The Unimog Is Probably The Go-Anywhere,Do-Anything Mercedes-Benz Off-Roader You’ve Never Heard Of…

Can your fancy G-Class do this? Yeah, we didn't think so. Get to know the Mercedes-Benz Unimog in greater detail below!

If you thought that the G-Class was the only Mercedes-Benz go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle, just remember that it actually has a bigger brother that’s arguably more talented too. We’re talking of course about the Unimog, which has been in continuous production and development since 1951 – over 75 years!

Originally, the Unimog was manufactured by Boehringer since 1948. The three-point star acquired the firm in 1951, opting to keep its signature and highly versatile Unimog truck design, which can be adapted for a wide variety of purposes. It includes agriculture and farming, fire and rescue, military, and more.

Before you ask, the Unimog name stems from a German acronym for "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being German word for ‘equipment’. It was first coined by German engineer Hans Zabel who used it as a note on one of the original Unimog technical drawings. The name was officially adopted later in 1946.

This fire truck is based on the U 5023 variant of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog, which features portal axles.

Both single-cab and crew-cab (double-cab) bodystyles are available for this U 5023-based Unimog firefighting vehicle.

For this year’s edition of the FIREmobil trade show taking pace this week in Brandenburg, Germany, Mercedes is showcasing no less than six variations of the latest-gen Unimog. Leading the ensemble is the bright red fire and rescue vehicle pictured that, according to Mercedes-Benz, is virtually ‘indestructible’.

Based on the U 5023 variant of the Unimog, this firefighting version featured comes in either single-cab or crew-cab (double-cab) bodies. Primed aboard is a host of specialised equipment all designed for fire and rescue operations, and all are housed atop the U 5023 go-anywhere off-roader variant base.

This is a more compact fire-fighting vehicle based on the U 530 variant of the Unimog. Though smaller in size, it's arguably equally as versatile and capable as its U 5023 silbing.

Alongside this is a another fire-fighting vehicle based on the smaller and lighter U 530 model. Despite having more compact dimensions over the U 5023, this U 530-based firefighter isn’t short on gear and capabilities, evident through the presence of a massive heavy duty winch mounted up front.

Both firefighters aside, Mercedes-Benz will also showcase a U 5023-based ambulance alongside them. An Atego 1630 4x4 from an actual German municipal fire brigade, and an Arocs 1842 from the German Federal Police fleet, completes this showcase of specialised trucks.

Besides fire and rescue purposes, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 can also be built up as an ambulance as pictured above.

Presently, the Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks arm lists over 10 different versions and configurations of the Unimog available. These range from the U 219 right up to the U 5023, the latter being the largest of the lot and feature portal axle driveline setups to make it a true go-anywhere machine.

The Unimog also continues to come exclusively with two diesel engine choices, that being the OM 934 mill with a 5.1-litre displacement, or the larger 7.7-litre OM 936 mill. Depending on which you opt to prime the Unimog with, at least 354 HP and a whopping 1,380 NM of twist are available.

Lastly, unlike the popular and coveted G-Class 4x4 SUV, which is produced at the Magna-Styr facility in Graz, Austria, Mercedes-Benz continues to produce the Unimog proudly in Germany, specifically at its Worth am Rhein facility.