The features of the German Army's new Mercedes-Benz Wolf 2 off-road vehicle

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a world-famous off-roader that is about to begin a new chapter in the German Army.

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The story of this off-roader didn't begin in Germany, but in Persia. In the 1970s, the Shah of Persia, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, asked Mercedes-Benz for a new off-road vehicle for his army. The German brand developed the G-Class (from Geländewagen, meaning "all-terrain" in German) in response to that request, opening it to the civilian market in 1979, where it became a sales success.

In the military market, the G-Class was sold to 48 operators, making it one of the most successful utility SUVs. Interestingly, the first military operator was not the German Army, but the Argentine Army, which began receiving it in 1981.

In Germany, the G-Class had to wait a few years before entering service, replacing the Volkswagen Iltis from 1989 onwards. The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) called this vehicle "Wolf", acquiring more than 12,000 units in 50 different variants.

In 2008, the Bundeswehr acquired 137 units of the armored version LAPV Enok (above) in its 5.4 variant, with a second order for 84 units of the 6.1 version in 2015, mostly (53 units) for the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), the Special Forces Command.

After so many years in service, the Mercedes-Benz Wolf was in need of a replacement. The Bundeswehr has chosen an improved version of its excellent all-terrain vehicle: the Wolf 2 (above, right), with a look very similar to its predecessor (left).

The Wolf 2 is larger than the Wolf: it measures 4.8 meters long (compared to 4.2 for its predecessor), 1.9 meters wide, and 2.18 meters high. It is also more powerful: 183 kW compared to 115 kW for the most powerful versions of the Wolf. In addition, the Wolf 2 has a maximum torque of 600 Nm, which is three times more than the Wolf's 200 Nm.

One of the main new features of the Wolf 2 is that it incorporates an automatic transmission, compared to the Wolf's manual transmission. The new vehicle has a permissible total weight of 4.5 tons, with a payload of 1,200 kilograms.

The Bundeswehr has highlighted the digitalization of the new vehicle: "With the successor to the Wolf, the iconic multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle, troops are not only receiving a powerful and robust replacement, but also the first vehicle to arrive at the barracks yard equipped as standard with the new D-LBO Digitalization Land-Based Operations digital radio and command equipment."

The Bundeswehr has put the Wolf 2 through extensive testing, covering 16,000 kilometers on various surfaces: "During the driving cycles, the vehicle is inspected for damage or signs of wear. These findings form the basis for planning the vehicle's spare parts inventory and maintenance intervals", the German Armed Forces note.

Tests with the Wolf 2 have also assessed whether it can be suspended from a helicopter, whether it meets the required wading and climbing capabilities, and whether it can be safely loaded onto a railway track. "In addition, a test is carried out in the climatic chamber, where the all-terrain vehicle is kept at temperatures ranging from -34°C to +49°C and exposed to various weather conditions, such as humidity. Its functionality must be guaranteed under all circumstances, as far as possible without restrictions."

In May, the Bundeswehr stated: "The first five vehicles were to be delivered in November 2024. If all required tests are completed successfully and on time, the first production vehicles are expected to be available by the end of 2025."

In total, the German Armed Forces expect to have up to 5,800 Wolf 2 vehicles by the end of 2032. So far, 1,200 units of this model have been ordered.

The Bundeswehr expects this new model to remain in service for at least 20 years. Thus, the G-Class will remain one of the distinctive vehicles of the German Army even after more than half a century of service in its various versions.

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Photos: Bundeswehr.