60 years of Unimog spawns off-roader concept

Mercedes-Benz is paying tribute to 60 years of Unimog trucks with a mean, green off-roader concept that the company claims stands for future versatility in vehicle design.

In a nod to the first Mercedes Unimog--built in 1951 and reinstated with the 2010 product range--the team of Mercedes and Daimler designers gave the 2011 design concept an open cab. They injected the U 5000's off-road capabilities into the equation as well, drawing on the truck's historic design strengths.

Mercedes says the Unimog concept expresses the future shape of its commercial vehicle design.

If the Unimog name doesn't ring a bell, it's because the trucks are rarely sighted in the United States. But Unimogs show up as military vehicles and truck rallies around the world. Unimog designates a range of four-wheel-drive medium- and heavy-duty work trucks in the Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks unit.

Daimler designer Bertrand Janssen says he's confident that details from the Unimog concept will turn up in future Mercedes products. The signature coil springs, portal axles and frame concept stayed intact with a modern flair.

The coil springs are painted red, while the hulk of the hood screams green, a hue Mercedes says was chosen to match the poison dart frog--a creature with expert mobility in water and on land.

The "60 Years Unimog" design concept was revealed on June 3 at the Mercedes plant in Worth, Germany.

Read the full press release below:

PRESS RELEASE: "60 Years Mercedes-Benz Unimog": A spectacular design concept for the jubilee

-- To celebrate their jubilee "60 Years Unimog", Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks (MBS) is presenting a design concept based on the U 5000 with its outstanding off-road mobility

-- A formal unveiling and presentation will take place at the ceremony on 3 June in the CustomerCentre at the Mercedes-Benz Plant in W

By Michelle Koueiter