[3] In December 1973, Rheinstahl Wehrtechnik (later Thyssen-Henschel and now part of Rheinmetall) received an order for 408 of the new vehicle, designated Spähpanzer Luchs.

[3][4] The all-wheel drive Luchs made by Thyssen-Henschel (now: Rheinmetall) is well armoured, has an NBC protection system and is characterized by its low-noise running.

Up to the first combat effectiveness upgrade in 1986, the Luchs was fully amphibious and could surmount water obstacles quickly and independently using propellers at the rear and the fold back trim vane at the front.

The 20 mm Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh 202 gun in the turret is similar to the one in the Marder IFV.

HF long-range radio was the AN/GRC 9 with the LV 80 100 Watts RF amplifier for Morse Code.