Mercedes-Benz Unimog Dresses Up to Celebrate 80th Anniversary
The world-famous Unimog from Mercedes-Benz will turn 80 in 2026, and the German automaker’s Special Trucks division has decided that a proper celebration was in order.
In collaboration with Hellgeth Engineering, the all-terrain utility vehicle with one-of-a-kind size and capability dresses up in fancy attire, gets a new, more powerful engine and elevates luxury to somehow rival another Mercedes-Benz icon, the G-Class SUV.
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To be clear, this is just a concept for now. However, the vehicle will be tested by a customer in real-world conditions next year to gain insights for a possible future development stage.
“With the luxury Unimog show car, we have realized our vision of combining the legendary robustness and off-road capability of the Unimog with an entirely new standard of comfort and engineering skills,” said Franziska Cusumano, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. “This Unimog is a statement of innovation and passion.”
The concept is based on the highly off-road-capable Unimog U 4023, featuring a flexible frame, portal axles, selectable all-wheel drive, as well as longitudinal and differential locks on both axles. The 5.1-litre four-cylinder engine (228 horsepower) is replaced by a 7.7-litre OM 936 six-cylinder diesel engine producing an unprecedented 296 horsepower and pairing with a transmission that’s been reprogrammed for smoother operation.
Inspired by luxury SUVs, the exterior features a matte grey finish, aluminum beadlock wheels and a distinctive lighting concept with LED headlights. The front grille and bumpers are new, joining custom bed panels. Meanwhile, digital cameras and monitors replace the traditional mirrors to provide improved all-round visibility and enhanced safety.
The double cab, which can accommodate up to four people, raises the bar for refinement with premium leather upholstery (including the floor mats), new ergonomic seats with contrast stitching, plus LED ambient lighting. Unfortunately, a single picture of the interior was shared by the company.
Still, that's more than enough to make all current Unimog users around the world dream!
