Specification Crew : 5 Engine : MB509 V12 1,080PS or MB517 Diesel Combat weight : 188 tons Max speed : road . 20 km/h Range : 186 km Length : 10.09 m Width : 3.67 m Height : 3.66 m Main gun : One 128mm KwK44 L/55 : One 75mm KwK44 L/36.5 : One 7.92mm MG34 Armour : 40mm to 240mm

In June 1942 Porsche of Stuttgart were ordered by Hitler to start designing a super heavy tank mounting a 128mm gun and having maximum possible armour.Trials were to commence in May 1943.Many difficulties arose for example the air-cooled motor did not materialize and the V1 vehicle had to be fitted with a modified MB509 aircraft engine the V2 with a MB517 diesel.The Porsche longitudinal torsion bar suspension had to be abandoned as there was insufficient space for the number of stations needed to carry the continually growing weight.Meanwhile an order had been placed for a production series of 150 , but in October 1943 this was cancelled.The V1 prototype was tasted with a simulated turret in December 1943 and with a turret and armament in June 1944.The turret less V2 started tests in September 1944 , but the engine was destroyed in an accident and was not replaced until April 1945.Both prototypes were blown up at Kummersdorf. The Maus ran on Skoda-designed volute suspension and was designed to be fitted with either a 150mm KwK44 or a 170mm KwK44.For river crossing the Maus was expected to submerge to a maximum of 8m taking power via cable from another Maus on the bank for its electric drive.