Volkswagen Kübelwagen
| VW type 82 "Kübelwagen" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagenwerk GmbH |
| Also called | Safari, "Bucket/Tub Car" |
| Production | 50,435 (1940–45) |
| Assembly | Stadt des KDF-Wagens, today Wolfsburg |
| Designer | Ferdinand Porsche |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Military vehicle |
| Body style | 4-door utility roadster |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Platform | VW Type 1 Kdf-Wagen |
| Related |
VW 166 Schwimmwagen VW 276 Schlepperfahrzeug |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | air-cooled flat-4, 985 cc (23.5 bhp (17.5 kW))/ 1,131 cc (25 bhp (19 kW)) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual; self-locking differential |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 240 cm (94 in) |
| Length | 374 cm (147 in) |
| Width | 160 cm (63 in) |
| Height | 165 cm (65 in) (top up); 111 cm (44 in) collapsible |
| Curb weight | 715 kg (1,576 lb) (GVW 1,160 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen Schwimmwagen |
| Successor | Volkswagen 181/Kurierwagen/Thing/Trekker |
The Volkswagen Kübelwagen (
listen ) (literally, "Tub" car, previously mostly used for rail, industrial or agricultural hopper cars) was a light military vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche and built by Volkswagen during World War II for use by the German military (both Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS). Based heavily on the Volkswagen Beetle, it was prototyped as the Type 62, but eventually became known internally as the Type 82.
Kübelwagen is an abbreviation of Kübelsitzwagen, meaning "bucket-seat car" because all German light military vehicles that had no doors were fitted with bucket seats to prevent passengers from falling out. The first VW test vehicles had no doors and were therefore fitted with bucket seats, so acquiring the name VW Kübelsitzwagen that was later shortened to Kübelwagen. Mercedes, Opel and Tatra also built Kübel(sitz)wagens.
With its rolling chassis and mechanics built at Stadt des KdF-Wagens (renamed Wolfsburg after 1945), and its body built by US-owned firm Ambi Budd Presswerke in Berlin, the Kübelwagen was for the Germans what the Jeep and GAZ-67 were for the Allies.
Although Adolf Hitler discussed with Ferdinand Porsche the possibility of military application of the Volkswagen as early as April 1934, it was not until January 1938 that high-ranking Third Reich army officials formally approached Porsche about designing an inexpensive, light-weight military transport vehicle, that could be operated reliably both on- and off-road, in even the most extreme conditions. This implied that the Beetle could provide the basis for such a vehicle.
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Wikipedia