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.[1] 564 units of the Kommandeurswagen were produced[3]; in November 1946[4], the Volkswagen plant produced two more vehicles. No new parts were produced for them; instead, old depot parts were used.

Volkswagen Typ 87
VW Typ 87
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagenwerk GmbH
Also called	Kommandeurswagen
Production	1941-1944
Assembly	Stadt des KdF-Wagens
Designer	Ferdinand Porsche[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Military vehicle
Body style	2-door saloon
Layout	Rear engine, all wheel drive
Platform	VW Typ 166 / KdF-Wagen
Related	Volkswagen Typ 166 Schwimmwagen
Powertrain
Engine	Otto (1131 cm^3, 18 kW)
Transmission	4+1-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	3,830 mm (150.8 in)
Width	1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Height	1,720 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 drive shaft.[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

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
Displacement	1131 cm^3
Rated power	18 kW (24 hp) at 3000 min^−1
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 mm (150.8 in) × 1,620 mm (63.8 in) × 1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Ground clearance	255 mm (10.0 in)
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Track width	front: 1,356 mm (53.4 in) rear: 1,360 mm (53.5 in)
Turning radius	5 m
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
Source	[2]

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