We take a closer look at overlanding’s most unique vehicles. Some within reach, most not even within the stratosphere.
could preface this piece with with any number of justifications as to why its necessary, but I’m going to call it what it is: This is an unapologetic celebration of unmitigated excess. Below is a collection of overland vehicles that push well beyond adequate and into the rarified air of exotic status. While a handful are actually priced within reach, they may be unattainable to most of us for a variety of reasons. Some are one-offs and not even for sale. Without further ado, we present to you a handful of the world’s overland exotics.
Mercedes Benz Gelandewagen Entdecker
Designed by Alex Beccaria and Stanley Illman in 2009, the Entdecker represents one of the most capable vehicles ever assembled. Built on the commercial 461 G-wagen platform, the Entdecker is constructed to military grade standards with nearly every facet of the vehicle boasting the most durable and overbuilt components available. It is as close to a late model tank as you can buy, and you can buy one. For the paltry sum of $200,000 and change, you can have your own Mil-Spec Mercedes. Read more about the Entdecker [HERE] on Expedition Portal.
EarthRoamer XV-HD
If you want to get behind the wheel of EarthRoamer’s newest luxury liner, you’re going to not only need to get in line quickly, you’ll have to pony up a cool three quarters of a million bucks for the privilege. Built around Ford’s hulking F-650 chassis, this is an imposing machine. By the numbers it produces 800 foot pounds of torque, rolls on 46-inch tires, stores 146 gallons of fuel and has a GVWR of 26,000 pounds. With a habitat as finely appointed as any luxury yacht, this is the apogee of fine living paired to remote off-road travel. www.earthroamer.com
Arctic Trucks 6×6, Purpose-Built for Antarctica
Big ambitions require big tires, and lots of them. The Arctic Trucks 6×6 Hilux pictured above was built for the express purpose of tackling the cruel conditions of the southernmost continent. The huge 44-inch tires are propelled by a 3.0-liter common rail diesel engine that once turned on, is not switched off until the full scope of the journey is complete. The large cargo deck is designed to haul all of the supplies needed to survive Antarctica, and that bumper is not a fashion statement, it’s a hopeful attempt to not vanish forever down the gaping abyss of a glacial crevasse. So how much does something like this run? As the saying goes, if you have to ask… Rumor has it $300,000 will get your name on the list and an equal amount will almost get it to its intended playground…almost. www.arctictrucks.com
Jeep Wrangler Africa Concept
Throw all the money you have at this one, you can’t have it. A concept from Jeep recently revealed in Moab last month, the Africa features an extended cargo area, a raised roof, steel wheels and that most coveted of attributes, a diesel engine. Purported to be so well assembled it could be driven on any ambitious expedition starting tomorrow, this show pony will likely only traverse the looky-loo circuit before being dismantled. Hopefully this one-off will make it to production, but I’m not holding my breath.
Expeditions 7 Toyota Land Cruiser 78 Series
It is not enough to just add any 78 Series Land Cruiser to this list. Expeditions 7 holds a rare trophy as having the only vehicle to travel on all seven continents. To achieve that end, their Cruisers were outfitted with the very best components and accessories in the overlanding business. So well built were the trucks, and so reliable is the platform, that they suffered no failures, not even a flat tire in a double lap around the globe. Although these trucks are not unobtainium, they are only sold in select markets around the globe and they cost a pretty penny. Outfit a 78 to the nines and you’ll be forced to part with well over $150,000US.
