If you know the Mercedes Unimog at all, you'll know that it was designed for everything from traversing jungles and fighting wars to participating in the Dakar Rally, the most demanding off road event there is. For the adventurers at Arksen, that toughness wasn’t nearly tough enough - and anyway what about the essential luxurious touches? The Arksen U1700 that you see here is the result, and we’re sold already.
While the average soldier or jungle hacker may not mind a standard utilitarian Unimog, the rest of us need a little more to tempt us out into the real great outdoors. That’s the outdoors way beyond the local park or green belt. Arksen’s U1700 has an air conditioned, sound proofed cab, extended to seat up to six in real comfort. Trim? Vegan leather, since you ask. The local wildlife will appreciate that.
From sea to land
Arksen are best known for their range of marine vessels, engineered for a combination of ultra-toughness and a degree of sybaritic comfort. They’re applied these same principes to the Unimog. First step is they’ll source a suitable Unimog for you, and naturally you’ll get to approve of their choice of donor vehicle first, if you’re commissioning a bespoke build, which naturally we’d advise you to do. Not everyone has the same colourway of vegan leather in mind.
Aesthetics, say Arksen, are marine inspired, with the idea that you’ll have a mobile sanctuary against the elements. There’s seating for five with game viewing through adjacent windows as you sample your lunch created in the indoor kitchen. There’s an outside kitchen - and shower - to complement the internal appointments. Bathe inside? Of course.
Propulsion is by an upgraded version of the Unimog’s 5.7-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel, manufactured by the Unimog’s maker, Mercedes-Benz, so it’s unlikely to break down. Wheels are simply huge - they’re 20-inch Hutchinson bead lock rims shod with 46-inch tyres. Rocks? Streams? Mountains? No problem.
Arksen U1700: More than just a vehicle
Problem with what to wear? Arksen know where you’re coming from. Try any Arksen go-anywhere apparel from the spring/summer 2025 collection and you’re in the right direction. Each piece is engineered not only for your jungle adventures, but to look effortlessly stylish in any urban environment that you encounter too.
That’s the benefit of marine-adventure influenced design: rugged enough for tough conditions, sufficiently fashionable for the rough and tumble of that cocktail party. The Nox hoodie, designed with a functional twist on the enduring classic, is a favourite for all seasons, for instance. Arksen’s Limosa zip-through track top is another essential, constructed from recycled Italian polyester.
As for your Arksen U1700, we suspect the cost - price strictly on application - is in the "if you have to ask you can’t afford it" category. Whatever the price tag, it’ll be as of nothing when you wake up in the jungle, knowing that wherever you want to go, the U1700 will take you there. Wake up to the roar of lions? We look forward to joining you.
Next up: Arksen's teched-out essentials are ready for anything.
