Generally speaking people like affordable yet safe and easy to drive vehicles. You might think that this combination of features might only be found on hatchbacks and some sedans but that's not always the case. Pickup trucks such as the Amarok from VW is an affordable, yet highly capable and safe vehicle that everyone can drive even on the most challenging of terrains.

The Amarok may seem like an off-roading only vehicle but it can provide the same experience on city roads too. This 4x4 pickup truck is robust and reliable just like the majority of VW vehicles. But despite the Amarok being an excellent off-roading and city commuter you can never go wrong by bumping up its performance with a simple accessory – a throttle controller.

An electronic throttle controller is a device that can help regulate the throttle response of your VW Amarok. While you already have such a system in your Amarok things can get a bit jittery after a while. So adding an Amarok throttle controller is often a convenient solution that can help get rid of throttle lag and improve performance. A throttle controller is also known as being able to improve the fuel efficiency of your Amarok as long as you get the right one and set it up correctly.

When I say a simple accessory, I mean an accessory that is simple to set up and install. The inner workings of throttle controllers are not simple at all but they are not rocket science either. An Amarok throttle controller works a lot like a drive-by-wire system. Except with an electronic throttle controller, everything is adjusted with the help of electrical signals. A throttle controller also learns from your driving style and over time it gets better at adjusting the throttle response so it suits your driving needs best. So the more you drive with a throttle controller the better it gets for you and your Amarok.

1. Installing a VW throttle controller is easy and it starts by locating the original accelerator connector. This connector is found behind the accelerator pedal. Unplug that connector and get the one that comes with your VW throttle controller.

2. Place the connector that came with the throttle controller where the original one was and then use the piggyback connector that usually comes with the throttle controller and use it to connect the original connector to the new one.

3. This link between the two connectors is crucial as it allows the controller to work. Once you have everything plugged in properly set the throttle controller somewhere on the dashboard where it won't be in the way of other controls. Make sure to run the cable through the steering column so it doesn't dangle around while driving.

4. Mount the controller using some double-sided tape and then start your Amarok. With your Amarok running turn on the controller and let it configure its settings on its own. Usually, this is the case with most VW throttle controllers. Other types of throttle controllers will need a little bit of input from your side when setting them up for the first time.

More advanced throttle controllers or also known as programmers require you to set them up manually. This induces regulating the throttle response and setting a mode. You also get to create a custom mode with advanced throttle controllers. Advanced throttle controllers will also have a display to show information about your Amarok's throttle response system.

Standard throttle controllers or also known as plug-n-play throttle controllers are made to be used by people new to this technology. They do have modes on them but these modes are usually preexisting. You can't make a mode of your own with most standard VW throttle controllers but there are some that allow you to make a limited number of custom modes.

But there are typically three different modes, eco, performance and auto mode. The auto mode adjusts the throttle response of your Amarok as you drive it while the other two have predetermined parameters that are applied no matter how you drive your Amarok. With the eco mode, you get to save on fuel while with performance mode you get to save your sanity when driving on hills and the motorway.

Who doesn't want to install a simple and effective device that doesn't take up much space in their Amarok and improve the two most important parameters? Performance and fuel consumption may be two conflicting specs but they can be used together to provide a more seamless driving experience and a more efficient vehicle. Your Amarok doesn't have to be a petrol hungry vehicle unless you choose so but having that extra option is always help no matter how hard you push your Amarok.