At this year’s “Abenteuer & Allrad”, Europe’s largest off-road vehicle show, a custom expedition camper based on the Mercedes Unimog will be revealed which is literally the ultimate ride for every explorer! The U4000 is a bit pricey at 248,300 Euro, but no for going anywhere in style and comfort no other vehicle comes even close to this thing.

Powered by a 4249-cc four-cylinder diesel unit produces 160 kW (218 hp) the U4000 drives more like a truck, and that’s because it is one! It is 6.85-metre-long, 2.35-metre-wide and 3.50-metre-high, with a wheelbase of 3850 mm. This all-wheel-drive monster also weighs nearly 8.5 tons and comes with a 290 litres (plus two 20-litre reserve canisters) diesel tank, so you can drive through a country as big as, say, Saudi Arabia on one tank!

Some of the innovative features of the U4000:

The rear of the Bocklet accommodation module is tapered at an angle to retain the Unimog’s full off-road capabilities. The inside of the module measures 4.35 metres long and 2.20 metres wide (standing height 1.95 metres). The roof and walls of the three-point mounted, thermal bridge-free fibreglass-reinforced plastic box are 50 mm thick, standing on a 60-mm-thick floor. All the walls are finished with a 2-mm-thick fabric-reinforced outer layer. The hatches and doors all come with hollow rubber seals and multi-point locks, which help protect the stowage compartments against the ingress of dust or water.

Behind the driver’s seat is the accommodation module washroom, fitted out with a cassette toilet, wash basin and shower. Hot water is provided by a combined Truma gas/electric boiler with a capacity of 10 litres. The corner kitchen is fitted towards the rear and comes with a two-burner gas stove, sink and drainer.

A (lockable) passage leads to the cab, with a wardrobe fitted on the right behind the co-passenger seat. The 110-litre compressor fridge occupies the space up to the entrance door.

Benches arranged longitudinally to the direction of travel provide two seats with exquisite Alcantara® upholstery. Tanks and additional stowage space are housed under the dinette in the false floor. The Unimog carries around 300 litres of fresh water on-board, along with a waste tank holding 200 litres. The entire rear area is home to a 200 x 135-cm double bed. Additional stowage space, which can be accessed from outside, is provided under the bed.

The car’s nice and comfi cabin has got a diesel-powered Eberspächer hot air heater ensures a comfortable night’s sleep in colder climes or during the winter months. It also has 220 Ah of battery capacity, backed up by 260-W solar panels, an automatic charger (24 V / 50 A) and a 1.2-kW inverter. A control panel with an ampere-hour metre monitors the power system; minimal energy consumption comes courtesy of the low-energy lights and LED spots fitted in the interior. And as for the convenience features there is a TFT television plus satellite dish and a DVD player for entertainment and information during the expedition.