Rough precursors
More than half of all cars sold in Europe are now SUVs, a term that is less than 30 years old. Before that you just had all-terrain vehicles. Without those models, the SUV would probably never have come about. We have listed some better-known and lesser-known predecessors of the SUV for you.
Land Rover (1948)
The original Land Rover came onto the market in 1948 and since 1990 this model has been known as Defender. With its robust technology and excellent off-road capabilities, it became legendary and lasted until a few years ago in continually modified form.
Mercedes G-class (1979)
The G-class is built for Mercedes by the Austrian Steyer-Daimler-Püch, which also sells the car under its own name. Peugeot builds the G-class equipped with a 504 engine as a P4 for the French army.
Jeep Commando (1971)
The Jeep Commando is the link between the spartan CJ and the luxurious Wagoneer. Until 1971, the car was known as the Jeepster Commando, with the striking Jeep front related to the CJ. Then he gets his more redeemable nose.
Nissan Patrol (1963)
As with many other off-road vehicle manufacturers, it starts with vehicles related to the Willys Jeep. This is also the case with Nissan. In 1959, Nissan launched its own model, of which a station wagon with a long wheelbase appeared in 1963: the Patrol. Together with the Mitsubishi Pajero and the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Patrol will become one of the 4×4 icons of the last century.
Volkswagen Iltis (1978)
In 1978, the Iltis won a tender from the German army – at the expense of Mercedes with the G-class. In France it is the other way around: there the Peugeot P4 beats the Citroën C-44 (an Iltis with a Citroën engine).
Toyota Land Cruiser J50 (1967)
With the Land Cruiser J55, Toyota shows that its off-road vehicles do not necessarily have to be spartan. Remarkable: it is even available with an electrically operated window in the tailgate.
International Scout II (1971)
The Scout is International Harvester’s answer to the Jeepster Commando. A more civilized second generation appeared in 1971 and in 1981 DAF Trucks – at the time partly owned by International – used a Scout as a support vehicle for its Dakar team. There are plans to revive the Scout name.
Fiat Campagnola (1974)
The Campagnola with its sleek bodywork has the two-liter four-cylinder from the Fiat 132 and independent(!) suspension all around. As a Renault TRM500 (equipped with an R20 engine), the car will miss out on the major French defense order.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl