Mercedes UNIMOG

How does this sound... a vehicle that changes from left to right-hand drive in 40 seconds? It's true - meet the amazing Mercedes Unimog. Compared to this, Jeep Wranglers are for wimps, and the Land Rover Defender is a big girl's blouse. A Hummer? Bring it on and watch sand being kicked in its face.

The Unimog is acknowledged as the king of 4x4s, able to tackle terrain which would swallow a Land Rover whole. So when a chance came to put the latest model through its paces, we snatched the keys and headed for the muddiest field we could find.

When stepping into most cars, the driver needs to adjust the seat and tune the radio. In the Unimog, you select which side of the cab you want to drive from. With the optional Variopilot system, you simply remove the centre plastic dash trim, yank a lever on the steering column, and the foot pedals fold in. Then tug the wheel across and the instrument panel, plus the wheel and pedal unit, slide to the other side of the cab. Now clonk the lever in place, replace the trim and you are ready to get going.

Mercedes intends this to help workers who perform tasks such as hedge trimming, where it is useful for the driver to be close to the kerb for visibility. However, think of the other possibilities - those trips to France to stock up on Beaujolais and Brie would be much easier. And with a payload that's nine times heavier than the average Transit's, you'll be able to carry much more, too. It's also certain to cause quite a stir among other day-trippers. At 2,830mm high, the Unimog is as tall as a couple of C-Class sal-oons stacked on top of each other, yet it's only marginally longer and wider than an S-Class.

Once you have worked your way through a bewildering array of switches and knobs to start the 4.2-litre engine, you are ready to move off. The gearbox has a pre-selector, so you choose the ratio but nothing happens until the clutch is dipped. It takes getting used to, but allows time to work out which of eight forward and six reverse gears you need. Release the handbrake, and the Mog charges forward with a growl from the four-cylinder 150bhp turbo-diesel. If 150bhp doesn't sound much, try 580Nm of torque - that's enough to pull a 1,000-tonne train.

It also means nothing will stop it off-road. Slopes which could accurately be called cliffs are climbed with ease, while deep water is treated like a puddle. If you think any other vehicle is better in the rough, try a Unimog - it will persuade you to swap sides.

At a glance

* Mercedes' ultimate off-roader, on sale now priced between