Mercedes-Benz has concluded its ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ global tour, organised to commemorate 140 years since Carl Benz filed the patent for his Motorwagen in 1886. Three S-Class sedans returned to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on October 17, after covering more than 65,000km across 55 countries and six continents over nearly nine months. Approximately 20,000 guests attended the homecoming event, which also featured the global debut of the new Mercedes-AMG GT SUV.
Mercedes-Benz 140 Years, 140 Places: All you need to know
Tour marks 140 years since Carl Benz’s Patent-Motorwagen
The expedition began in Stuttgart on January 29, 2026, with three S-Class sedans named Bertha, Carl and Gottlieb. The tour visited more than 140 locations across six continents, crossing 67 national borders and 13 climate zones.
The route covered cities including New York, Tokyo, Mumbai, Nairobi and Sao Paulo. The cars returned to Stuttgart in a convoy of 140 historic and current vehicles, including a replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, a Ponton 220 S, the C 111 experimental vehicle, and the electric G-Class and C-Class.
Mercedes-Benz says tour tested S-Class under challenging conditions
Mercedes-Benz said the expedition provided insights into the S-Class under real-world conditions beyond those covered by its regular development testing in extreme temperatures and simulation chambers.
During the India leg, the cars travelled to Umling La, at approximately 5,800 metres above sea level, and encountered monsoon conditions and flooded roads. In Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, the route included unpaved and uneven surfaces. Mercedes-Benz said the journey also exposed the cars to temperatures varying by more than 50deg C across desert and tropical climates.
Autocar India participated in the India Leg
We also participated in the India leg of the expedition, driving the pre-production S-Class sedans through Udaipur and Ahmedabad. The drive provided an opportunity to experience the updated luxury sedan’s performance, ride comfort and technology.
Anniversary activities continue through December
Mercedes-Benz will continue its ‘140 Years of Innovation’ anniversary programme through the end of 2026. Mercedes-Benz plans further studios in international cities following launches in Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Sydney and Delhi.
In December, the company will convert the approximately 145-metre-long glass facade of its dealership at Donnersbergerbrucke in Munich into an oversized Advent calendar. Mercedes-Benz is also planning a coffee-table book documenting the expedition, its stops, and its encounters along the route.
