The Iltis was a military vehicle made by Volkswagen, and then Bombardier. More than 8,000 units were produced by VW for the German army and later Bombardier produced 1,900 units for the Canadian army and 2,500 for the Belgian army. The word Iltis means ferret in German. It shared parts from both the Mk I and Mk II Golf, and was the pioneer of the Audi Quattro.

The original version of the Audi Quattro drivetrain came from this military vehicle. The engines in this vehicle were the same as both the Mk I, and the Mk II Golf, both gas and diesel. The Iltis came with a rollover bar, and a canvas top. They were produced from 1979-1987. The Iltis was gradually replaced by a Mercedes vehicle in the German army.

Some off-road enthusiasts in Canada and elsewhere have sought used Iltis, and created a market for them as military surplus vehicles. Barely more than a hundred were originally produced as civilian vehicles. Most of the usable Iltis come from the German army, which put them for sale in lots, regardless of their condition. The Canadian army sells off its surplus Iltis only when they are in a complete state of mechanical exhaustion, and are falling apart from a combination of old age and excessive use.