The Etendard FURIE, from Rally-Raid experts MCE-5 DEVELOPMENT, is a four-person off-road buggy designed for Special Forces, writes Bob Morrison.
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First revealed last June at Eurosatory 2024*, the FURIE was presented on static display at the recent SOFINS 2025 expo at Camp de Souge.
Powered by a liquid-cooled 4-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-diesel developing 220hp and generating 480Nm at 2000rpm, through a 6F2R automatic gearbox, this 2900kg airportable part-time 4×4 buggy has a kerb weight of 1700kg and offers a payload of 1200kg. Overall dimensions of the 3200mm wheelbase tubular steel chassis frame and aluminium bodied vehicle are 4200x 2080x 1890mm (without 7.62mm machine gun or anti-armour missile launcher mount) and minimum ground clearance is 350mm; both Approach and Departure Angles are an exceptional 90°.
In standard four-seat configuration the 1270mm wide rear load platform measures 1060mm, but the rear seats fold forward to give 1710mm platform length if used in the logistics role. Up to three additional seats, two rear-facing on the load platform and one centrally beneath the optional main weapons station, can be fitted if the mission requires a personnel carrier version.
The FURIE is based on an off-road buggy which over the last three years has won over a dozen prestigious international rallies on four continents, including DAKAR 2024 in Red Bull colours. The Etendard FOUDRE 250cc tactical motorbike and Etendard SPECTRE electric mountain bike, both designed for Special Forces, are also developed from successful off-road racing two-wheelers.
* A radiotherapy course prevented me attending Eurosatory 2024 in Paris last year, so SOFINS 2025 was my first opportunity to photograph this interesting vehicle.
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