In a marathon similar to the Peking to Paris race of 1907, Merecedes Benz has set up a race of sorts for it’s diesel E320’s. The two differences are that Peking is now Beijing and instead of a race for speed this is more of a race for the best fuel mileage.

In the original race forty entrants signed up, but only 5 teams went through with shipping their cars to Peking. Even though the committe cancelled the race those five teams went on with it. The prize was to be a magnum of Mumm champagne. The reason for the race:

“What needs to be proved today is that as long as a man has a car, he can do anything and go anywhere. Is there anyone who will undertake to travel this summer from Peking to Paris by automobile?“

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