Pinzgauer

Details: Category: Pinzgauer; Last Updated on Sunday, 02 October 2011 14:18; Written by Site Admin; Hits: 4108

The Pinzgauer is the name given to a series of of high mobility all-terrain four-wheel drive and six-wheel drive utility vehicles which are maily used in military applications. They are manufactured in the United Kingdom by BAE Systems.

The vehicle was originally developed in the late 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Graz, Austria, and was named after the Pinzgauer, an Austrian breed of horse. It was popular amongst military buyers, and continued in production throughout the rest of the century. In 2000 the rights were sold to Automotive Technik Ltd (ATL) in the UK. ATL was subsequently acquired by Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc. in 2005; in May 2006, Stewart & Stevenson became a subsidiary of the aerospace and defence group Armor Holdings, Inc.. One year later, Armor Holdings was itself acquired by BAE Systems plc.

BAE continue to support the Pinzgauer, and further development of the Pinzgauer has produced the Pinzgauer II and Pinzgauer Mantis range.

Pinzgauer 710 (4x4) and 712 (6x6)

The original prototype was developed around 1969 and production began in 1971, as successor of the Steyr-Daimler-Puch Haflinger 700 AP 4x4 light military multi purpose offroad vehicle. Pinzgauer 710 and 712 models were produced until 2000 by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in their factory in Graz, Austria. It continues to be in use with many armies around the world like Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Albania, and Bolivia.

Pinzgauer 710m

The Pinzgauer is reputedly one of the most capable all-terrain vehicles ever made. While not as fast as the American High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), it can carry more troops. Even the smaller 710M can carry 10 people or two NATO pallets. Both the 4x4 and 6x6 models can tow 5,000 kilograms (11,023 lb) on road; and 1,500 kilograms (3,307 lb) or 1,800 kilograms (3,968 lb), respectively, off-road. It has a range of over 400 kilometres (249 miles) on one tank of fuel, or nearly 700 kilometres (435 miles) with the optional 125 litre tank.

The Pinzgauer was designed to be reliable and easy to fix; it is shipped with an air-cooled dual-Zenith 36mm NDIX carburetor (as in Porsche 956) 2.5 litre petrol engine, although some later 6x6 specialist variants were given a 2.7 litre engine. The engine in the Pinzgauer was specifically designed for the vehicle. It has more than one oil pump so that the engine will not get starved of oil no matter how the vehicle is orientated. A 24 volt electrical system was standard on the 710 and 712.

The Pinzgauer has a chassis design which contributes to its high mobility. It has a central tube chassis with a transaxle which distributes the weight more evenly, and keeps the centre of gravity as low as possible. The differentials are all sealed units and require minimal additional lubrication. The Pinzgauer also has portal axles like the Unimog to provide extra clearance over obstacles. The 710 4x4 was the more popular variant, but the Pinzgauer was designed to have a very capable 6x6 configuration from the start. The rear suspension on the back of the 6x6 712 is designed to provide maximum traction in the most demanding circumstances along with increasing its towing, load carrying, and off-road abilities.

Pinzgauer 712

During production from 1971 until 1985, 18,349 first-generation 710s and 712s were produced and sold to both civilian and government buyers.

Pinzgauer 716 (4x4) and 718 (6x6)

In 1980, Steyr-Daimler-Puch began development on a new Pinzgauer. After years of research and development, the initial second generation Pinzgauer rolled off the assembly line in 1986. In 2000, Magna, who now owned Steyr-Daimler-Puch, sold the rights to the Pinzgauer to Automotive Technik Ltd in the UK. They took over production of the Pinzgauer, transferring manufacture to the UK. The Pinzgauer is now owned and produced by BAE Systems in Guildford, Surrey, UK.

Pinzgauer 716m

The new 716 model has the same payload rating as the old 712, and the new 718 also has a similarly uprated payload capacity. There were a few minor changes to the design of the Pinzgauer. The vehicles were now equipped with a six cylinder Volkswagen Group Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI)diesel engine, ZF four-speed automatic transmission, or five-speed manual transmission, a slightly wider track, and disc brakes.

The second generation Pinzgauer has had several minor revisions through its life, unlike the first generation which used the same design throughout production. The first of the second-generation Pinzgauers were designated P80 (1980). Was updated in 1990 (P90), and 1993 (P93), and had an engine change in 2002 to meet the new Euro3 emissions requirements.

Pinzgauer 718

The Pinzgauer was introduced to the British Army as a replacement for the RB-44 and Land Rover 1 Tonne FC and now sees wider use throughout the British Military. The Pinzgauer is commonly used as a utility vehicle in Royal Artillery units due to its employment as a light gun tractor.

British Army Pinzgauer

Armoured Pinzgauer

In 2004 an armoured 6x6 Pinzgauer was unveiled. Developed jointly between ATL and specialist armoured vehicle builder MacNeillie's of Walsall, It provided protection against firearms including 7.62mm rifle fire.

Armoured Pinzgauer

Pinzgauer Vector(6x6)

A new armoured version called the 'Vector' entered service in the British Army in early 2007, as part of an effort to provide safer patrol vehicles for troops in Afghanistan. The 6x6 Vector PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle), was designed to provide better protection against attack, employing sophisticated electronic counter measures to maximise survivability while on patrol. However, the Vector PPV was found to have unreliable suspension and wheel hubs as well as poor protection against improvised explosive devices. It quickly lost the confidence of field commanders and was withdrawn from service.

Pinzgauer Vector

Pinzgauer Sales

Many Pinzgauers were sold to military forces to be used as non-tactical utility vehicles. Typical military roles are as general purpose utility truck, command vehicles, troop carrier, ambulance, and tow vehicle. Roles very similar to other civilian sourced CUCV vehicles like Land Rover in the UK, the Blazer CUCV in the US, and Geländewagen (G-Wagen) in many European countries. The New Zealand Army has purchased 321 Pinzgauer vehicles in 8 variants to fulfill the Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) role.

The Malaysian Army purchased 168 2 Ton 4x4 716 Gun Tractors and 164 2 Ton 6x6 718 Mortar Transporters to replace older Volvo C303 and Volvo C304 in their inventories.

The Pinzgauer was also marketed to the civilian marketplace worldwide for use as campers, farm trucks, ambulances, fire-trucks, and rescue vehicles. Pinzgauers were also used extensively by energy companies for oil exploration purposes.

Pinzgauer II (6x6) and Pinzgauer 'Mantis' (6x6)

Although the Pinzgauer 'Vector' did not win new friends, BAE had already been working on an uprated Pinzgauer design, and by September 2007 were able to unveil their new 6x6, the Pinzgauer II. The new Pinzgauer II is fitted with a Euro 4-compliant, six-cylinder, 145kW-output engine, enhanced air suspension and flexible armour packaging.

The construction of the vehicle allows for easy adaptation for special purposes, whether as a protected troop carrier or high-volume application. The base platform may also be fitted with a shelter body or other specialist equipment. The vehicle offers additional height and width, with an increased 3.8-tonne payload capacity - suitable for loads that include two standard NATO pallets, up to 14 personnel with full kit, plus a wide range and mix of other equipment.

Pinzgauer 2

Pinzgauer II

The Pinzgauer II is also available with a new bonnet-out-front design called 'Mantis' which complements the more traditional cab-forward design. The new Mantis reputedly offers additional mine blast protection capability on top of the other new enhancements in the Pinzgauer II. The new vehicle design also offers enhances ride quality, making it equally ideal for use as an ambulance or as a carrier for electronics and sensitive weapons systems.

Pinzgauer Mantis