VW ILTIS

When the first clouds were gathering over the French-Italian-German tri­lateral programme to design and build a scout car for the forces of all three countries, which ended in the ill-fated VCL, some German Firms began to de­sign vehicles to meet the future needs of the German armed forces.

When the VCL programme was finally sunk, the firms that had foreseen the situation submitted their proposals to the German Army, which after careful study selected the vehicle designed and built by Volkswagen.

Actually, VW had drawn on its long experience of building vehicles such as the VW 181, to say nothing of all its commercial vehicles, and had concentrated on getting a perfect combination of standard-production commercial components with new specially built subsystems. The design and engineering of the ILTIS thus trace their ancestry to various proven ideas. The general design harks back to the old Auto-Union MUNGA, on a larger scale and with the improvements dictated by the passing of the years. The engine is of classical VW construction and benefits from experience acquired with the VW GOLF and AUDI models.

The layout is conventional, with front engine, central passenger accommoda­tion, without doors, and load deck at the rear. The car is open, with a strong roll bar behind the front seats in case of overturning, but a canvas tilt and the necessary framework are carried for use in bad weather. The load deck area can be considerably increased by removing the rear seat. Overall dimensions are: length: 3.88 m, width 1.52 m, height 1.8 m. The useful ground clearance of 245 mm enables the car to operate over very rough ground.

Mechanically, the car incorporates the latest features found in VWs civil cars. The 1714 c.c. overhead-camshaft four-cylinder gasoline engine develops 75 HP at 5500 r. p. m. and gives the car a top speed of 120 km/h, which is as good as that of western counterparts used for the kind of duties that will presumably be required of the vehicle. Following the example of the latest cross-country vehicles, there is independent suspension all round. The gearbox has five forward speeds and reverse, all with synchromesh. The dry weight is 1300 kg and all-up weight is 2000 kg, including a payload of 500 kg. The 24-volt electrical system has two 45-Ah batteries and a 55-amp alternator. The performance is good, though not as outstanding as that of some American cars undergoing trials. The car can climb a maximum gradient of about 60 % and has a maximum fording capability of 0.6 m without preparation.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: length 3.8 m, width 1.5 m, height 1.8 m, ground clearance 245 mm. Weights: dry 1300 kg, gross 2000 kg, useful load 700 kg. Engine: 1714 c. c. liquid-cooled 4-cylinder gasoline engine with overhead camshaft, developing 75 HP at 5500 rpm. Gearbox with 5 forward speeds and reverse, all synchromesh. Suspension: independent front and rear.

Performance: maximum speed 120 km/h, maximum gradient 60%, maxi­mum fording depth without preparation 0.6 m.

Tyres: 6.50x16 R.

Equipment: drop-down windscreen; canvas tilt, roll bar, folding backs to front seats, rear bench seat with split back, outside rear-view mirrors, rifle holster, emergency equipment under bonnet, fuel tank in protected position.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-25