Mercedes-Benz

The mighty Unimog is 60 years old, and Mercedes-Benz is celebrating with an all-new amphibian-inspired Unimog concept that hints at off-road vehicles of the past and future.

Based on the current U 5000 chassis, the “Concept Design 60 Years Unimog” (something got lost in translation) is an homage to extreme off-roaders past. With prominent fenders and a bright green hood, it’s also intentionally reminiscent of a poison dart frog. Mercedes-Benz said the comparison is accurate, as the both the frog and the ‘Mog are “extremely mobile both in water and on land.”

Like the first-ever example that rolled out of the plant in Gaggenau, Germany, on June 3, 1951, the 60 Years Unimog is an open-air vehicle, with seats the driver and passenger can easily hop into. Considering that the incredibly awesome Unimog is frequently seen in war zones and construction sites, it’s a safe bet a roof will be standard equipment for years to come.

As far as sheetmetal, or lack thereof, Mercedes claims the concept represents the new “face” of its commercial vehicles. Though we find it eerily reminiscent of a dirt bike trapped under the hood of a GLK, it’s nice to see an automaker go through the effort to draw up a radical concept for such a function-first vehicle — especially one that’s been through so few exterior renovations during it’s long and iconic production run.

The designers also made sure to highlight one of the Unimog’s most important features: an incredibly beefy suspension with massive coil springs. All that suspension travel allows the truck to seemingly defy the laws of physics by keeping all four wheels on the ground even at the most extreme angles. On the 60 Years Unimog, the springs are painted a shade of red that’s sure to make the marketing department and dealers smile.

According to Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks director Yaris Pürsün, the folks at Mercedes had fun building it, too. “From the very beginning there was a unique spirt of cooperation. It has been a very emotional project which we all became very attached to,” he said.