The Canning-Stock Route between Halls Creek and Wiluna Western Australia conjures up images of an unforgiving desert with two-track disappearing off into far the horizon. You can imagine watching your mileage to ensure you can make it to the next fuel stop or water well.
So basically, it’s the ultimate dream trip for any overlander!
The Canning-Stock Route also has a nasty reputation. The track is rough, there is basically zero support for its entire 1,150 miles, and the heat, dust, and mud are known to devour underprepared vehicles. Which makes it the perfect proving ground for the INEOS Grenadier.
For those unfamiliar with the Grenadier, it is a forthcoming “uncompromising off-roader” inspired by the original Land Rover Defender. Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, says of the Grenadier, “We want to build the world’s purest 4×4 and are aiming it at explorers, farmers, and off-road enthusiasts across the globe.” That sounds like a tall order to accomplish. But if you’re going to prove your mettle, then taking a stock Grenadier across the Canning-Stock Route without issues will certainly help buoy that claim!
READ MORE: How to Overland Without a Refrigerator
As part of the Grenadier’s 1.1-million-mile real-world testing program Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive, wrote on Instagram, “We have a Grenadier prototype down in Australia and will tackle the Canning Stock Route with a final series prototype around May/June this year.”
Unlike earlier hand-built prototypes, the final series will be assembled on INEOS’s new production line in Hambach, France. So this will be a test of vehicles very closely resembling the Grenadier’s that will be available to the public sometime in late 2022. If they manage to successfully complete the Canning-Stock Route with little or no issue, then the title of “uncompromising off-roader” will be very hard to dispute. We will be excitedly watching for updates!
