The Porsche 597 Jagdwagen: NATO-Inspired All-Terrain Light Military Vehicle

With the front axle engaged by a lever and the first gear being extremely short, they were sent to the rear axle via a manual, five-speed gearbox. Independent suspension, excellent slope angles, and a climbing ability of 65% allowed the Type 597 to thrill even in challenging terrain. The vehicle’s weight ranged from 1918 to 2182 pounds depending on the type, and its top speed was roughly 62 mph. The 597 was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show because Porsche was so proud of the new invention.

Porsche had previously modified its prototypes at that time to include five synchronized gears and an on-board voltage of 24 volts. The fleet of tested cars traveled about 3,600 miles in all. Porsche had to take note of criticism of the suspension, the tiny interior with little storage space, and the inadequate pulling power at low and medium revs in addition to praise for robustness, simplicity, and decent maintenance possibilities.