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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