Unimog meets G-Class: A Summit of Mercedes-Benz's Off-Road Icons
Two of the world's most iconic 4x4s are both produced by Mercedes-Benz. We take a look at a ladder frame meetup of two legends.
These are the world's coolest 4x4s
Mercedes-Benz has such a huge automotive business, we often forget some of its most charming products. Among all the AMGs, limousines and luxury SUVs, there are the true field heroes of the Mercedes brand: The Unimog and the G-Class. Inarguably cool vehicles, which have earned their status by virtue of ability - instead of slick marketing.
Either is a winner in the serious 4x4 classification
The Unimog has been around since 1948 and for decades, it has been the choice for emergency services and people who do serious work, in remote locations. The G-Class can trace its heritage to 1979 and although smaller, it does much the same: providing transport into the wildest terrain, albeit with a touch more luxury.
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Up and over anything
Both these Mercedes-Benz 4x4s can crawl up and down some serious gradients. The Unimog, despite its size, can roll up and down a 70% gradient, whilst the G-Class will follow most places its big brother goes, using three differential locks and advanced hill-descent to keep confidently rolling along when most other SUVs have turned around and gone home.
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These 4x4s love to swim
Think your Labrador loves water? These Mercedes 4x4s think nothing of driving into freezing rivers to get where they need to go. The G-Class has an impressive depth-driving ability of up to 27.6-inches. But the Unimog is a virtual four-wheel-drive submarine, capable of crossing through 47-inch deep water. It is the reason why emergency service personnel regard them so highly, especially when operating in post-flood locations.
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Steel frames keep it real
Both the G-Class and Unimog have three differential locks (front, center, and rear), which guarantee nearly unbeatable traction - even in muddy conditions. Unlike many other 4x4s, which have monocoque aluminum frame construction, the Unimog and G-Class keep it real with steel. Why? Because a steel ladder frame chassis can flex, allowing even better wheel articulation and obstacle-clearing abilities.
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You never need to check the tires on a 'Mog
The G-Class might be available with up to 22-inch wheels, but the Unimog rolls on Mercedes-Benz's most impressive off-road specification rubber. To ensure sufficient flotation in sand and mud, a Unimog's 24-inch wheels are shod with 455/70 tires. An on-board tire inflation system, operated from the cab, adds huge convenience when you need to lower pressures to conquer terrain - and don't feel like fiddling with a remote compressor system in pouring rain and mud.
>>Join the conversation about the G-Class and the Unimog right here in the MBWorld Forum!
It can carry a lot of load - anywhere
To better understand how enormously capable the Unimog is, consider its load capacity rating. A Unimog could carry any new G-Class in its load box, and still have enough axle load capacity in reserve to carry another. Although it is a heavy 4x4, the Unimog's load rating is up to 26,000lb of GVM. And best of all: it will carry that weight absolutely anywhere, in any terrain one might require.
>>Join the conversation about the G-Class and the Unimog right here in the MBWorld Forum!
Always ready to take the long way home
Mercedes-Benz's 4x4 lineage is proven and was earned with decades of faultless machinery, running true in the harshest conditions imaginable. The G-Class is in many ways a miniaturized Unimog, with easier to park dimensions and better urban mobility. But the Unimog is also an awesome vehicle and one well worth celebrating. In fact, the only place where it follows, instead of leading a convoy, is on the highway - where its 60mph top speed keeps it very much in the far right lane.
>>Join the conversation about the G-Class and the Unimog right here in the MBWorld Forum!
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