I drove the new VW Amarok – Ford took care of the underneath and it’s all the better for it

YOU’LL never see Erling Haaland join Liverpool on loan.

Or Merc lend Red Bull a fiver.

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Or Kate do Meghan’s make-up.

But in the van world, it is not uncommon for rivals to team up to cut cost.

For example, a Vauxhall Vivaro is a Citroen Dispatch is a Peugeot Expert is a Fiat Scudo is a Toyota Proace.

Same vans just different lipstick.

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Now the two biggest players, Ford and Volkswagen, have joined forces to develop and build stuff for each other.

The next Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter will be twins — and Ford is making both.

The next 2-tonne Transit and VW Crafter will be twins — and Ford is making both.

And guess what?

This new VW Amarok is a re-skinned Ford Ranger — and Ford is making both.

That’s why I’m here in South Africa, where Ford’s pick-up truck factory will churn them out side-by-side.

It’s also home to a lovely seaside town called Llandudno which tickled me no end.

You reach it via a spectacular coastal road called Chapman’s Peak, which is like our Great Orme, times ten.

Right, Amarok. Let’s crack on.

Amarok went off sale in 2019 and now it’s back bigger and better in every department — and still with a meaty V6 diesel.

The cargo space is bigger. The rear cabin space is bigger. It’s tougher in the rough stuff. It can swim in deeper water. It will now tow 3,500kg. You can get a tent for the roof.

In short, it’s a proper do-it-all Swiss Army knife 4×4 ready for work or adventure and dropping the bin lids at school.

I say that because Amarok is also smarter, safer and easier to thread through town. Which, let’s be honest, is where it will spend most of its time.

Park like a pro

The old Amarok had hydraulic steering. This new one has electromechanical steering which is lighter at low speed and unlocks all sorts of driver-assistance kit.

It may look intimidating to drive at two-point-something tonnes but really it’s a pussycat. Just select D for drive and let the ten-speed auto do its own thing. All-round cameras help you park like a pro.

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VW freely admits all the hardware was sourced by Ford: engines, suspension, 4×4 system, and so on — but to its strict specifications.

Everything you see and touch is VW. Well, almost everything. The door handles and wing mirrors are lifted from Ranger.

As is the upright touchscreen, albeit with different software content.

The cabin is plush, the seats are super comfy, there’s lots of grab handles for climbing in and out — but Ranger is better thought out.

Ranger has proper buttons for the things we use most, air-con and volume, and big cup positioned up by your wrist and not down by your elbow. Little details but they matter.

One good thing VW has adopted from Ford is the electric tonneau load cover. We like that. Until it gets clogged up with sand.

Price? Well, it’s a VW so it’s always going to cost a little bit more than a Ford. The double-cab Amarok, in standard trim with a 170hp 2-litre four-cylinder diesel, will cost a smidge over £30k plus vodka and tonic.

The 240hp 3-litre V6 will start around £43k.

So, the question is: Which should you buy, Ranger or Amarok?

Whichever badge you like best.

They’re both big, strong units like Haaland.

And they’re both better for playing nicely together.

• As part of the tie-up, VW is building the Caddy and Ford Transit Connect.