The Feldberg region, in Germany's Black Forest
mountains, is a tourist magnet that attracts more than 9 million visitors
annually, and given its nature, it's imperative that there is a proper search
and rescue team in place.
Estimated to participate in up to 600 emergency
rescue operations each year, the local mountain rescue service now has a potent
off-roader, with enough versatility to cope with just about everything at their
disposal in the form of a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 4000.
Delivered by the automaker's Special Trucks division
as a loan, the vehicle, which was nicknamed "The Rock", can seat up
to seven people and still has enough space to store all the necessary rescue
materials in modules that are loaded in trolleys to equip it as soon as
possible. Depending on the emergency situation, the rugged Merc' can be fitted
with tents equipped for providing first-aid to victims, and avalanche and flood
modules, in addition to the emergency lights and cablecar and illumination
modules.
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 4000 has a wheelbase of
3,850 mm, frame torsion of up to 600 mm when driving off-road, approach and
departure angles of 44 degrees at the front and 51 degrees at the rear, ramp
angle of 34 degrees, and climbing ability of 45 degrees. There is also a
lateral inclination angle of up to 38 degrees and a maximum fording depth of
1.20 meters. Power is provided by a 218 horsepower four-cylinder diesel engine,
which pushes the output to an all-wheel drive system.
