This was the standard reconnaissance variant built from 1937 to 1941. From July 1941, any need for a 231 was fulfilled by producing a 232 without the additional radio equipment. The official name was Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd. Kfz. 231 (8-rad).
Introduced to the reconnaissance units of the German Army just before the Polish Campaign in 1939, and continued in service until the end of the war. A total of Nearly 1300 were produced.