Encyclopedia
Unimog & MB-trac
Technical sheets, history and uses of every model, in one place.
The Unimog: over 75 years of innovation
Born in post-war Germany in 1946, the Unimog (UNIversal MOtor Gerät) was designed to feed a starving nation. From that humble agricultural tool, Mercedes-Benz created one of the most capable off-road vehicles ever built. With portal axles, a flexible frame and four equal-size wheels, the Unimog can cross obstacles that stop conventional trucks and tractors in their tracks.
This encyclopedia covers every series from the Boehringer U 70200 of 1948 to the current U 5023 and U 530, with full technical specifications, production dates and detailed descriptions.
Explore all Unimog modelsThe MB-trac: when agriculture met Unimog
From 1972 to 1991, Mercedes-Benz produced the MB-trac, an agricultural tractor directly derived from Unimog technology. The MB-trac brought the legendary reliability and versatility of the Unimog into the fields of Europe and beyond, available from 65 to 300 hp across three series.
Find here the complete technical sheets for the MB-trac 440, 441 and 442/443 series, with their specifications and production history.
Explore MB-trac models1946, The origins
The very first Unimog
From Albert Friedrich's prototype, built to revive the agriculture of a broken nation, came a machine that would go on to cross every terrain on earth.
A vehicle for every mission
From agriculture to firefighting, from rail maintenance to leisure, the Unimog's unique design makes it the tool of choice in the most demanding environments on earth.
8 decades of history
From October 1946, when engineer Albert Friedrich completed the first prototype, to the 2013 introduction of BlueTec 6 engines, the Unimog's history is one of constant reinvention.
Born as a simple farming tool, within a few decades the Unimog had won over armies, fire services, railways and municipalities around the world. Discover the full story: the Boehringer era, the move to Gaggenau, the creation of the implement-carrier branch, and the shift to Wörth am Rhein.
Read the full history- 1946First prototype completed by Albert Friedrich
- 1948Production begins at Boehringer (U 70200)
- 1951Taken over by Daimler-Benz, built at Gaggenau
- 1972Launch of the MB-trac, the agricultural derivative
- 2002Assembly moves to Wörth am Rhein
- 2013BlueTec 6 engines and the U 4023 / U 5023 range
Today, The off-road range
The modern Unimog
299 hp, portal axles inherited from 1946 and on-board electronics: today's Unimog still tackles the terrain nothing else can cross.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Unimog?
- The Unimog (UNIversal MOtor Gerät) is a multi-purpose off-road vehicle produced by Mercedes-Benz since 1948. It is used worldwide in agriculture, firefighting, construction, railway maintenance and military applications.
- How many Unimog models exist?
- Since 1948, Mercedes-Benz has produced over 30 different Unimog series with more than 260 model variants, from the original U 70200 (Boehringer) to the current U 5023 and U 530.
- What is the MB-trac?
- The MB-trac was a range of agricultural tractors produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1972 to 1991. Derived from Unimog technology, it combined the versatility of a truck with the power of a tractor.
- What makes the Unimog unique?
- The Unimog stands out for its portal axles (which provide enormous ground clearance), equal-size wheels, flexible frame, and ability to mount implements both front and rear.
- What does the name “Unimog” mean?
- “Unimog” is the German acronym for UNIversal MOtor Gerät, literally “universal motorised machine”, a name chosen in 1946 to reflect its extreme versatility.
- Where are Unimogs built?
- After early production at Boehringer (1948-1951) and the Gaggenau plant (1951-2002), Unimogs are today assembled at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Wörth am Rhein, Germany.
- Can you still buy a new Unimog?
- Yes. Mercedes-Benz still sells two ranges: the off-road U 4023 and U 5023, and the implement carriers U 219 to U 530.
- Off-road versus implement carrier: what's the difference?
- The off-road range prioritises extreme terrain (portal axles, high ground clearance); the implement carrier range is optimised to drive municipal and agricultural equipment all year round.