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magazine_articles:off-road_01_1981 [2026/08/18 21:08] – adminmagazine_articles:off-road_01_1981 [2026/08/23 18:11] (current) – admin
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 <WRAP>{{off-road_january_1981.pdf?linkonly|PDF (9,599 KB)}}</WRAP> <WRAP>{{off-road_january_1981.pdf?linkonly|PDF (9,599 KB)}}</WRAP>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
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-<WRAP authors_note 66%> 
-{{fa>thumb-tack|tack}}\_\_ The contents of the following article have been extracted from the original magazine article. For ease of use, some hyperlinks, reformatting, and minor modifications may have been made. 
-</WRAP> 
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-For more magazine articles, see [[:magazine_articles|Iltis-related Magazine Articles]]. 
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 ====== Polecat Power: Volkswagen's Iltis ====== ====== Polecat Power: Volkswagen's Iltis ======
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 By Richard Laurence By Richard Laurence
  
-<WRAP right> +<WRAP clear_both /> 
-{{:magazine_articles:off-road_january_1981_1.png?nolink&600|}}+<html><hr/></html> 
 +<WRAP authors_note> 
 +{{fa>thumb-tack|tack}}\_\_ The following has been extracted from the original magazine article. For ease of use, some hyperlinks, reformatting, and minor modifications may have been made. 
 +</WRAP> 
 + 
 +<WRAP right 600px> 
 +{{:magazine_articles:off-road_january_1981_1.png?nolink|}}\\ 
 +Light-colored cloth top is standard equipment. Rear Window rolls up, and the tire and fuel-can carrier swings away.
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
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 The Iltis’ wheel suspension is independent with double wishbones front and rear. Shock absorbers are telescopic and damp the action of transverse semi-elliptical springs which are mounted on subframes. To reduce spare parts requirements and to make field maintenance less complex, each complete driveshaft/hub/wheel assembly is interchangeable with the other three. And, the Iltis features rack-and-pinion steering.  The Iltis’ wheel suspension is independent with double wishbones front and rear. Shock absorbers are telescopic and damp the action of transverse semi-elliptical springs which are mounted on subframes. To reduce spare parts requirements and to make field maintenance less complex, each complete driveshaft/hub/wheel assembly is interchangeable with the other three. And, the Iltis features rack-and-pinion steering. 
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 +<WRAP right 600px>
 +{{:magazine_articles:off-road_january_1981_2.png?nolink|}}\\
 +Phantom drawing shows front-drive and 4WD systems, double wishbones at all four wheels and location of tranverse leaf springs.
 +</WRAP>
  
 Military vehicles aren't designed to be beautiful—and the Iltis certainly isn't. VW stylists, however, have redeemed the situation somewhat with installation of wide tires, fender flares, stripes and a nifty fiberglass top. Standard weather protection is a light-colored ragtop that conceals a heavy tubular steel rollbar. Military vehicles aren't designed to be beautiful—and the Iltis certainly isn't. VW stylists, however, have redeemed the situation somewhat with installation of wide tires, fender flares, stripes and a nifty fiberglass top. Standard weather protection is a light-colored ragtop that conceals a heavy tubular steel rollbar.
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 A large instrument cluster faces the driver and is dominated by a speedometer the size of a Frisbee. Directional indicators and windshield wipers are operated by stalks on either side of the heavily padded steering wheel, and come directly from the VW Rabbit parts shelf. A large instrument cluster faces the driver and is dominated by a speedometer the size of a Frisbee. Directional indicators and windshield wipers are operated by stalks on either side of the heavily padded steering wheel, and come directly from the VW Rabbit parts shelf.
 +
 +<WRAP right 600px>
 +{{:magazine_articles:off-road_january_1981_3.png?nolink|}}\\
 +Civilian version of the battle Beetle features optional fiberglass top, stripes and wide-track tires.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP right 400px>
 +{{:magazine_articles:off-road_january_1981_4.png?nolink|}}\\
 +Iltis transmission/transfer gearing is located behind the dry-plate clutch and front-drive differential. Axle shafts are interchangeable.
 +</WRAP>
  
 When the off-road situation deteriorates sufficiently, the Iltis driver can resort to two levers located on the vehicle’s floor just forward of and between the driver and passenger bucket seats. On the left is the control for 4WD engagement. Operation is by a lift-and-twist-to-the-right action. Farther to the right is the handle for the differential locks. This T-bar lever works in the way identical to the 4WD lever, except that the twist is once to the right for rear lock, and one more twist to the right to lock-up the front-drive wheels. Both controls can be operated while the Iltis is rolling. When the off-road situation deteriorates sufficiently, the Iltis driver can resort to two levers located on the vehicle’s floor just forward of and between the driver and passenger bucket seats. On the left is the control for 4WD engagement. Operation is by a lift-and-twist-to-the-right action. Farther to the right is the handle for the differential locks. This T-bar lever works in the way identical to the 4WD lever, except that the twist is once to the right for rear lock, and one more twist to the right to lock-up the front-drive wheels. Both controls can be operated while the Iltis is rolling.
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 Because of its short wheelbase, the Iltis is not the most comfortable of vehicles, but neither is a CJ-5. The Polecat’s standard front skidplate, mounted beneath lower engine vitals, is really necessary in rough terrain running. The best way to maneuver an Iltis around outcrops and sharp turns is to drive into the corner as far as possible, crank the steering over, then back off the power. This technique works best because power stays longer at the front axle than at the rear; it’s fractional, but it works well. Because of its short wheelbase, the Iltis is not the most comfortable of vehicles, but neither is a CJ-5. The Polecat’s standard front skidplate, mounted beneath lower engine vitals, is really necessary in rough terrain running. The best way to maneuver an Iltis around outcrops and sharp turns is to drive into the corner as far as possible, crank the steering over, then back off the power. This technique works best because power stays longer at the front axle than at the rear; it’s fractional, but it works well.
 +
 +<WRAP right 600px>
 +{{:magazine_articles:off-road_january_1981_5.png?nolink|}}\\
 +In VW's sandy test course, the Iltis displays full low-range, lock-up traction.
 +</WRAP>
  
 On the steepest slope on the course, the Iltis was at last stopped by sand. Hanging on the side of a 60-degree incline can give any driver prickles at the back of the neck. This evolution didn’t bother the Iltis, though. Compound low gear was selected, both front and rear differentials were twisted into full lock, and the Polecat powered its way to the top of the hill as thought it were on asphalt. On the steepest slope on the course, the Iltis was at last stopped by sand. Hanging on the side of a 60-degree incline can give any driver prickles at the back of the neck. This evolution didn’t bother the Iltis, though. Compound low gear was selected, both front and rear differentials were twisted into full lock, and the Polecat powered its way to the top of the hill as thought it were on asphalt.