Friday 26th April 2013

Next-gen Unimog revealed

Everyone's favourite Tonka toy for grown-ups updated for a new generation

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Speed might matter... but some vehicles don’t need to be fast to be utterly cool. Take the Unimog, for example – anything that’s as stubbornly able to go wherever you need it to, and carry the world on its back while it’s doing so, is worthy of our approbation. When we drove into a snow drift (well, OK, a succession of snow drifts) in Sweden, it was a Unimog that pulled us out. Repeatedly. And having tried one a couple of years back, we can attest to how much of a hoot the driving experience is, especially off-road. We’ve even built one, such is our love for Merc’s big, friendly giant. OK, it was a model, but it was almost as complex as the real thing. Almost.

Yep, still unmistakeably a Unimog

So news of the next generation of Unimog – or ‘UNIversal-MOtor-Gerat’ (Universal Motor Machine) – was met with what some might consider to be an undue amount of excitement at PH Towers. And the good news is that, true to form, it’s far more utilitarian and rather less spangly than the slightly unhinged concept that Mercedes unveiled back in 2011 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Daimler-Benz taking over production of the ’mog.

As you’d expect, Mercedes is proudly talking up the improved efficiency and economy of the new model, which now features a range of four- and six-cylinder BlueEfficiency Power engines taken from the rest of the Merc truck line-up, all of which now Euro VI-compliant and rated between 156hp and 354hp. The new 'mog will also benefit from all sorts of revised production processes whose efficiency and laudability are bettered only by their dullness. All you really need to know is that the new model can be easily differentiated from the previous one by its new, circular headlamps, and that it still has the classic Unimog stature, thanks largely to those trademark portal axles. Look out for one being converted to apocalypse-proof (probably) camper spec near you soon. Or perhaps helpfully liberating you from the gravel trap you’ve just entered backwards. And yes, we do speak from experience.

[Evo]

Can we have an AMG version please

[appletonn]

Humungous want - that's all!

[binnerboy]

one of these is in the lottery garage for no reason other than I likes it

[louiebaby]

Evo said:

Can we have an AMG version please

Sure, but I'll take the Brabus one thanks:

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2008-mercede...

[RizzoTheRat]

louiebaby said:

Sure, but I'll take the Brabus one thanks:

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2008-mercede...

How pointless can you get? I love it!

[McWigglebum4th]

louiebaby said:

Evo said:

Can we have an AMG version please

Sure, but I'll take the Brabus one thanks:

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2008-mercede...

Pah

Agri spec is cooler

[yellowstreak]

Epic bit of kit. The ultimate gun bus.

No need to drive round it when you can drive over it or through it.

[mat777]

Every time I see a Unimog I feel mixed emotions.

I feel happy because like most of PH I would love one. The possibilities would be endless, I think I'd have one of those zombie apocalypse expedition camper versions and go exploring in it

A bit like this:





But I also feel sad because the British car industry was robbed by BL pennypinchers of several opportunities to spawn a decent competitor line of off road light utility trucks, that would have meant enticing tonka-truck power/capability/price wars today....

Project cancelled:




Project cancelled:




Never sold to civilians:




Project cancelled:

[soad]

yellowstreak said:

Epic bit of kit. The ultimate gun bus.

No need to drive round it when you can drive over it or through it.

Marauder would be the ultimate, I dare say.

Yes, second sentence sums it up nicely.


Saw an old Unimog driven by the tree surgeon earlier this week, very cool indeed.

[marshall100]

I like. But I'd like it a little bit more racey.....

Oh...

[RizzoTheRat]

and in a similar vein to Matt's post, no longer manufactured in Guildford



a bit bigger I know but the DAF 4x4's are made in the UK aren't they?

[richb77]

I read the piece and thought to myself "Am i completely odd/barking for REALLY wanting one of these?"

Then i read the first few posts here and realised i am not alone.

So to every like minded poster. Thank you for confirming i am not insane....Or...Thank you for meaning i am not alone in my insanity.

[richb77]

louiebaby said:

Evo said:

Can we have an AMG version please

Sure, but I'll take the Brabus one thanks:

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2008-mercede...

The power to weight ratio is IMMENSE!

It only weighs 12(twelve)lbs!

[UltimaCH]

I'll take that to ANY jeep or SUV!

[Ozzie Osmond]

And the price is....?

[TORQ]

Interesting points about the Brit wasted opportunities.

I have always wanted a Unimog and I have no need to own one either.

My Dad spotted this in a German forest last year- what better way to go and collect firewood?

[TORQ]

TORQ said:

Interesting points about the Brit wasted opportunities.

I have always wanted a Unimog and I have no need to own one either.

My Dad spotted this in a German forest last year- what better way to go and collect firewood?

Sorry both pics wouldn't load in same post (too big)

[Chunkymonkey71]

I'd have a Mog in my lottery garage.

[marcosgt]

Where in Germany was that?

A friend of mine lives down on the Austrian border (well did, I've lost contact) and had one just like that for hauling wood from his Father in Law's forest

M.

[IroningMan]

I had a U404 - one generation older than the one above - when I worked as a tree surgeon. Good fun and a very simple beast.