1978
Volkswagen Iltis
The VW Iltis was developed as a NATO military vehicle, replacing the older DKW Munga. Its all-wheel independent suspension with equal-length driveshafts was unprecedented for a military utility vehicle. The Iltis won the 1980 Paris-Dakar Rally outright — defeating purpose-built off-road vehicles in its first major competition outing.
4×4 Military Utility
Technical Specifications
| Engine | 1.7L Audi EA827 Inline-4 (75 hp) |
| Horsepower | 75 hp |
| Torque | 134 Nm |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual + 2-speed transfer |
| Drivetrain | Permanent 4×4, equal-length driveshafts all round |
| Payload | 400 kg |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Curb Weight | 1,370 kg |
| MSRP Range | Military procurement |