Renault VZ

The Renault VZ, also called the AMD Renault, was a prototype armoured scout car designed by Renault between the world wars. It was offered for the programme of 1931 in which the French Cavalry sought a reconnaissance armoured car, competing with the Berliet VUB, the Panhard 178 and the Latil AMD. It had four-wheel drive and steering, two skis and then two small tracks under the hull to help it cross banks, a front engine and two driving positions, and came with a Renault turret for a 20 mm cannon and a 7.5 mm Reibel machine gun. After trials from November 1932 to January 1933 the Vincennes commission asked for improvements because it was too heavy and cramped inside. Two prototypes were built, one crashing on 23 December 1932. The second was lightened and given a new turret with a 25 mm Hotchkiss gun, and tested again in December 1934. The Panhard 178 became the standard cavalry car in 1935.