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/attachment.php?attachmentid=1424
http://www.offroadchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=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/attachment.php?attachmentid=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
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/attachment.php?attachmentid=1424
http://www.offroadchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=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/attachment.php?attachmentid=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