Its almost been 20 years since we’ve seen a #Unimog in the Hot Wheels mainline! Can you believe that?!?!? Well, I am pleased to say that the void is over as the brand-new, #Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300 is a #2019 New Model. Gone is the military-style — complete with detachable canopy — body of the former Unimog casting that Hot Wheels produced from 1991 until 2001. Its succeeded by a Unimog 1300 that looks like its straight out of the Dakar Rally.
Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300 from the 2019 HW Hot Trucks series with Mercedes-Benz Unimog from the 1995 Real Riders Series
The new Hot Wheels #Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300 casting — shown here with the 1995 Real Riders Series release of the original Mercedes-Benz Unimog — was designed by Hot Wheels Designer, Dmitriy “Dima” Shakhmatov. Dima’s take on the #Unimog is ultra-cool with its large wheels, stretched wheel base, and all the little details that are cast into this vehicle. Can you believe this thing fits the Hot Wheels mainline requirement of four pieces? Its does… Compare it to the 5-piece older Unimog casting and you can see how remarkable the design of the Unimog 1300 truly is.
Amid all the details in this new #First Edition of the Hot Wheels #Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300, is what resides in the bed. I’ll have to reach out to Dima and ask him what the items are specifically. As far as I can tell, there looks to be a tool box, containers (for gas, water and other liquids), a lift, a crate (full of spare parts?), a huge smoke stack, AND two spare wheels — and this is just the detail in the bed. Molded into the casting’s intricate plastic base are a gas tank, some electric panels, and even some steps so the driver can get into cab.
Enough can’t be said about how truly magnificent this new #Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300 is. #Dmitriy Shakhmatov Designed a beast of a casting here, as its one I am tempted to buy a second of just to throw into my kids sandbox for good measure. I know if I had this when I was young, thats where it would have lived.
Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300 from the 2019 HW Hot Trucks series climbing the Mercedes-Benz Unimog from the 1995 Real Riders Series
In case you ever forget who designed this casting, you’ll notice Hot Wheels Graphic Designer, Jerry Thienprasiddhi plastered Dima’s name all over it, along with the fictional logo for “Shak Shocks”. This is not a bad thing as a) it helps you remember the designer, and b) its a great design.
So far we have seen only a handful of #2019 New Models released since we are still on the first case assortment for the year. However, if you’re following our 2019 New Models TRACKER, you’ll notice another stacked lineup of new, #First Edition castings — this one included.
RELEASE DETAILS: Red Body (metal). Clear Windows. Black Interior. Gray Bead-Lock Off-Road Wheels. Gray Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# FYB55. Released in 2019 as #4 of 10 in the HW Hot Trucks Series (#7/250 in the 2019 mainline).
Categories: Showcase
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 
I like this model. I have a few thoughts on what you said here. It’s funny how everyone thinks of the old Unimog as a military vehicle when it’s first release back in 1991 came with ‘Castrol Research Team’ deco. And I too like having the designers name incorporated as part of the Tampo, it’s an Easter egg for us who are in the know haha.
Thanks for pointing that out, Reece! I always associate the 1993 camo version with being the first, but in reality it was that Castrol Research Team one that came out first in 1991.
No probs Brad. I just picked one of the 1991 up myself. Slowly back-filling the first-edition blackwalls.
point of fact….
weather (or not) it said ” Castrol Research Team ” on the side…..
that Unimog was ‘in fact’ the Military version of the 1300
Trouble with the casting is…
it was too small,
it actually scale out to around 1/87 for the wheel base and the bed.
but the cab was forced to be around 1/64.
The new Unimog is closer to the correct size, to include it’s large wheels.
and it seems that you may have forgotten the Street Fighter version.
Which is even closer to the military version.
With a back shelter more akin to the back of a Humvee Ambulance
Good write-up Brad, I picked up two of these at Target last week pretty cool.
Like!