The organisation opted for the Volkswagen Amarok as the ideal solution to replace its long-standing 4x4, with the Amarok’ s excellent off-road capabilities and class-leading load capacity key factors in the decision.
Specialising in the rescue of missing people, SurSAR covers large areas of wilderness on a day-to-day basis, and required a vehicle that could perform on all terrains. The Amarok was the perfect fit for the team combining innovative technology including ESP and off-road ABS, with an impressive load area of 2.5 m2.
The Amarok has been converted to purpose for SurSAR’ s search and rescue operations and is the first of its kind to be in active service in the UK. Working as SurSAR’ s initial response vehicle, the Amarok carries essential medical equipment and is fitted with the latest GPS tracking technology.
The Amarok’ s permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive system delivers optimal off-road performance and gives the team the ability to tackle steep gradients of up to 45 ° and power through water depths of up to half a metre.
An innovative feature of the SurSAR Amarok is a large TV monitor installed on its custom hardtop, which can connect to one of the team’ s unmanned aerial vehicles( UAV). The screen provides the team with real-time information relayed from the UAV to give an airborne view of the area, allowing them to look for any changes in terrain or colours that may indicate a missing person below. When on the road the screen flips up for unobstructed driver visibility.
Séamus Kearns, SurSAR Head of Operations, said:‘ The Volkswagen Amarok is already proving itself a valuable asset for the team, fully meeting our requirements both on- and off-road. The Amarok’ s ground clearance, ruggedness and capacity to operate in half a metre of water, more than matched the performance of the 4x4 vehicle it replaced.
‘ The Amarok’ s spacious interior offers the team a comfortable and refined ride, providing ample room for our crew and their kit. The 180 PS BiTurbo engine has also delivered outstanding performance, making the Amarok a very capable tow vehicle which is ideally suited to transporting the team’ s RIB.’
For further information on the Amarok visit: www. volkswagen-vans. co. uk.
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