My wife and I were in the VW Wolfsburg plant on a factory tour a few days after the "VW Gate" thing blew up. We asked our VW guide about it and he stood ramrod straight and did a perfect rendition of Sergeant Schultz saying "I know nothing" and we moved on. It was hilarious, he was a big man and even looked a bit like Sgt Schultz.

I've been holding on to my 2016 3.0l Amarok in the hopes that the new one would be better.... I might have it for a tad longer than expected. I drove all the competition before buying the VW last time. The VW was far superior in every way in my opinion. I guess I'll just have to drive the new one back to back with the Ranger and then decide (maybe). Thank you for the heads up John.

Within other industries (tech is a good example) there is a disclaimer from the reviewer about their relationship with the manufacturer and if it was paid or not. I wish the car industry was more transparent to give an unbiased opinion.

You are dead right: it looks like a toned down Triton. Even SsangYong owners will point and laugh!

Well said John. That opportunity was well worth playing the long game for. I'm still chuckling after VW Italys' last effort.

20 engineers shipped here, maybe our laws are a bit more lax about gassing monkeys to prove diesel exhaust is safe from VW badges

John, you are a cynical bastard and I bloody love it! Keep up the great and honest work…. Volkswa Genitalia, gets me every time I think about it 😂

“Have been on the receiving end of this three or four times”

South African motoring journalist here. I get what you say about car manufacturers trying to influence the media, but South Africans clearly don't have it as bad as you do. I have both written and read scathing reviews about cars in South African magazines, newspapers and online. Sure, some moto journos do pander to manufacturers but most do not. I recently lambasted Toyota (their ads are on the ifc and obc of our mag) and they didn't batt an eye because I was being truthful and they knew it. Australian media must really suck for you to be so salty about journalistic integrity.

I love Paul's build quality test where he shakes the center console and dashboard, then says "seems pretty well put together". Thanks Paul.

Love seeing you stick it to the man John. If a company behaves in a certain way, they most definitely should be treated in a certain way.

Hey John I can see you really enjoyed doing this episode. Loved it.

Definitely not unfair to VAG. The cost cutting across all their models is obvious if you look for it.

Good evening Mister Innuendo. You are again right on the money. I've worked for 6 years in AutoEuropa, in Portugal, back in the day when they produced their 1st MPV. It happens that it was a joint venture between Ford and VW. We produced the VW Sharan, the SEAT Alhambra (VW Group) and the Ford Galaxy. The car was essentially the same (the Ford even got the 1.9 TDI and the VR6 engines). The absolute only differences were cosmetic. Headlights and tail lights were a bit different and some of the trimmings as well. But nevertheless, the advertisements stated character differences. And you know what? People had real arguments stating that one vehicle was better than the other. Go figure. P.R. didn't have it hard to convince their one public.

Bejangers, as you said VW has done a Mercedes by taking a mid-ish priced Ute, putting in some flash bits and chrome plastic bobs and upping the price by many tens of thousands!

Another gem John, keep up the great work.!!

John - thanks for giving us a inside into the reality of car reviews and jornalism 👍

This would have to be one of, if not your best reports. Multiple laughs had at this end! Thanks!

A good report John. I had a serious talk with a very good friend of mine who was going to buy a VW, I gave hime all the facts and told him to check it out. He bought a KIA (KN car) and saved a bundle to boot.

Could it be the VW is tuned to output more noxious gas?