140 Years of Innovation: Mercedes-Benz has been shaping the future of mobility since the invention of the automobile

The future never ends: highlights from 140 years of Mercedes-Benz history

• Innovation as a principle: progress at Mercedes-Benz is driven by consistent forward thinking
• High-tech becomes everyday reality: future technologies are systematically developed, tested and brought into series production
• A brand with charisma: quality, design and engineering expertise shape its unmistakable identity
• Heritage as a driving force: icons, expertise, community and a culture of innovation are highly valued

Stuttgart. Since Carl Benz registered his patent for the motor car (Motorwagen) in 1886 and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage (Motorkutsche) shortly afterwards, the history of Mercedes-Benz has for 140 years known only one direction: forward. From Bertha Benz’s legendary pioneering journey to speed records, early milestones in autonomous driving, vision cars and high-tech drive systems: the brand repeatedly demonstrates its unwavering determination to win and how it is constantly rethinking the automobile.​

In 2026, this DNA is set to become particularly visible: the 140th anniversary year is defined by the biggest product launch programme in the brand’s history. It starts with the world premiere of the new S-Class on 29 January 2026. Over the next two years, Mercedes-Benz will launch more than 40 new models that blend tradition with innovation and set new standards across all segments. Every model embodies the brand’s promise: to build the world’s most desirable cars. Today’s Mercedes-Benz innovations carry heritage into the future – as a brand that understands progress programmatically, focuses on the needs of people and society, and continually redefines individual mobility.​​

Livestream to the world premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class:
www.mercedes-benz.com/en/vehicles/s-class-livestream/​​

“The love of inventing never ends.”Carl Benz, 1844 to 1929

“The best or nothing.”Gottlieb Daimler, 1834 to 1900

Two inventors, one goal – the automobile: on 29 January 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his motor car. Shortly afterwards, Gottlieb Daimler built his motor carriage. Together, the two vehicles formed the first link of an unbroken chain of innovation: Since then, Mercedes-Benz continues to reinvent the automobile.

Influencer with a hat pin: with courage and foresight, Bertha Benz embarked on the world’s first long-distance automobile journey in 1888. She drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim, demonstrating the potential of the automobile. Today, she would most likely be a mobility influencer. Bertha’s adventure also meant overcoming obstacles along the way. Some of them were tiny – yet with a major impact: she cleaned a blocked carburettor on the road with her hatpin.

Rethinking the automobile: Wilhelm Maybach designed the Mercedes 35 hp in 1900. The vehicle was so technically different from the structural principle of a horse-drawn carriage that it ushered in a new era. This was also reflected in its name: the 35 hp was the first Mercedes. Today, automobiles like the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX and CONCEPT AMG GT XX stand for the courage to embrace new concepts. The latest serial example: the new Mercedes-Benz CLA – the most intelligent and flexible Mercedes-Benz model of all time. The experts on the “European Car of the Year” jury voted it “Car of the Year 2026”.

Electric evolution: The success of current Mercedes-Benz vehicles with electric drive systems, such as the new fully electric GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ technology is based on a strong track record. In 1906 following successful trials with hybrid and electric drives, the Austrian Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft presented the Mercedes-Électrique with wheel hub motors. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, then Technical Director of the Austrian DMG, based on the Lohner-Porsche system. The development of electric vehicles at Mercedes-Benz gained momentum in the 1970s in particular, after the company had established its own research department for alternative drive systems. A large number of test vehicles with electric drives and different battery concepts, fuel cell technology and hybrid drives were developed here. Highlights include a field trial on the island of Rügen in the early 1990s with battery-electric saloons (W 201) and vans (MB 100), and, from 1994, the NECAR series (“New Electric Car”) with fuel cell technology. In the new millennium, the battery-electric SLS AMG E-Cell from 2010 was a milestone.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ technology | energy consumption combined: 18.9 – 14.9 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A[1]

Pushing electric boundaries: Development continues apace. In 2022, the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX set a new record with a long-distance drive of 1,202 kilometres from Stuttgart to Silverstone on a single battery charge. Key technologies from the VISION EQXX are being brought into series production in the new, fully electric Mercedes-Benz CLA. The current state of the art has been impressively demonstrated in August 2025 by the CONCEPT AMG GT XX with its record-breaking drives in Nardò and a Mercedes-Benz EQS with a solid-state battery and a range of 1,205 kilometres on a demonstration drive from Stuttgart to Malmö.

A trademark for 100 years: the iconic Mercedes star logo encircled by a laurel wreath is recognised worldwide. It stands for innovative strength and premium quality. The hallmark was created in 1926 when Benz & Cie. from Mannheim merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) from Stuttgart. The first joint product range premiered at the German Motor Show in Berlin at the end of 1926.

Performance with efficiency: since the 1920s, the supercharger has been extracting more power from the engines of Mercedes-Benz cars, making models like the S-series (W 06) world-famous from 1927 onwards. Throughout the brand’s long history of innovation, numerous vehicles have redefined drive technology – for performance and efficiency. A revolutionary drive concept with three axial-flow motors will make its series debut in 2026 in the new electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupé based on the AMG.EA high-performance architecture.

Chancellor comfort: In the early years of the Federal Republic of Germany, there is a Mercedes-Benz called the “Adenauer”. This is the colloquial name given to the Mercedes-Benz 300 (W 186), because Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer swears by it as his official car from 1951 onwards. The successor to this first Mercedes-Benz representational saloon car after the Second World War was the Type 600 “Grand Mercedes” (W 100). Today, S-Class representational vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach set benchmarks worldwide.

A dream car with racing technology: one of the brand’s icons is the 300 SL (W 198) from 1954 with its tubular space frame and the gullwing doors that were design-wise necessary as a result. It has proved so enduringly captivating that an international jury of experts named it the “Sports Car of the Century” in 1999. The highly desirable coupé is derived from the racing sports car of the same name, the W 194 from 1952. The 300 SL even serves as a model with its wheelbase: the axles of the racing car and the super sports car are exactly 2,400 millimetres apart. This gold standard was also followed by the 190 SL (W 121, 1955 to 1963), the “Pagoda” SL (W 113, 1963 to 1971) and the SLK (R 170, 1996 to 2004).

Crash safety: energy-absorbing crumple zones at the front and rear, with a rigid passenger cell in between define the safety body invented by Béla Barényi. This milestone in passive safety made its debut in 1959 in the “Fintail” saloons (W 111). In the same year, Mercedes-Benz began systematic crash testing. Safety is a core value of Mercedes-Benz. Active driver assistance systems such as the MB.DRIVE ASSIST can help prevent many accidents today.

Fly me to the moon: a Mercedes star even made it to the moon. In 1971, astronauts from Apollo 14 took it with them to Earth’s satellite. Today, it is part of the Mercedes-Benz Group Archive collection. The star is the most popular spare part for classic vehicles of the brand: Mercedes-Benz Classic Original Parts stocks more than 40 different versions and sells around 20,000 stars every year.

Safety – with kind regards: since 1978, the abbreviation ABS has stood for innovative active safety thanks to the Anti-lock Braking System. It made its debut in the S-Class. Mercedes-Benz continues to develop such systems and safety solutions that shape the entire industry. ESP® is another example, the Electronic Stability Programme from 1995. MB.DRIVE driver assistance technologies are now carrying this tradition into the future. With kind regards from Sindelfingen and Stuttgart.

Prestige in every class: the brand’s dream cars are available across all price segments. One example is the 124 series, produced from 1984 to 1997, available as saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet – supplemented by a saloon with long wheelbase and a chassis for special bodies. A total of around 2.7 million vehicles were built. Due to this immense number, 124 models are still a common sight on the roads today – as everyday vehicles or cherished young classics. Ninety years before the 124 series, the Benz Velo marked the beginning of large-scale production in automotive history. From 1894 onwards, 1,200 vehicles were produced – the first bestseller.

Automotive aesthetics: Mercedes-Benz design fascinates. The list of iconic vehicles is long. One example of the highest level of design excellence in this century is the 2004 CLS, a four-door coupé (C 219). Whether it’s the 500 K/540 K “Autobahnkurier” (W 29, 1930s), the 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198, 1954), the C 111 (1969), the G-Class (1979) or the S-Class of the 126 series (1979) – and many other vehicles since then – they demonstrate: perfect design shines eternally.

The DNA translated into architecture: the entire history of the brand can be experienced at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. It opened 20 years ago on 19 May 2006. With more than 14 million visitors since then, it is one of the most popular museums in the automotive world. And like the brand’s cars, it is a masterpiece: the architecture takes up the principle of the double helix, the form of human DNA – because the museum tells the fascinating story of the Mercedes-Benz DNA. And in doing so, projects it into the future.

The Silver Arrows are in the lead: in motorsport, excellence is directly demonstrated by the stopwatch. The prerequisites for victory are the best racing cars, the best drivers and the best teamwork. As in the premier class of motorsport: Formula 1. Mercedes-AMG has been competing here with a works team since 2010. Never before has a team won so many titles in such a short space of time: seven Drivers’ Championships and eight Constructors’ Championships since 2014. In 2026, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will compete for the three-pointed star in the new racing car Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E. Since the beginning of motorsport in 1894, Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands have repeatedly stood on the podium across a wide range of motorsport disciplines. The legendary Silver Arrows celebrated their premiere in 1934 and made a comeback in the 1950s – and have been going strong ever since 2010.

Autonomous into the future: automotive development is all about looking far ahead. Mercedes-Benz recognised the importance of autonomous driving as early as the 1980s and put its first research vehicles on the road. The S 500 Intelligent Drive marked an important breakthrough in 2013 when it followed in the footsteps of the historic Bertha Benz route. Today, autonomous driving at defined levels has long been a reality in series-production vehicles. The new Mercedes-Benz CLA will set new benchmarks with MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO – providing SAE Level 2 support even in urban traffic.

Perfection through endurance testing: new vehicles must prove themselves before they are delivered to customers as series models. Since 2015, Mercedes-Benz has been testing future models over millions of kilometres at the Immendingen Test and Technology Centre. Around 80 per cent of all test drives take place there. In 1928, the young Mercedes-Benz brand went to the then also young Nürburgring for testing, subjecting the new luxury model Type 460 (W 08) with an eight-cylinder engine to the highest levels of stress. For 13 days, it was driven relentlessly around the circuit, covering 20,000 kilometres in the end – and passing the endurance test. As a mark of distinction, the model was given the additional name “Nürburg”.

Fascinatingly valuable: a brand that has been building automobiles at the highest levels for as long as Mercedes-Benz has is sure to produce true superlatives from time to time. Among the most recent is the Mercedes-AMG ONE with Formula 1 technology, of which only 275 are produced from 2022 at a price of 3.3 million euros. Or, in 1997, the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR: the 25 vehicles built were available for just under 2.7 million German marks each. Mercedes-Benz won the FIA GT Championship with its racing version. Today, prices for this rarity have broken the ten million euro barrier.

Works of art on wheels: at international auctions, the most valuable works of art command prices of many millions of euros. Only one automobile is in this absolute top tier: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupé”. It is the most valuable automobile in the world. In 2022, it achieved an auction price of 135 million euros. The Mercedes-Benz Group used the proceeds to finance the beVisioneers Fellowship, which supports thousands of young people with knowledge, coaching and scholarships. The most valuable racing car ever sold at auction and, at more than 51 million euros, the second most valuable car in the world is also a Mercedes-Benz: the Silver Arrow W 196 R with streamlined body.

Record-braking achievements: Mercedes-Benz also repeatedly sets new benchmarks in record-breaking drives. Most recently, in August 2025, the electric CONCEPT AMG GT XX covered 5,479 kilometres in 24 hours on the Italian high-speed circuit in Nardò – a world record for vehicles with electric motors. Or in 2022, the Mercedes-AMG One with Formula 1 technology was the fastest production vehicle on the 20.8-kilometre Nürburgring Nordschleife. In 1938, Rudolf Caracciola set the absolute speed record for public roads at 432.7 km/h – a record that stood for an almost unbelievable 80 years.

Passion in action: today, there are 80 Mercedes-Benz brand clubs officially recognised by the company worldwide, with a total of 120,000 members. They are supported by Mercedes-Benz Classic Club Management. As early as 1952, enthusiasts of the brand in the United Kingdom founded the first official Mercedes-Benz Club. This was a starting signal for the community of fans and drivers of classic Mercedes-Benz cars.

Excellent network: The Mercedes-Benz Classic Partners ensure a long and safe life for a classic car, even many years after series production has ceased. The network of expertise for work of the highest standard currently comprises 80 companies in 13 countries. Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH continues to expand it. International engagement has a long tradition within the company: just two years after the invention of the automobile, Émile Roger took over the Benz agency in France in 1888. In the same year, the Daimler Motor Company was founded in the USA – initially for the licensed production of engines.