Rescue Mission Launched After Mercedes Sponsored Event Strands Six Vehicles

MERCEDES-Benz has launched a rescue mission to one of the most remote sites in Australia after six of its military-style wagons broke down.

Corrugations along one 70-kilometre stretch of the Canning Stock Route burst the shock absorbers on six of the seven vehicles attempting to make what the German car maker claims is the first full crossing of the 1900-kilometre route through outback Western Australia by a car manufacturer.

Five "normal" versions of the G-Class off-roader - and one military-specification ute - started to burst mainly rear shock absorbers while travelling along stretches of the stock route extending from Well 33 to Well 35.

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Willis - 8/8/2011 4:41:08 PM

-1 Boost

I would hardly call shock absorbers major components, but if you happened to read the daily diary of the G Wagen CSR trip, these vehicles were loaded to the hilt, some even had their back seats removed to fit in extra camping equipment, as well as 150kg on the roof racks.

Pretty impressive vehicles to have ONLY shock absorber failures given their loadout.

Yonder7 - 8/8/2011 5:30:32 PM

-1 Boost

Willis: I agree with you, I you try that with other 4x4 most of them will have MAJOR COMPONENTS Fails. For the that is one of the ugliest 4x4 but recognized as on of the best.

Willis - 8/9/2011 3:23:59 AM

-1 Boost

Thanks.

For this kind of off-roading job the standard suspension components should also have been replaced with more durable heavy duty components as is the NORM when you're planning on taking on heavy terrain. I believe these G classes were G500s, which aren't really made for such trips (more to the golf club and back). Admittedly MB has softened up the G class for its target market, but I recall that they also offer a more hardcore and basic G class with a more tougher suspension (G270 diesel worker or something I believe it is called).

Yonder7 - 8/8/2011 6:14:45 PM

+2 Boost

blazinboy: Sad but true..

Steve - 8/8/2011 9:04:50 PM

0 Boost

Steve's two cents: Put on suitable shocks, and play it again, Sam.

veyron1001 - 8/8/2011 10:06:21 PM

+4 Boost

Imagine if they used the Ford raptor. Now that would be major component failure.