The Unimog has a special place in my heart, and so, when one special model comes along, it has to be said—more so when it is from Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. Billed as the most luxurious Unimog ever (yes, you heard that right: “luxurious”), this Luxury Unimog Show Car blends the model’s legendary toughness with a level of comfort that feels wildly out of character in the best possible way.
The result looks like the preferred daily driver of a post-apocalypse billionaire, assuming currency still works and roads do not. Damn, why does the image of Biff Tannen from the Biffhorrific timeline emerge when I said that?
Created to mark the Unimog’s 80th anniversary next year, this show car is the work of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and conversion partner Hellgeth Engineering. It is based on the Unimog U 4023, a platform already known for handling terrain that would make normal vehicles cringe. Portal axles, a flexible frame, selectable all-wheel drive, plus longitudinal and differential locks on both axles ensure it remains unapologetically serious off-road.
Things get spicy under the hood. The standard four-cylinder engine has been replaced with a Mercedes-Benz OM 936 six-cylinder unit producing 220 kW, or 300 horses. Transmission tuning has been optimized for smoother power delivery, making this Unimog feel less like industrial equipment and more like an executive suite that happens to climb mountains.
The double cab seats up to four people, all surrounded by premium leather surfaces, ergonomic seats with colored stitching, leather floor mats, and ambient LED lighting. Outside, matte grey paint, aluminum beadlock wheels, modern LED headlights, and a bold SUV-inspired stance ensure this thing looks as expensive as it feels. A MirrorCam system replaces traditional mirrors with cameras and in-cab displays, improving visibility and safety while quietly flexing modern tech credentials.
Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks CEO Franziska Cusumano calls it a statement of innovation and passion, and that feels accurate. This is a Unimog that wants to be admired before it casually drives over something immovable.
Price: Well, about that… It’s a showcar, so chances are it is not for sale.
Images: Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks.
