Unicat on International chassis

[haven]

Unicat is under bankruptcy protection, but that hasn't stopped their
affiliate, Unicat Americas, from building a version for the North
American market.

The problem is that the diesel 4x4 trucks Unicat uses (Unimog, MAN,
Volvo, etc) are not certified for use in the good ol' USA. The solution
is to create a semi-custom International 7400 4x4 chassis with super
single off-road tires.

Here's what the International 7400 chassis looked like as it was prepped
for transport:



The cab/chassis and Unicat shelter were combined at the Unicat facility
in Germany, then taken to the northern Sahara for a couple of weeks
of testing. Afterwards, the truck was shipped/driven to the Unicat
Americas facility in Palo Alto, CA.

Here are links to two "spy" photos of the completed camper taken by the
folks at USA6x6. This company is working on a three axle 6x6 version of
an F550 for Unicat Americas, which will be cheaper than the
International 7400.

http://www.offroadchat.com/attachmen...achmentid=1424

http://www.offroadchat.com/attachmen...achmentid=1425

My guess is that, in the future, when a customer orders the Unicat built
on an International 7400 chassis, i think the shelter will be built in Germany
using dimensions and templates created when the 7400 chassis was in
their hands. The shelter will then be shipped to USA for final assembly.

Unicat Americas will attend the SEMA show with this vehicle. Their booth
is # 33935, but the truck will be in a "Featured Vehicles" area.

Here's a link to a photo of a customer's Unicat, built on the USA version
of the U500 Unimog.

http://www.offroadchat.com/attachmen...achmentid=1426

Avi Meyers, director of Unicat Americas, tells me that 2006 will be the
last year of production for USA-spec U500s. I think that Mercedes
won't have a U500 that meets USA diesel emissions rules in 2007.

I hope Unimogs eventually will be equipped with the Bluetec urea-injection
system Mercedes is planning to use in its SUVs and Sprinters. It would
be sad to think the only Unimogs we can dream of purchasing are 25 year
old Bundeswehr castoffs.

Chip Haven

[FJ Cruiser]

found this article on them on ORC:

http://outdoors.off-road.com/outdoor...=380126&ref=25

http://unicatamericas.com/en/intro.html

[Robthebrit]

Regarding the U500, Ma Benz intends to import enough 2006 models to last for the next couple of years. At this point they will replace the U500 with a newer version using the euro 5 spec engine (this engine apparently meets all regultions world wide)

Rob

[Joaquin Suave]

[charlieaarons]

I hope Rob is right about D-B importing a bunch of U500s and then re-introducing it with Euro 5, because the blue one is mine and I'd like to see more around. Where did he get his information?

Charlie

[Scott Brady]

Welcome to ExPo Charlie; fantastic mog you have there

[imagodave]

http://www.unicatamericas.com/index.html

Met someone related to these guys today, saw the sites previously posted, this looked like the new and improved version.

Wow, the ultimate motorhome.

[haven]

I exchanged email messages with Avi Meyers recently. Avi reports that he expects to take delivery of an International MXT chassis shortly. The MXT will have up-rated axles so the GVWR will be high enough for a small Unicat camper to be carried safely. The new expedition vehicle based on the MXT should be finished by next Spring.

I told Avi about the cab-forward UD Truck models with Pioneer 4 Wheel Drive conversion. Avi was interested. The International 7400 is not as maneuverable as cab forward trucks like the Unimog or MAN used by Unicat in Europe. And the 7400 is a lot more expensive than the comparable UD model. Since the UD 4x4 chassis is available with GVWR from 20,000 to 33,000 lbs, UD could work with any Unicat cabin, even the cool models with the pop-up roof.



Time to buy more lottery tickets!

[Desertoutpost]

Time to buy more lottery tickets!

Now that is what I'm talking about!!!