The prototype was based on Tatra's traditional backbone chassis, with a water cooled Cummins engine and a ZF transmission.

[2] Even though the truck was being developed as an entirely new line, the company decided to formally introduce it to the market under the 815-7 designation as a new version of the Tatra 815, in order to undergo a simplified homologation process.

While originally intended for military operators, the truck has been offered to civilian customers since 2010, particularly for specialist purposes such as firefighting.

With the third generation, Tatra re-introduced its previously discontinued air-cooled V12 engine, offering up to 440 kW of power output.

[3] Tatra 817 standard trucks serve in the Army of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Armed Forces, while 817 chassis with specialist superstructures (e.g., artillery cannon, rocket launcher, armored recovery vehicle, etc.)