Mercedes-Benz Completes the Canning Stock Route

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has completed one of the toughest driving challenges in the world, the Canning Stock Route.

Labelled by many experts as one of the toughest journeys in the world, the complete drive from Wiluna to Well 51 and Stretch Lagoon covers over 1,650 kilometres in length and took some 11 days to complete. The eleven day drive over this gruelling terrain kicked off in Perth when the support crew drove the seven vehicles from Perth to Wiluna - a distance of 955 km.

The Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Australia/Pacific Mr Horst von Sanden said “Just as the G-Class has stayed true to its unique heritage, we wanted to demonstrate the unique heritage and challenge of the far north of WA and the Canning Stock Route delivers that and more. I am very proud of my team, the local and international journalists and our support crew for completing this epic journey. It’s a fantastic achievement, well done”.

On July 28 the first group of international media flew to Wiluna for the first seven day leg. On August 3 the second group of media flew in from all over the world to Well 33 to complete the toughest challenge the Australian Outback could muster. They took over from group one for the final leg of the drive.

The Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, David McCarthy said “With temperatures averaging 32 degrees Celsius the team were faced with a very dry track; the Canning Stock Route was in its absolute worst condition. At no stage were we unable to keep going and finish the trek”, said McCarthy.

No other manufacturer has ever embarked on this type of journey with a standard vehicle, let alone a convoy of seven vehicles with media. From Wiluna to Well 51 a distance of some 1,650 km took 11 days and the team beat every imaginable challenge the Outback could throw at the vehicles.