Mercedes-Benz W 31
Mercedes -Benz G4 in the Auto and Technik Museum Sinsheim
The three-axle off-road vehicle Mercedes -Benz G4 emerged as a serious off-road vehicles for the Wehrmacht in 1934. After the first attempt in 1926 with the type G1 Daimler -Benz is now launching another startup. The model wore the internal model designation W 31
The cars were designed as a seven-seater touring car or closed limousines. Because of its high weight of 3.7 tons of G4 was used primarily to represent on the road.
In the first three years of production, they had above -controlled eight-cylinder in-line engines with 5018 cc capacity, which delivers a maximum of 100 hp ( 74 kW). A non-synchromesh four-speed gearbox with gear manages the power to all four rear wheels or optional on to all six wheels. The rear wheels are attached to two rigid axles, at a distance of 950 mm, which are suspended on common semi-elliptical leaf springs. The front axle is rigid and has semi-elliptic springs. All six wheels have hydraulic brakes with Saugluftunterstützung. The maximum speed is 67 km / h Only eleven of these vehicles were delivered to the Wehrmacht.
From 1937, a more powerful engine was installed. It has 5252 cc and delivers 115 hp ( 84.5 kW). The performance remained - limited by the type of terrain tire - the same. 1937 and 1938 were built 16 vehicles.
In 1938 an even larger motor used. He had 5401 cc, but delivers only 110 hp ( 81 kW). After the Reich Chancellery ordered some vehicles for Adolf Hitler and his staff - employed as commander cars eg the occupation of Austria and the annexation of the so-called remainder of Czechoslovakia - was Daimler -Benz in the last year of production in 1939 once again settle for 30 cars.
Of the 57 cars at least 6 examples have survived, one in the Auto and Technik Museum Sinsheim ( Germany ). Another G4, originally a gift from Hitler to General Franco, is located in the car collection of the Spanish royal family.
Another is located in the United States, Hollywood ( California). In the series "Hogan 's Heroes" (Original Title: Hogan's Heroes ), he appears in the opening credits and some scenes of the series. This vehicle also comes in other Hollywood films, mainly in war movies before.
In the USA, a classic car collector has three W 31 identified. These were offered for sale, including a blue convertible, a dark radio or radio car, and a Wehrmacht gray W 31 with a closed structure. The special feature of the convertible was that the front passenger seat could be folded up, so it was possible to stand upright in the car.