The mighty Unimog turned 60 last week, and Mercedes-Benz is celebrating with an all-new amphibian-inspired Unimog concept that hints at off-road vehicles of the past and future.

Based on the current U 5000 chassis, the “Concept Design 60 Years Unimog” (something got lost in translation) is an homage to extreme off-roaders past. With prominent fenders and a bright green hood, it’s also intentionally reminiscent of a poison dart frog. Mercedes said the comparison is accurate, as the both the frog and the Mog are “extremely mobile both in water and on land.”

Like the first ever example that rolled out of the plant in Gaggenau, Germany, the 60 Years Unimog is also an open-air vehicle, with seats the driver and passenger can easily hop into. Considering that Unimogs are frequently seen in war zones and at construction sites, it’s pretty sure a roof will be standard equipment for years to come.

The designers have also made sure to highlight one of the Unimog’s most important features: those massive coil springs that allow the truck to seemingly defy the laws of physics by keeping all four wheels on the ground even at the most extreme angles. On the 60 Years Unimog, they’re painted a shade of bright red that’s sure to make the marketing department and dealers smile.

As far as sheetmetal, or lack thereof, Mercedes claims the concept represents the new “face” of their commercial vehicles. Though we find it eerily reminiscent of a dirt bike trapped under the hood of a GLK, it’s nice to see an automaker go through the effort to draw up a radical concept for such a function-first vehicle — especially one that’s been through so few exterior renovations during it’s long and iconic production run.

According to Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks director Yaris Pürsün, the folks at Mercedes had fun building it, too. “From the very beginning there was a unique spirt of cooperation. It has been a very emotional project which we all became very attached to,” he said.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz