Although the French military, amongst the first buyers outside of Germany, would have been satisfied with a diesel variant, US influence within NATO prompted the adoption of a more powerful petrol-engined variant.
DB (Daimler-Benz) had in fact been experimenting with the UNIMOG concept as early as 1946 and had used the M136 petrol engine from the 170V passenger car but in 1955, after considering 4-cylinder alternatives, it was decided to use the 6-cylinder M180 out of the 220 car.
The petrol-engined UNIMOG-S was an immediate success with all military customers throughout Europe and beyond.
U80 wheelbase 2670mm intro: 1955 U82 2900mm 1956 U110 2900mm 1972Production volumes:
1955-1977 63,420 1978 53 1979 758 1980 11 TOTAL 64,242Source: 'Die Geschichte des MB Unimog', Joerg-Erhard Hofelich, BLV Munich, ISBN 3405135869.