All automotive enthusiasts love big, powerful vehicles. That’s a no-brainer. From fast muscle cars stuffed with big-blocks to tall pickup trucks cranking out torque measured in quadruple digits, it’s all good. It’s even better when it’s a military vehicle. For reasons that almost every guy understands, there is nothing quite like a butt-kicking military rig to get your attention.
Here’s one we know you are going to love. It’s the Marauder built by the Paramount Group and you can see it in action in the video above. Mostly sold to military and police in places such as South Africa like the one tested on BBC’s Top Gear in the video below (in which it crushes two cars like they were insects), the Marauder can accommodate a crew of two in the front, plus eight fully equipped soldiers in the rear. Marauders can be configured as a simple armored personnel carrier, or as an effective wheeled combat vehicle by the addition of appropriate weapon systems, making it ideal for conventional and non-conventional missions.
The Marauder can be supplied in standard or stretched versions which offer extra space to carry more troops and extra equipment. There are different driveline options available depending on the client preference. Here are some general specifications, as well as performance figures, for the Marauder.
Its curb weight is 28,660 pounds, the wheelbase is 11.6 feet, it’s combat weight (GVW) can be up to 39,680 pounds, and it’s payload can be as high 11,000 pounds. It has a maximum road speed of 75 mph, a turning circle just under 59 feet, and a range of about 435 miles.
The Marauder is powered by a six-cylinder turbo-diesel (296 hp), with an automatic transmission and a transfer case. Air-actuated lockers are in the front and rear axles, and it features air-operated disc brakes. The tires are 14x20s. The Marauder is shielded to a KE protection of STANAG 4569 level 3, and blast protection specs greater than STANAG 4569 level 3. We would love to roll through the neighborhood in one of these. How about you? What would you do with one of these Marauders?