The Unstoppable Unimog Now Has a Lowered Version, But It's Not What You Might Expect | Carscoops

      This Unimog may feature a lowered chassis, but it wasn’t created with sportiness in mind.

      15 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      The Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks division has introduced a new version of the Unimog.

      The U 219 Low is equipped with a specialized rear platform that is 7.9 inches lower than the standard model.

      This reduced height is intended to facilitate easier loading and unloading for workers.

      The Unimog has built a reputation as one of the most off-road capable vehicles available, thanks to its portal axles, compact overhangs, and impressive ground clearance. However, it turns out that such height isn’t always advantageous. In response, Mercedes-Benz’s Special Trucks division has launched a lower variant called the U 219 Low.

      Clearly, this new Unimog is not a sporty low-rider truck. Rather, the U 219 Low prioritizes practicality. By lowering its ride height, Mercedes allows for easier loading and unloading, which is especially useful in construction zones and municipal applications. In these settings, ease of access to heavy materials like gravel and sand is critical, making this lowered version particularly effective.

      The U 219 Low is based on the entry-level Unimog, featuring a wheelbase of 2,800 mm (110.2 inches), and includes several modifications aimed at reducing its height. The chassis has been lowered by 40 mm (1.6 inches), but the notable adjustment is in the rear platform, which is positioned 200 mm (7.9 inches) lower and is situated closer to the frame.

      As a result, the loading sill height is less than 1.2 meters (47.2 inches), which is notably low for a Unimog. To provide some context, the standard U 219 has a ground clearance of 339 mm (13.3 inches), while the Low variant has a clearance of 299 mm (11.8 inches). Additionally, this lower clearance still includes a retractable ladder on the tailgate for those moments when climbing might feel a bit challenging.

      Heavy-Duty, Yet Versatile

      The rear bed, constructed by Eggers Fahrzeugbau GmbH, features a three-side tipper configuration. It measures 2.22 meters (87.4 inches) long and 2.1 meters (82.7 inches) wide, with configurable side and front walls for varying job needs. Despite the lowered height, the truck maintains the maximum permitted total mass of up to 10 tons (22,046 pounds), the same as the standard U 219.

      For those interested in tire options, the truck can be fitted with either 295/60 R22.5 or 275/70 R22.5 tires, depending on the preference for all-terrain or road tires. The design and mechanical attributes remain the same, meaning it continues to have portal axles with coil springs, just like the standard model.

      Under the hood, the vehicle is powered by a 5.1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that generates 188 hp (140 kW / 190 PS) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque, paired with a permanent all-wheel-drive system.

      Inside, the U 219 Low features the Uni-Touch operating system, which includes a touchscreen for most functions and an optional multifunctional joystick. The current generation of the Unimog was launched in 2013, showcasing redesigned cabins and new powertrains, and it continues to provide a broad variety of configurations for differing work scenarios.