After nearly 20 years without a new #Unimog casting, we were greeted with the release of the 2019 HW Hot Trucks: Mercedes-Benz Unimog 1300 as part of the #2019 Hot Wheels “A” case assortments back in October (shown in red below). Well, oddly enough, the #2018 Hot Wheels #Pop Culture line had one more series left for the year — releasing here in December — and it contained another new Unimog: the #’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300.

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series with 2019 New Models Unimog and 1995 Real Riders Unimog (stacked view)

Dressed in a drab olive green, this #First Edition of the brand-new, #’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 casting features two characters from the video game franchise, #Street Fighter. NOTE: The actual game featured (Street Fighter V) was first released in 2016. Just like the other four vehicles in this 5-car #Pop Culture series, the Unimog features two different characters on opposing sides of the vehicle. Though alternate graphics on the sides of Pop Culture releases are nothing new, it serves as a caveat to those of us who open our cars. Whats really cool about this series is that if you place the cars head-to-head you almost have your own “versus screen” … something that any one thats played a fighting video game should recall. This release has two popular characters on it with Guile “facing off” against M. Bison.

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series (side view, Guile)

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series (side view, M. Bison)

As far as how it fits in with the other #Unimog castings, the #’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 — although it looks a lot larger from the side — fits quite well (in terms of scale) with the other two. In fact, you may notice some similarities between this one that Hot Wheels designer #Mark Jones Designed and the new #2019 New Model that #Dmitriy Shakhmatov Designed, and thats because Dmitriy actually used Mark’s design as a base for the mainline release.

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series with 2019 New Models Unimog and 1995 Real Riders Unimog (front view)

As you can see, despite one being based off the other, they are two completely different #Unimogs with two different personalities. The 2019 New Model has definitely a “race team in Dakar” feel to it, versus this new premium casting which (to me) has more of a utility/military feel to it. Sure, it could be that drab green paint, but this truck looks capable of surviving some rough terrain — especially with that snorkel exhaust protruding from the side of the hood. And, with that cab on the back, it should be able to carry all the necessary supplies.

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series with 2019 New Models Unimog (head-to-head view)

One of the highlights of the #Pop Culture line is the artwork on the blister cards. Though my #Unimog didn’t stay packaged for long, I have already contemplated getting a set just for the artwork as both of the vehicles characters are featured on it — and quite colorfully might I add! Also, with Pop Culture, you also get the side-profile view of all 5 cars in the series on the back side.

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series (package view, front)

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series (package view, back)

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series (rear view)

This brand-new #Street Fighter #’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 has just started hitting stores in the U.S. within the last week. It will undoubtedly be the most popular car in the series because of it being a new, super cool casting AND because it debuts the #Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag Off-Road Wheels. The car has already made the customizing crowd giddy with the hopes of redoing a brand-new casting, and/or pillaging those brand-new wheels/tires. Either way, this one will surely be popular — I’ll be surprised if it isn’t. Look for it now.

RELEASE DETAILS: Drab Olive Green Body (metal). Clear Windows. Black Interior. Drab Olive Green Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag Off-Road Wheels. Unpainted Metal Base. Made in Thailand. Toy# FKY41. Released in 2018 as #2 of 5 in the Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series.

BONUS ROUND — You know, because M. Bison is BOSS! Flawless Vict… — oops, wrong game. 😉

Hot Wheels ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 from the 2018 Pop Culture / Street Fighter V series with 2019 New Models Unimog and 1995 Real Riders Unimog (king of the mountain view)