M Mercedes’ ubiquitous Unimog turns 80 this month, and to celebrate the anniversary, the German brand is taking its massive practicality into uncharted territory. Working with Hellgeth Engineering, the company created a show car that adds luxury to the famous SUV. This unique model combines Unimog’s usual all-weather engineering direction with premium materials and sleek styling designed to impress on muddy trails or in front of many luxury hotels.
Beneath the glitz, the core is still a Model U 4023 Unimog with portal axles, flexible frame and three locking differentials. The big change is the new 7.7-liter six-cylinder OM 936 diesel engine, which replaces the usual 5.1-liter inline four-cylinder unit, its power is 300 hp.
Mercedes claims the six-cylinder engine offers better traction and smoother transmission behavior, while keeping the truck’s legendary off-road capabilities intact.
Mercedes-Benz
The exterior strikes a balance between brute strength and boutique confidence. Borrowing elements from the SUVs, it features several new additions and tweaks, including a revised grille, bumper and side skirts, as well as custom cargo bay panels. Matte gray paint, 20-inch wheels and a unique LED headlight package also give it a modern look. MirrorCam technology replaces traditional mirrors with digital monitors, which Mercedes says helps both off-road and in tight urban spaces.
Inside, the four-seater cabin is furnished with high-quality leather, contrast stitching, LED ambient lighting and leather insoles. It’s a surreal mix of luxury and practicality, like a five-star hotel suite attached to a mountain rescue truck, though since Mercedes didn’t provide many photos of the interior, we’re guessing it still feels more like a truck than a limousine.
The Unimog began life as an agricultural vehicle in post-war Germany, and Mercedes took over its production in 1951. Since then, it has been used by utility companies, rescue services, the military and even racing teams participating in the Dakar Rally, with no particular concern for luxury.
But Mercedes insists this luxury Unimog is not just a styling exercise. The show car will be tested by a customer next year to gather real-world data for possible future development. If there’s demand, the luxury beast could influence a new branch of the model family.
