The German federal state railway (DB) purchased ten samples of the class V80 diesel locomotive with hydraulic drivetrain in 1952. The four axle diesel for light branch and main line service were equipped with one diesel motor of Mercedes Benz, MAN or Maybach that delivered between 800 and 1000 HP. The motors had been interchangeable also between rail diesel cars VT 08, VT 11.5 and the famous V200 class. In the 1960s the V80 got a MTU MB 12 V 493 TZ diesel that had been used also in V100 class. All locomotives had been equipped with signal horn and bell.
