The first Japanese SUV Kurogane Type 95: reconnaissance vehicle used by the imperial army (4 photos + 1 video)

Kurogane light multi-purpose all-wheel drive vehicles were one of the the most important automotive achievements of pre-war Japan and went down in history as "the first Japanese all-wheel drive SUVs", for several years ahead of the most famous American jeeps Willys.





At the dawn of development, Japanese automakers of original structures were virtually non-existent. Basically they borrowed American or European designs. However, the Kurogane Type 95 is an exception. This is the first SUV in Japan and one of the first cars of this class in the world!

The Type 95 was created by the now-defunct Tokyu automaker. Kogyo Kurogane in 1935. This company was engaged in the production cars and motorcycles, mainly for military purposes. Kurogane Type 95 was developed by order of the Japanese Imperial Army, as light vehicle reconnaissance.



The car was designed by a talented Japanese engineer Tetsuji Makita. In her he laid the foundation for a solid steel X-shaped frame. in front of her an independent (!) wishbone suspension was attached, on the back polyelliptical springs, the rear axle was mounted. As power unit Makita used a 2-cylinder 32-horsepower motorcycle air-cooled engine and mechanical four-speed gearbox. The box was interlocked with single stage dispenser. Front-wheel drive plug-in, locks there were no differentials.





Despite the modest motor, Kurogane turned out to be quite high-speed. With a full crew of three, the car could accelerate up to 75 km/h. In addition, the Type 95 proved to be extremely reliable, which confirmed the fighting in Manchuria. Off-road Kuragan showed miracles of cross-country ability, fully confirming the correctness of the all-wheel drive concepts.



The Japanese Army's residual funding principle prevented the Type 95 become a truly massive army SUV. Automobile was produced until 1944, but during this time they managed to make just under 5,000 cars.