On a round-the-world trip with the Unimog expedition vehicle – Part 1.

We're curious: which Unimog is ELMO and how did you come by the name?

Dirk: Despite the fact that our radiator grille tells us something else, we have a U 427 1450 L with civilian equipment and 366A engine. Model year '92.

Sonja: Yes, the name. A Unimog like this is quite a size – it's a truck. And when a machine like this approaches you, it can be a bit intimidating. That's why we wanted something friendly.

Dirk: We had a brainstorming session and came up with the acronym ELMO: Expedition survivaL MObile. And as the character of Elmo is a friendly chap, it was a good fit.

Sonja: It was also practical for recognition purposes. People come up to us and say: "Are you the ELMOs" or "Are you the ELMO team?"

Let's just back-track for a moment. Why did you decide on a Unimog?

Dirk: Well, quite honestly I think the Unimog is and remains the best off-road truck in the world. As far as I'm concerned there are three manufacturers who can make portal axles. Two have cribbed and the Unimog is simply the best. Plus, I was impressed by the coil springs well before ELMO came along, having already had three Mercedes G-Class vehicles prior to that. And I also know the Unimog from my time with the military police.

Sonja: We were actually approached by someone travelling in a Magirus (editor's note: an old fire-fighting truck), who we met on the Pamir, and who told us that the standard of off-road vehicles is based on the Unimog. Apparently this is known as the Unimog Index.

Dirk: And of course we had to agree with him. The reason is – and I'm really clear about this – we'll never find out what the Unimog is capable of because we'll never encounter its limits. Right from the outset I said we'll buy the best material but try to avoid poor roads as far as possible. But should we find ourselves having to ford a river, that wouldn't present a problem, either. And that has indeed been the case so far.

Sonja: I also think the Unimog is fantastic. From a woman's perspective, too. After all, appearances count for a lot. [laughs]

Dirk: And there's another reason for choosing the Unimog. It's mechanical. That means you can even drive it on sunflower oil. You can no longer do that with newer vehicles. What we have here is the simplest form of – to put it bluntly – tractor engineering. I can go to any tractor workshop with ELMO and they'll at least know a bit about it, as the engineering is so similar. That's very practical when travelling and it's precisely what we need. But it's not all flattery: obviously there is also a negative aspect. A lot more could have been done in the way of anti-corrosion measures. Ours isn't corroding because it stood in a warm hall for 20 years. So it's as good as new. But now I can see that it's starting to suffer. But otherwise it's flawless from a purely technical point of view. In 40,000 km we haven't had a single fault. Nothing! We do drive carefully, but it's got fast axles, and it could do 110 km/h. We usually do 75, sometimes 80.

And what's ELMO like to drive?

Sonja: Our Unimog really is child's play to drive. We have a clutch pressure booster, so operating the clutch is just as easy as in a car. I can't imagine there being any difference. Look at how heavy-going the Germany Armed Forces Unimog models are, for instance. We've definitely got the cream of the crop.

Dirk: Yes, but it's got a somewhat more modern transmission with synchronisation. There's a big difference 1992 and the 1980s. You do notice it, and it's really nice to drive. It's also very forgiving. You can do 30 or 110 in eighth gear, it doesn't care. And it works perfectly on difficult terrain too. It just ploughs through in first or second gear.

Sonja: All you have to do is steer. When driving downhill it just holds back, and uphill it just carries on automatically.

Dirk: The engine has incredible power. As I've said, we'll never know where its limits are.