The "Universal Motor Platform" Unimog is a problem solver par excellence. Developed for agricultural usage 70 years ago, the all-wheel drive vehicle has developed into a popular universal talent for a vast range of different jobs. Yet all of the model variants have one thing in common: they can handle difficult terrain, treacherous surfaces and are at home beyond the bounds of sealed roads. The Unimog reigns supreme where other vehicles fail. The U 5030, modified by Hellgeth, provides even more performance, comfort and terrain capabilities than its standard counterpart and can handle even the most difficult conditions.
Body manufacturer
Hellgeth engineering
Drive system
4x4 all-wheel drive
Gearbox
8 forwards and 6 reverse gears, permanent all-wheel drive
Engine
6-cylinder diesel engine with a 7.7 l displacement
Service
220 kW (300 hp), 1,200 Nm
Technical maximum speed
90 km/h (electronically governed)
Wading depth
120 cm
Ground clearance below the axles
50 cm
Equipment
expedition vehicle or as a rally vehicle
Driving slope angle
up to 50°
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6x6, built by Oberaigner, is almost unstoppable. Permanent all-wheel drive, a raised air intake and special off-road tires make the van a true all-terrain vehicle. The entire underbody around the exotic 6x6 powertrain has been redesigned and is robust enough to handle the demanding conditions of even the most difficult terrain. The increased payload of up to four tonnes enables the van to be fitted with almost any imaginable body design – from a classic flatbed with a high payload to a fully equipped fire-fighting vehicle for inaccessible regions.
Body manufacturer
Oberaigner
Frame
Original Mercedes-Benz frame reinforced by Oberaigner
Drive system
6x6 all-wheel drive
Gearbox
5-speed automatic transmission, permanent all-wheel drive
Engine
519 CDI, 6-cylinder diesel engine
Service
140 kW (190 hp), 440 Nm
Technical maximum speed
100 km/h (electronically governed)
Wading depth
65 cm
Ground clearance below the axles
Unloaded: front 322 mm, rear 257 mm; loaded: front 256 mm, rear 257 mm
Equipment
Two different wheelbases, available with a double cabin
Driving slope angle
Between 32° and 44°, depending on the wheelbase
Payload
Increased payload up to 4,000 kg
Permissible nose weight
max. 140 kg
Shooting this extreme test takes the camera team to an off-road park near Germany's capital of Berlin. The location features sand, steep inclines and mud pits, creating a challenging environment in which vehicles can demonstrate their capabilities. Pyrotechnics experts create a powerful atmosphere along with an impressive backdrop using smoke effects. After dark, the team illuminates the scene with Bengal fire and flares so that the vehicles can keep on driving. The vehicles create an entertaining show as they tackle steeper and steeper inclines. Roaring engines echo through the otherwise quiet forest.
After two days of shooting, both vehicles have a real "off-road look": the hoods, windscreens and wheel arches are covered in dirt and mud. But despite their hard-use look, neither the Unimog nor the Sprinter submit to the difficult terrain. In the end, the true winners are the drivers themselves, who tested their vehicles under these extreme conditions.