Tatra 815

The Tatra 815 is a truck family built by the Czech manufacturer Tatra, using the company's traditional engineering concept of a rigid backbone tube chassis with swinging half-axles that gives each wheel independent suspension, a design Tatra has used across generations of trucks for its exceptional off-road capability. Built in configurations ranging from 4x4 to 12x12 drive layouts, with engine outputs spanning roughly 230 to 440 kilowatts and a gross weight capacity of about 35,500 kilograms, the 815 was developed originally for demanding off-road military and utility work before expanding into mixed-use civilian applications including construction and heavy transport. The 815's off-road pedigree was demonstrated repeatedly in competition, most famously through six Dakar Rally victories won by Czech racing driver Karel Loprais driving Tatra trucks built on the 815 platform.