After aborted efforts including Leonidas-2 variants and other attempted improvements and joint developments, ELVO worked entirely on its own, on a new design according to the specifications given at the time by the Hellenic Army.
The resulting AIFV developed by the Greek company, named 'Kentaurus' ('ΚΕΝΤΑΥΡΟΣ'), was officially introduced at the Defendory Arms Exhibition in Athens in 1998.
It features a 420 hp MTU Diesel engine, 30 mm EBO cannon and 7.62 mm machine-gun (built on Mauser and Rheinmetall designs), Pyrkal smoke-grenade launchers, Toxotis computerized fire control system and KUKA turret.
[3][4][5] Despite successful tests by the Greek army, its approval, and an initial agreement in 2003 for an order of 140 vehicles, its fate is uncertain due to subsequent cutbacks in relevant military spending, and evaluation of cheaper alternatives.
The interior of the vehicle has been designed to permit comfortable movement for men of up to 1.90m height.
It can be accessed from a large hydraulic assisted hatch and be removed from the vehicle in 15 minutes.
Initially it was offered with a Bushmaster II gun of 30mm calibre, but the Kentaurus prototype had a licence-produced Mauser Mk30, also of 30mm, by Hellenic Defence Systems.