Mercedes-Benz.

G-Series Vehicles.

This is perhaps one of, if not the best 4X4 in the world? Developed jointly between Germany and Austria is has taken the military, para-military and police security market. The first generation vehicles were built between 1970 to 1979, with the second generation concept being laid down in 1976.

Austrian Steyr Pusch-G entering the market with the U.S from 1993, while the German 1990-96 model was already well established. There are too many sub models to list, but initially powerful engines were employed, I suppose for military towing capability, and recovery of various loads.

The Austrian version looks like a dedicated military vehicle, but the second generation has joined its German counterpart in style and civil looks.

Today there are various civil takes on the Jeep, but they look more car like or SUV/waggons to appeal to private security and farming vehicles.

Road-Rail Vehicles.

Today the most famous road-rail vehicle is the German Mercedes-Benz Unimog truck. It is capable of several great feats, one it has a 70% gradient ability and the other on the rails it can pull or shunt up to 1300 tones.

Other vehicles that can do similar feats are the Atlas road-rail truck. Many vehicles have been adapted to do this type of work and the history of them, began with the advent of the invention of the petrol engined car. It was first the military who devised in Germany, Austria, Poland and Russia the need to build armoured trains. Some parts of these trains had armoured cars and even for a time tanks/MBT were facilitated to be used in the same manner.

Russian phased out its last armoured trains in 1992, but the use of road-rail vehicles remains.