Volkswagen Kommandeurswagen

The Volkswagen Typ 87, also known as the Kommandeurswagen, was a World War II, four-wheel-drive version of the Volkswagen Beetle.[1] It was produced from 1941 to 1944 by the Volkswagen plant, primarily for the Wehrmacht.[1] The Wehrmacht classified the Kommandeurswagen as leichter geländegängiger PKW, 4-sitziger, 4-radgetriebener Geländewagen Typ 87.[2] ("light offroad passenger car, four seats, all wheel drive offroad vehicle Type 87"). The drivetrain and the engine are the same as in the Volkswagen Typ 166 Schwimmwagen amphibious vehicle.[1] 564 units of the Kommandeurswagen were produced;[3] in November 1946,[4] the Volkswagen plant produced two more vehicles using parts from stores.

Volkswagen Typ 87
VW Typ 87
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagenwerk GmbH
Also calledKommandeurswagen
Production1941-1944
AssemblyStadt des KdF-Wagens
DesignerFerdinand Porsche[1]
Body and chassis
ClassMilitary vehicle
Body style2-door saloon
LayoutRear engine, all wheel drive
PlatformVW Typ 166 / KdF-Wagen
RelatedVolkswagen Typ 166 Schwimmwagen
Powertrain
EnginePetrol (1131 cm3, 18 kW)
Transmission4+1-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length3,830 mm (150.8 in)
Width1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Height1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Kommandeurswagen in Oslo, Norway.

Description

The Typ 87 is a 2-door offroad saloon. The visual appearance is similar to the KdF-Wagen, because the KdF-Wagen body was also used for the Typ 87. Due to the 5¼-16 offroad tyres, the wings had to be increased in size with an additional metal strip next to the bonnet and boot.[1] The running-board strips were also made wider.[5] While the boot of the KdF-Wagen holds a spare wheel in front of the fuel tank, the Typ 87 has an additional 20 l fuel canister instead at the same place. The spare wheel is located on top of the 40 l fuel tank, which has a modified filler neck.[5] Chassis and body are connected with screws. By default, the Kommandeurswagen has a sunroof.[5]

Like the VW Typ 166, the Typ 87 has a modified KdF-Wagen chassis.[1] The backbone tube was increased in diameter to hold the additional cardan shaft for the front wheel drive.[1] The steering knuckles were modified for the driveshaft.[1] A worm and sector steering was used.[2] The rear axle is equipped with reduction gears, both front and rear axle differentials are lockable.[1] A single disc dry clutch[2] transmits the torque from the engine to the manual four-speed gearbox which is equipped with an additional offroad gear.[1] The offroad gear is activated with a lever, as well as the front wheel drive.[1] With activated front wheel drive, the top speed is 10 km/h (6 mph) and the maximum slope climbing angle is 33.75°. The Typ 87 is powered by an air-cooled flat-four-cylinder-otto engine with a displacement of 1131 cm3 and a rated power of 18 kW (24 hp).[5]

Vehicles made for the German Africa Corps were often equipped with the tropic equipment. The tropic equipment protects the air filter, the carburettor and the electrics from dust.[5] In addition to that, sand tyres are also a part of the tropic equipment. Those tyres are called Kronprinzräder.[6]

Technical data

Specification[2]
Engine
Engine layout Four-cylinder, flat-engine (Otto)
Cooling Air-cooling with fan
Valvetrain OHV
Fuel system Carburettor Solex 26 VF3
Firing order 1-4-3-2
Bore × Stroke 75 mm × 64 mm (3.0 in × 2.5 in)
Displacement 1,131 cm3
Rated power 18 kW (24 hp) at 3,000 rpm
Drivetrain
Clutch Single disc dry clutch Fichtel & Sachs K10
Gearbox Porsche 4-speed gearbox with additional offroad and reverse gear
Drive Rear wheel drive with switchable front wheel drive and locking differentials
Chassis
Frame Backbone tube chassis
Front springs Torsion bar
Rear springs
Steering Worm and sector
Brake system Drum brakes
Tyres front and rear 5,25-16 or 200-16
Dimensions and weights
Dimensions (L × W × H) 3.830 m (150.8 in) × 1.620 m (63.8 in) × 1.720 m (67.7 in)
Ground clearance 255 mm (10.0 in)
Wheelbase 2.400 m (94.5 in)
Track width front: 1.356 m (53.4 in)
rear: 1.360 m (53.5 in)
Turning radius 5 m (16 ft)
Max. allowed weight 1,240 kg (2,734 lb)
Max. payload 450 kg (992 lb)
Additional data
Fuel consumption 8.5 l/100 km
Oil consumption 0.12 l/100 km
Fuel tank 40 l + 20 l canister
Top speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
Battery Lead-acid, 6 V, 75 Ah
Starter Bosch EED 0,4/6
Generator Bosch REDK 130/6/2600

References

  1. Mayer, page 30
  2. Mayer, page 34
  3. Mayer, page 33
  4. Mayer, page 47
  5. Mayer, page 32
  6. Mayer, page 31

Bibliography

  • Hans-Georg Mayer: Der VW-Käfer im Kriege und im militärischen Einsatz danach. Band 114 aus der Reihe Waffen-Arsenal, Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Dorheim 1988, ISBN 3-7909-0357-4. Page 30–34
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