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Hardcore off-road enthusiasts agree that the Unimog has won them over and have give it top ranking in the world of cross-country vehicles.

The Unimog ? a name derived from its original German description Universal-motor-gerat (Universal motor machine) ? is not just universal in its capabilities but also its appeal.

The squat, large-wheeled, high-riding vehicle began life as a self-propelled agricultural transport and power machine and its durability, flexible frame and extremely high ground clearance ensured that it was soon to be found in jungles, deserts, swamps, mountain valleys and just about anywhere else that conventional vehicles cannot go. Or as Mercedes says : "Unimog vehicles get through where others cannot even get in".

It is also these qualities that clinched the best cross-country vehicle award for the Unimog. Readers of "Off Road" magazine voted the vehicle no. 1 in the Special-Purpose Vehicles category, with over 48 000 votes cast for the competition.

In southern Africa, the Unimog has found many callings. On local shores ? literally ? Vereeniging foundry entrepreneur Grant Estman had a Unimog built as a sport fisherman?s vehicle to tow his fishing vessel and equipment.

Estamn said: "As soon as I drove the vehicle, I knew I had not made a mistake. I was actually more impressed with the vehicle once I discovered and experienced all the extra convenience features such as the quick reverse function, which is of huge benefit to me. ?

A Unimog also is giving service as a fire tender in Namibia . A U4000 chassis-cab was imported from Germany and the super structure was custom-built locally, over a six-month period.

The City of Windhoek marked the arrival of the new addition to their fire-fighting fleet with a road trip that ended in the Cape Town, South Africa.