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101 Cars: Mercedes Unimog
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
08/01/2008 - 03:26 PM
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Unimog stands for Universal-Motor-Gerät, German for universal motor equipment, and if ever there were truth in advertising, this is it. (Photo: Diamler Global Media) ยป More Photos

The Shmoo, for anyone who remembers the Li'l Abner comic strip, was a little blob-shaped critter that would be anything you wanted him to be. The Unimog is a mechanical shmoo, only without the self-sacrificing part. Unimog stands for Universal-Motor-Gerät, German for universal motor equipment, and if ever there were truth in advertising, this is it. Technically, the Unimog is a forward-control tractor with four equal-sized wheels, but from there it can do anything from farming and roadside grass mowing to off-road firefighting, and Unimog makes a military version as well. Developed in postwar Germany and adopted by Mercedes-Benz in 1953, the Unimog was powered by a six-cylinder Mercedes passenger car engine and had a relatively short 114-inch wheelbase with minimal front or rear overhang. Portal axles offset the wheelhub downward for another 6 inches of clearance. It had a top speed of almost 60 miles per hour but was unstoppable off-road. A larger version was added in the mid-1970s with more power, more ground clearance, and deeper fording capability. It's the go-anywhere versatility that's the greatest asset of the Unimog, however. If you need to go somewhere, a Unimog can get you there.

Specifications
Engine: 6.4-liter turbocharged diesel inline six
Horsepower: 260
0-60 mph: Maybe seconds
Top Speed: About 60 miles per hour
Price New: $80,000 (current model)
Value Now: Classic Unimogs are available for as little as $8,000
Mercedes-Benz Unimog Photos



Claim to Fame

CLAIM TO FAME: The go-anywhere, do-anything motorized appliance from Diamler-Benz


Soundtrack

SOUNDTRACK: "The Happy Wanderer" (Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann)


Perfect Passenger

PERFECT PASSENGER: For serious off-roading, don't take a passenger. Take a spotter.


Behind the Wheel

BEHIND THE WHEEL: Contact the Rocky Mountain Moggers for classic Unimogs, or visit your friendly U.S. Unimog dealer for a new one.


Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW: Unimog is now being sold in the United States as a part of Freightliner.


The Perfect Drive

THE PERFECT DRIVE: Somewhere you're not supposed to be able to go.



Read the REVIEW and Get Your Copy of 365 Cars You Must Drive

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Check out the 101 Cars Countdown!

The Unimog is a well-behaved beast! Ever been in one or driven one? We want to know the story!

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