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Pinzgauer Info and Buildup
First Generation: The original prototype was produced in 1965 and production began in 1971, as successor of the Haflinger. This first generation model was produced until 1985 by Steyr-Daimler-Puch. The Pinzgauer is one of the most capable all-terrain vehicles ever made. It isn't as fast as a HMMWV but it can climb over rougher terrain and carry more payload. Even the smaller 710M can carry 10 people, or two NATO pallets. It can also tow 11,000 kg. It can drive 800 km on one tank of fuel and 2000 km with additional tanks. The first generation Pinzgauer is available in both four-wheel drive (model 710) and six-wheel drive (model 712) versions. The Pinzgauer was also designed to be reliable and easy to fix. That is why it comes with an air-cooled carbureted engine. Air-cooled carbureted engines are still in use in many small aircraft due to their reliability. This is partially due to the fact that air-cooled engines have been around longer, and partially due to the fact that they are simpler and have fewer parts. The engine in the pinzgauer is a special engine designed specially for it. It has more than one oil pump so that the engine will not get starved of oil no matter the orientation. It also has a very advanced chassis that gives it its high mobility. It has a central tube chassis with a transaxle which distributes the weight more evenly and keeps the center of gravity as low as possible. The differentials are all sealed units and never require additional lubrication. The pinzgauer also has portal axles just like the HMMWV, Hummer H1, and Unimog to provide extra clearance over obstacles. The 710 4x4 was the more popular variant, but the pinzgauer was designed to have a very capable 6x6 configuration from the start. The rear suspension on the back of the 6x6 712 is designed to provide maximum traction in the most demanding circumstances. During production from 1971 until 1985 18,349 first-generation 710s and 712s were produced and sold to both Civilian and Government buyers.
World Wide Use: The Pinzgauer is used quite widely in the United Kingdom as a fire engine in smaller towns and villages and is increasingly replacing the Land Rover Defender in the military utility vehicle role despite its high cost of upwards of US$100,000 per unit. A new version called the "Vector" is to enter service in the British Army in early 2007 as part of an effort to provide safer patrol vehicles for troops in Afghanistan. The 6x6 vector PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle) will, according to the manufacturer, "Build on the existing proven design, with enhancements that will include a combination of physical protection as well as the use of sophisticated electronic counter measures to maximise survivability while on patrol". However, some critics have called the Vector a "coffin on wheels", as it has no windows or firing ports for it's passengers (reducing it's effectiveness as a patrol vehicle) and is not apparently mine proof (flat chassis, driver's seat positionned over the front wheel,...).
Many Pinzgauers were sold to military forces (initially Austrian and Swiss) to be used as non-tactical utility vehicles. Typical military roles are as general purpose utility truck, command vehicles, troop carrier, ambulance, and tow vehicle. Roles very similar to other civilian sourced CUCV vehicles like Land-Rover in the UK, the Blazer CUCV in the US, and Geländewagen in many European countries. The New Zealand army has purchased 321 Pinzgauer vehicles in 8 variants to fulfill the Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) role. The Pinzgauer was also marketed to the civilian marketplace world-wide for use as campers, farm trucks, ambulances, fire-trucks, and rescue vehicles. Likewise, many ended up being used as tourist vans due to their large passenger capacity and stable, reliable platform. Pinzgauers have been used as tourist transports in Africa, Australia, South America, Hawaii, and other exotic locales. Some are still in use today. Pinzgauers were also marketed to and used extensively by energy companies for oil exploration purposes. A few pinzgauers were used for off-road racing, including the famous Paris to Dakar Rally.
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