Renault AHx
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1941 |
| Defunct | 1947 |
| Products | Light to medium-duty trucks (2 to 5 tonnes payload) |
| Parent | Renault |
The Renault AHx series consisted of light to medium-duty trucks with payload capacities ranging from 2 to 5 tonnes, produced by Renault between 1941 and 1947. Several variants were utilized by German military forces during World War II.
History
Development of the AHx began with prototypes such as the AHS2 appearing around 1939, intended to succeed the AGC truck which had a 1.5-tonne load capacity. Although originally designed for the French military's 2.5-tonne class, it was declined but subsequently adopted by the Wehrmacht, who classified it as a 2-tonne vehicle under the designation Lastkraftwagen 2 to. The AHN model, capable of carrying 4 tonnes, replaced the AGR and was manufactured for German forces as Lastkraftwagen 3.5 to. The largest variant, the AHR, with a 5-tonne payload, was also deployed by the Wehrmacht. Roughly 23,000 units of the AHS, about 4,000 AHN, and between 1,000 and 2,000 AHR trucks were delivered to German troops.
Following the war, updated models including the AHS3/AHS4 and AHN2/AHN3—designed for payloads of 2 and 3.5 tonnes respectively—were primarily aimed at civilian users. These were superseded in 1947 by the Renault Galion. Additionally, the AHx cab design was adapted for use in the Renault 208 E1 truck, which had a payload capacity of 7 tonnes.
Technical details
The AHS was equipped with a 2.38-litre inline-four petrol engine producing , whereas both the AHN and AHR featured a larger 4.05-litre inline-six petrol engine generating . Each variant incorporated a 4-speed manual transmission. Versions fitted with gasifiers (designated AHSH and AHNH) delivered lower power outputs of and , respectively, at an engine speed of 2,800 rpm.
Renault introduced a cab forward layout with this range in 1934, improving driver sightlines and maximizing cargo area. The AHN measured approximately 6.4 metres long, 2.4 metres wide, and had a height of 2.6 metres.