- Outlook: Upcoming events with Mercedes-Benz Classic
- 1951: Béla Barényi’s pioneering patent for the safety bodywork
- 1886: The birth of the automobile – Benz and Daimler revolutionise mobility.
- 1986: Presentation of the assistance systems ASD, ASR and 4MATIC in ice and snow
- 1976: World record of the C 111-II D with five-cylinder diesel engine in Nardò
- 1951: Passenger car innovations at the IAA with re-engineered six-cylinder engines
- Birthdays: Rudolf Caracciola and Wilhelm Maybach
Mercedes-Benz keeps on re-inventing the automobile as a brand driven by innovation. Since 1886, the company has continued to set the standards and support societal change. Classic Notes showcase selected highlights from 140 years of innovation history, product history and company history.
Outlook
Upcoming events with Mercedes-Benz Classic
- Salon Rétromobile: 28 January to 1 February 2026 Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Mercedes-Benz Classic will be dedicating its presentation at France’s leading classic car trade show to the 1000 Miglia.
- Retro Classics: 19 to 22 February 2026, Messe Stuttgart. This trade fair for driving culture is one of the biggest classic car trade fairs in Europe. This year, one key focus will be the anniversary “50 years of the Mercedes-Benz 123 model series”.
- ModaMiami: 28 February to 1 March 2026, The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida. This fascinating new event brings together design, innovation and culture. More than 400 outstanding automobiles can be experienced in an exclusive setting.
January 1951 – 75 years ago
Milestone in passive safety: Barényi patent for the safety bodywork
- A patent is filed for Béla Barényi’s safety bodywork on 23 January 1951
- Series premiere in 1959 in the “Fintail” saloons of the W 111
- The visionary principle with crumple zones and a rigid passenger cell sets an industry standard
Defined deformable crumple zones at the front and rear for absorbing kinetic energy in case of a collision, with a rigid passenger cell in between for the protection of the occupants: this revolutionary design principle celebrates its world premiere in 1959 in the Mercedes-Benz “Fintail” saloons of the 111 model series. Practically all car manufacturers subsequently adopt this principle. On 23 January 1951, a patent is filed for this visionary bodywork concept, which was developed by Mercedes-Benz engineer Béla Barényi (1907 to 1997). A pioneer of passive safety, Barényi consistently breaks with the previously prevailing approach of making the entire body as rigid as possible to protect occupants in a crash. Instead, he divides the body into zones with different functions: the front and rear crumple zones serve to absorb and dissipate as much impact energy as possible by means of controlled deformation, while the particularly rigidly designed safety passenger cell in the centre of the vehicle provides passengers with a stable and safe interior. Barényi patent No. 854 157, “Motor vehicle, particularly for the conveyance of persons”, is granted on 30 October 1952. It constitutes a cornerstone of passive automotive safety and not only shapes the development of the Mercedes-Benz W 111, but also significantly influences the start of systematic crash testing at what was then Daimler-Benz AG from 1959 onwards.
29 January 1886 – 140 years ago
Invention of the automobile by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler
- Carl Benz invents the automobile – Gottlieb Daimler’s motorised carriage follows that same year
- The pursuit of innovation for progress and mobility is deeply embedded in Mercedes-Benz DNA
- Innovations shape Mercedes-Benz automobiles, as well as society and mobility culture
On 29 January 1886, Carl Benz filed for a patent for his three-wheeled motor car. Patent DRP 37435 for the “vehicle with gas engine operation” is considered to be the birth certificate of the automobile and today is part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. It marks the beginning of modern individual mobility. Carl’s wife Bertha supports her husband from the very beginning; in 1888 she embarks on the world’s first long-distance journey in an automobile. Almost simultaneously, in that same year, Gottlieb Daimler installs the high-speed internal combustion engine, which he developed together with Wilhelm Maybach, in a carriage, creating the first four-wheeled automobile. The spirit of innovation shaped by the two founding fathers has been deeply embedded in the DNA of Mercedes-Benz ever since. It defines the company’s and brand’s mindset with regard to new products: with pioneering spirit and the utmost in engineering excellence, Mercedes-Benz continuously shapes progress and mobility. New solutions are always developed with the aim of opening up extended opportunities in terms of comfort, safety, efficiency, performance and sportiness. Mercedes-Benz innovations shape not only the brand’s own products, but also the entire automotive industry as well as society and mobility culture.
February 1986 – 40 years ago
ASR, ASD and 4MATIC: Presentation under harsh real-world conditions in Finland
- Further development of active vehicle safety on the basis of ABS sensor technology
- Testing of new assistance systems by journalists from 3 to 8 February 1986
- Mercedes-Benz presents ASR, ASD and 4MATIC assistance systems under real-world conditions
Snow, ice and below-zero temperatures provide for perfect conditions as Mercedes-Benz presents its new assistance systems in Finland from 3 to 8 February 1986. Invited journalists are able to try out the automatic locking differential (ASD), acceleration skid control (ASR) and the automatically activated 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The basis for these innovative assistance systems is the digital anti-lock braking system (ABS), available since 1978 and developed jointly by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch. The new traction systems now also make use of its sensor signals. ASD, ASR and 4MATIC are already shown at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in autumn 1985; this is followed by a presentation in Finland under harsh real-world conditions. Here’s how the new systems work: the automatic locking differential ASD limits compensating movement in the rear axle differential when a drive wheel spins, ensuring noticeably improved traction when the driver pulls away and accelerates on slippery surfaces. Acceleration skid control ASR combines brake intervention at the spinning wheel with a reduction in engine torque via the electronic accelerator pedal. Thus, propulsion also remains easy to control in powerful eight-cylinder saloons; the vehicle accelerates in a stable and controlled manner even on ice. The newly developed 4MATIC all-wheel drive operates on the rear axle alone under normal conditions; if traction is lost, the electronics progressively engage the front axle drive and activate additional locking functions.
June 1976 – 50 years ago
World record drive of the C 111-II D in Nardò
- From fascinating experimental vehicle to efficient world-record car
- Mercedes-Benz sets three world records with the C 111-II D in Nardò from 12 to 15 June 1976
- Highlight: World record over 10,000 miles at an average speed of 251.798 km/h
A five-cylinder diesel engine delivers a triple world record: 50 years ago, in June 1976, Mercedes-Benz achieves this milestone in its more than 140 years of motorsport history with the C 111-II D on the high-speed circuit in Nardò, Italy. After 64 hours, the Stuttgart record drivers set three world records and 16 class records for diesel vehicles with up to 3 litres of displacement, covering distances from 10 kilometres to 10,000 miles with driving times ranging from one to 24 hours. They reach average speeds exceeding 250 km/h. The record vehicle is based on the futuristic experimental C 111-II with a Wankel engine from the year 1970. Instead of a four-rotor Wankel engine, an optimised version of the 3-litre five-cylinder diesel engine OM 617 LA with exhaust turbocharger and intercooler is used for the record drive from 12 to 15 June 1976. In Mercedes-Benz passenger car series production during the 1970s, the OM 617 is used as a naturally aspirated engine, e.g. in the 240 D 3.0 (W 115) and 300 D (W 123), as well as in the export model 300 D Turbodiesel (W 123) with exhaust turbocharger. In the record vehicle, the powerful (140 kW/190 hp) and solid aggregate proves itself in continuous operation under the most demanding conditions. The experimental vehicle is also extensively refined in terms of aerodynamics for the record drive. Continuing in the tradition of this legendary success 50 years ago, the record drive of technology demonstrator Mercedes-Benz Concept AMG GT XX with axial-flux motors also happens in Nardò in August 2025: it sets a total of 25 records in 7.5 days at 300 km/h.
April 1951 – 75 years ago
A firework of new products from Mercedes-Benz at the first IAA after the end of the war
- New Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder engines in an executive-class saloon and prestige vehicle
- 19 to 29 April 1951: IAA premiere in Frankfurt am Main
- Mercedes-Benz presents numerous innovations from passenger cars to coaches
At the first International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main, Mercedes-Benz delights both the general public and industry experts in April 1951 with the new passenger car types 220 (W 187) and 300 (W 186). They impress with their spaciousness, comfort and prestige. Further distinguishing features of the executive-class saloon and prestige vehicle are their new six-cylinder engines. The 2.2-litre straight-six M 180 engine with overhead camshaft makes the Mercedes-Benz 220 the benchmark in its class in terms of performance and smoothness. The larger and more powerful M 186 in the later flagship model, known as the “Adenauer Mercedes”, makes this the fastest production passenger car in Germany at the time. Both automobiles reflect the spirit of optimism of the era, with the beginning of the economic miracle on the horizon. The new engine developments replace two pre-war designs: the four-cylinder M 136 and the six-cylinder M 159. With 59 kW (80 hp) at 5,300 rpm, the M 180 with overhead camshaft delivers performance figures more commonly associated with sports cars of those times. The 85 kW (115 hp) M 186 of the 300 type is structurally based to the M 159, but embarks on courses which are technically yet consistently new. Test reports praise the engine’s eagerness to rev and refined running characteristics. With both engines, in the year 1951, Mercedes-Benz lays the foundation for many subsequent successful six-cylinder power units, including the engine of the sports car icon 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198).
Birthdays
- 125 years ago – Rudolf Caracciola is born on 30 January 1901 in Remagen on the Rhine. As a Mercedes-Benz works driver, he shapes the era of S-Series racing touring cars and the first Silver Arrow era from 1934 to 1939. He becomes a three-time European Grand Prix Champion – comparable to today’s Formula One World Champion title. His world speed record of 432.69 km/h, set on the motorway in 1938, remains unbeaten for 79 years. Rudolf Caracciola in M@RS
- 180 years ago – Wilhelm Maybach is born on 9 February 1846 in Heilbronn. After the early passing of his parents, he grows up at the Bruderhaus in Reutlingen, where he meets Gottlieb Daimler in 1864 and becomes his development partner of many years’ standing. From 1882 onwards, the two develop the high-speed internal combustion engine and integrate it in the Reitwagen in 1885 and in the motorised carriage in 1886. Maybach’s innovations enable the triumph of the automobile; one milestone is the design of the Mercedes 35 hp in 1900, the first modern automobile. Wilhelm Maybach in M@RS
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