Specification Crew : 5 Engine : Maybach HL 120TRM Combat weight : 23 tons Max speed : road . 40 km/h Range : 155 km Length : 5.52 m Width : 2.95 m Height : 2.50 m Main gun : One 75mm KwK L/24 : Two 7.92mm MG34 Armour : 10mm to 50mm + 20mm

In June 1942 because of the decreased effectiveness of the Pz Kpfw III against enemy armour , it was decided to mount the 75mm KwK L/24 in the Pz Kpfw III.This gun not only fired a more effective high-explosive (Spgr) round but also fired a shaped-charged (Hohlladung) round with better armour penetrating ability then the long-barrelled 50mm KwK L/60 which it replaced.The initial order for 450 was produced using 3 from the Ausf J series and 447 from the Ausf L series.Since the troops liked the Ausf N an order was issued in November to complete the Ausf M series with the short 75mm KwK 213 Ausf M were so converted and an additional 37 Pz Kpfw III returned from the front for major overhaul were also converted to Ausf N to complete the series of 700. The basic features were the same as the Ausf J , L and M series.The only differences were that the Ausf N had the 75mm KwK L/24 instead of the 50mm KwK and did not have spaced armour on the gun mantlet because the additional weight of the 75mm KwK.Many of the late model Ausf N were fitted with a new cupola with thicker armour and a single hatch in place of the earlier design with a split hatch.From March 1943 the Ausf N were fitted with skirting armour during production. From September 1942 to May 1943 the heavy tank companies organization called for 10 Pz Kpfw Ausf N to render close support for the nine Tigers.In addition the Ausf N were issued to the Panzer regiments of the Panzer divisions and used in the same close combat role as the Pz Kpfw IV with the short 75mm KwK.At the start of the Kursk offensive in July 1943 there were 155 Ausf N with the Panzer troops in Army Groups Center and South.