Mercedes Unimog: A real-life Tonka toy
Is the Unimog the ultimate off-road toy?
Hey, look, it's a film star!
Thoughts of it just being a larger G-Wagen were thrown out the window once seated in the spring-mounted seat, faced with a myriad of buttons, hydraulic controls, and the huge steering wheel. If the right options are ticked, it doesn't matter what side of the road it's driven on as the Vario Pilot lets you move the whole steering assembly to the other side of the cabin quickly and efficiently. Then there's the steering column mounted manual gear-selector and clutch pedal. Yes, where the automatic selector is on a normal Mercedes... The electro-pneumatic system allows the pre-selection of a higher or lower gear whilst on the move before dipping the clutch slowly till the gear is engaged. Tricky work when combined with the sheer size (even though this is the smallest of the range) of the vehicle. That's in addition to operating the multi-stage engine brake and diff locks, but that kept the drive entertaining. There is an option of having a regular automatic gearbox if you want less to do, however the manual proved quite a satisfying challenge.
"Is this all you've got?" etc etc
All in all, the Unimog might look like a fish out of water on London streets, but don't forget Brabus tinkered with one a while back... It really is that versatile. If a vehicle with countless abilities and add-ons is what you need, there is little reason to look elsewhere.
Such fond memories of my Dad starting his own agricultural business in early 80's Lincolnshire by buying 2 ex-West German Unimog military ambulances. I can still smell them now. They were petrol models so god only knows how much they gulped on regular trips to farms in their new 'Omega Seed Enterprises' livery as pictured below.
They both came from the surplus yard with ambulance backs, one of which became our garden shed, or my own personal den depending on who you asked. Living in the city I don't see them so often but would love to get one and run it off to Le Mans one year.
Not sure if it is different now but he didn't have an HGV license. Perhaps you do need one but 'country rules' applied...
I am confused however, where did the driving in this article take place? Is this a sales piece or is this somewhere we can all have a go? Oh, and surely a 100% gradient is 45degrees?!?
I've never driven one but there are a couple of tree surgeons around here with them and they always look like they mean business!
so, sorry about that!
Nik
so, sorry about that!
Nik
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