Tuesday, June 7, 2011

"60 Years of Unimog" Mercedes-Benz Concept

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Through its 60 years of existence, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog has been a true multi-purpose vehicle, being used for everything from snowplowing and fire-fighting to military missions and safari expeditions."][/caption]

Leave it up to Mercedes-Benz to re-visit a vehicle that was originally intended for agriculture and design a completely avant-garde, and dare we say it, beautiful vehicle that maintains its trademark level of all-purpose functionality. Mercedes-Benz says the concept, simply dubbed "60 Years of Unimog," will set the future tone of the automaker's design and development of commercial vehicles.

The concept was the combined brainchild of the Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Unit (MBS) and an outside design team. The concept takes elements from the modern Unimog U 5000 chassis while maintaining style solidarity with the original Unimog.

The design evokes a certain amphibious quality, because the designers drew inspiration from none other than the poison dart frog. Like the frog, Unimogs can easily travel through land and water. Furthermore, the re-imagined Unimog shares the bright green of both a frog and its predecessor, the original 1951 Unimog.

The design elements of note are the open cabin, stage-show headlights, billet aluminum frame, red coil springs and its flashy five-star rimmed wheels. Mercedes-Benz insists that the concept is consistent with the multi-purpose characteristics of the original models despite its somewhat unconventional design traits. What do you think of the latest Unimog concept?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="574" caption="The Unimog's high ground clearance and flexible frame made it the perfect vehicle for use in agriculture."][/caption]

More from GRAutoBlog on "60 Years of Unimog"
Mercedes-Benz, Lego Celebrate 60 Years of Unimog

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