Share

Unimog becomes Lego's largest toy

If you're looking for a the world’s most capable civilian adventure and rescue vehicle it has to be Mercedes-Benz’s Unimog.

The problem with owning one is that they are rather large and don’t really fit into most suburban garages.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011, Mercedes-Benz decided to commission the world’s greatest toy engineering brand to pay homage to Unimog - and allow brand fanatics to (finally) park a Mog in their living room without too much hassle.

ULTIMATE OFF-ROAD TOY

The result is Lego’s new Unimog U 400. Built to 1:12.5 scale, it’s the Danish toy brand’s biggest product yet at 408mm bumper-to-bumper and 232mm tall, consisting of 2048 modules.

Featuring electric drive and a range of pneumatics, thanks to a joint-venture technology transfer with Mercedes-Benz, this ultimate Lego truck’s loadbed-mounted crane unit (with grip arm) is powered by on-board pneumatics and can rotate and function through a full 360-degree of motion.

As one would expect from a Lego/Mercedes joint venture, attention to detail is magnificent. The engine construction is accurate down to the actual piston lay-out and, just like the signature portal-axle drivetrain of the life-size Unimog, the Lego version has a special gear unit that ensures it has unmatched ground clearance for a build-it-yourself toy.

Set to go on sale by August 2011 at a price of around R2000, the Lego U400 ‘Mog is sure to delight fathers as much as the sons for which it will, at least ostensibly, be bought.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE