VW Iltis - The "missing link"

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VW Iltis - The "missing link"

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Created on December 29, 2025

Text:

Martin Sigrist

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

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VW Iltis (1980) - Purely functional vehicle in the style of a press brake

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VW Iltis (1980) - On snow and ice, the Iltis also inspired the development of the quattro

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VW Iltis (1980) - All-wheel drive comes in handy on snow and ice

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VW Iltis (1980) - owner Urs Weibel prefers to brake with the engine rather than the service brake when driving downhill

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VW Iltis (1980) - owner Urs Weibel calls the driving behavior rather adventurous

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VW Iltis (1980) - The raised front end makes it possible to drive up steep embankments

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VW Iltis (1980) - The wheelbase is very short, but the overhangs are all the longer

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VW Iltis (1980) - The steering is much more precise than that of rigid-axle contemporaries

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VW Iltis (1980) - Like most of them, this Iltis was once in the service of the Bundeswehr

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VW Iltis (1980) - One of the few registered VW Iltis in Switzerland

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VW Iltis (1980) - A civilian version stood the high price in the sun at that time

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VW Iltis (1980) - Rear-wheel drive was even sufficient for driving uphill on snow

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VW Iltis (1980) - In the street scene, the Iltis is hardly identifiable from the rear by laymen

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VW Iltis (1980) - Barren, windswept wasteland on the highest peak of the Jura

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VW Iltis (1980) - Compact dimensions could have made the Iltis attractive in Switzerland too

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VW Iltis (1980) - Road tires quickly reach their limits in heavy snow

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VW Iltis (1980) - The all-wheel drive can be engaged

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VW Iltis (1980) - More digging than driving

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VW Iltis (1980) - Stuck, the old snow on the Chasseral became as hard as concrete

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VW Iltis (1980) - Nature and the engine compartment house the necessary on-board tools

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VW Iltis (1980) - A glorious day above the fog with an unusual car

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VW Iltis (1980) - Although not a rocket, the performance is still sufficient to keep up with the competition today

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VW Iltis (1980) - Also good for simply having fun

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VW Iltis (1980) - Above the fog of the midlands

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VW Iltis (1980) - Once classified as unfit for service by the Swiss army

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VW Iltis (1980) - Designed as a vehicle for the German armed forces

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VW Iltis (1980) - Two intrepid drivers on their way to the valley

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VW Iltis (1980) - The Iltis is tough but well heated

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VW Iltis (1980) - Where there is light, there is also shadow

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VW Iltis (1980) - part of a VW collection, but the Iltis can still go outside in any weather

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VW Iltis (1980) - Exhaust of the auxiliary heating under the driver's seat pan

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VW Iltis (1980) - The raised tailpipe makes a curl like a pig's tail

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VW Iltis (1980) - The exhaust makes detours in favor of the rear ramp angle

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VW Iltis (1980) - The bar underlines the seriousness of the Iltis

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VW Iltis (1980) - The lower wishbones are the same for all four corners

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VW Iltis (1980) - Beetle steering wheel and form that follows function

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VW Iltis (1980) - Two flaps for extracting heating air for the passengers

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VW Iltis (1980) - Practical instead of beautiful

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VW Iltis (1980) - Lever for all-wheel drive and rear differential lock

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VW Iltis (1980) - Step and radio antenna base

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VW Iltis (1980) - Weak sparkle and NATO indicator housing

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VW Iltis (1980) - fuel filler neck and spare canister in the immediate vicinity

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VW Iltis (1980) - The 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine comes from the Audi modular system

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VW Iltis (1980) - Entrenching tool hidden under the hood

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Volkswagen Iltis (1979) - with Passat-derived engine - Geneva Motor Show 1979

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Audi quattro (1980) - test drives together with VW Iltis in Turrach in 1980 - many parts of the quattro drivetrain had their origin in the Volkswagen off-road vehicle

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VW Iltis (1979) - cutaway view of the four-wheel drive Kübelwagen developed for the German Armed Forces

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Volkswagen Iltis 1.7-liter - 75 hp (DIN) 1 carburetor

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DKW Munga (1957) - robust and suitable for any terrain

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VW Iltis (1980) - Turning handles do not snap in by themselves

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Willys Jeep M-38 A1 (1955) - military version

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Mercedes-Benz G (1979) - Delivery program of the 460 model series at the start of production

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The Land Rover 109 cost less in Switzerland than the Iltis

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Summary

A "Brückentier" is one of those creatures that occupy the transition between two evolutionary stages, or that can be found at the nodes of forks in the evolutionary tree of development. The coelacanth is such an animal, the first fish with four limbs, or the platypus, the egg-laying but milk-giving unique animal. If the VW polecat were an animal, it would probably also belong in this category...

This article contains the following chapters

Order placed with VW
DKW sends its regards
Exoticism and adventure
On raw eggs
Evaluated by the Swiss Army
Small series

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

A "missing link" is one of those creatures that occupy the transition between two evolutionary stages, or that can be found at the nodes of forks in the evolutionary tree of development. The coelacanth is such an animal, the first fish with four limbs, or the platypus, the egg-laying but milk-giving unicum. If the VW polecat were an animal, it would probably also belong in this category... The VW Iltis certainly has some connections to the animal kingdom. It starts with its model name, which is borrowed from the polecat, a small predator from the marten family. In addition, like most land animals, it moves through the terrain on all fours. And that's just it: On closer inspection, it is a "Brückentier", i.e. one that represents a node in evolution. In the same way, it has this connecting function in the automotive sector. In retrospect, its role as a trailblazer is almost more important than the one it played during its active service. After all, the Iltis was initially an army vehicle.

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