Mercedes-Benz Unimog 404

The Unimog 404, also called the Unimog S and Unimog 404 S, is a vehicle of the Unimog-series by Mercedes-Benz, produced in the Unimog plant in Gaggenau from 1955 to 1980. Unlike the Unimog 400, the 404 is rather a small 1.5-tonne-offroad-truck than an agricultural vehicle. In Germany, it was a common military vehicle and fire engine, 36,000 Unimog 404 were made for the Bundeswehr.

The first Unimog 404 concept-vehicle was made in 1953 and was slightly smaller than the series production model, it had a track width of 1,600 mm (63 in) and a wheelbase of 2,670 mm (105 in). Two prototypes for the French army followed in 1954, the first 1,100 series production models were also purchased by the French army. Since the French army did not want the spare wheel to occupy space for soldiers on the bed, the Daimler-Benz engineers decided to build the Unimog 404 with a downswept frame so the spare wheel could be mounted underneath the bed. This constructional feature also allowed more torsional flexing and, therefore, improved the offroad capabilities of the Unimog. Later, the downswept frame became a key constructional feature for the following Unimog types.

At its introduction in 1955, the Unimog 404.1 was available as the 2,700 mm (106 in) wheelbase model with the Otto engine M 180 producing 60 kW (80 hp; 82 PS). In 1956, the 2,900 mm (114 in) wheelbase model of the 404.1 followed, available with the same engine. Both were sold as Unimog U82. The production of the U82 with the short wheelbase was stopped in 1971, while the long wheelbase model was built until 1980. Starting from 1971, the Unimog 404.0, sold as Unimog U110, was offered. It was fitted with the cab of the Unimog 406 and soon afterwards, with the model 404.012, it received the M 130 engine. However, only 1,791 404.0 were made. Also, 81 Unimog 404 were made with the diesel engine OM 615 (44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS)) for the Portuguese market.

Assembly: Gaggenau (West Germany)

Years of production: 1955—1980

Production: 64,242 units

Length: 4600—5025 mm

Width: 2130—2130 mm

Height: 2190—2250 mm

Engine: 6 cylinders; 2196 cc

Power: 82 HP

Maximum speed: 95 km/h

Weight: 2970 kg

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