A giant Unimog 5000 SUV, Spotted in China in the Beijing Tuning Street. The Unimog 500, dubbed the largest SUV in the world, is based on the Unimog S5000 utility vehicle, that also comes in various military variants. Originally, there was only one Unimog 5000 SUV, converted for a wealthy Chinese businessman by an Austrian company called MS Design.

With a Chery A3 sedan.

This original example was spotted for sale in Shanghai in 2012, featuring a shiny chimney and headlights positioned on each side of the grille, instead of in the bumper. After that initial vehicle several others followed, each slightly different in looks and configuration. The U5000 became such a success that a Chinese company called Haiqiao Industry joined the game with their own interpretation of the U5000. Then in October last year we saw a giant campervan variant with a luxurious interior.

This particular example appeared brand new, with the…

… transport stickers still on the bumper, apparently imported from European Union, but who exactly is responsible for the conversion is unclear. The base U5000 is powered by a 4.8 liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 286hp@2200rpm and 810nm@1200-1800rpm, but stronger engines are surely available if the honored customer wants more…

Vehicles like this cannot get a passenger-car license plate in China. They are classified as trucks which means they cannot legally enter any city center. In Beijing everything within the Fifth Ring counts as the city proper. The Tuning Street is just outside the Fourth Ring, but the U5000 isn’t moving, so I guess it is technically all right then.