In the same year, the French High Command initiated a competition for a "powerful armored car" (Automitrailleuse Puissante).
The prototype had a low profile which made it harder to detect and was perfect for reconnaissance missions.
Two pairs of metal wheels with grousers were attached in the center of the hull to improve cross country performance.
It consisted of two half-cylinders inserted one into the other, while the lower cylinder was slanted obliquely, its elevated sides holding in its trunnions the upper half.
Elevation of the gun was achieved through the vertical movement of the upper half cylinder pivoting relative to the lower side of the turret.
[1][2][3] The Panhard AM 40 P was installed with a gasoline engine that had an output of 85 hp allowing it to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h.