Mercedes-Benz, today announced the India leg of the much-awaited transcontinental drive involving three Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury limousines
travelling across the world. The unique “140 Years. 140 Places.” drive celebrates 140 years of innovation, since
Carl Benz filed the patent for the first ever automobile in 1886 in Germany. The anniversary year celebrates
Mercedes-Benz as the inventor of the automobile, its enduring legacy and future ambition to create the world’s
most desirable cars and shape the future of mobility.
As part of the global initiative, three new S-Class named Gotlieb, Carl and Bertha are currently undertaking an
epic trans-continental journey covering more than 60,000 kilometres across six continents and more than 55
countries, visiting symbolic 140 locations worldwide. The iconic world tour highlights Mercedes-Benz’s culture
shaping influence for millions of customers across continents, with its rich accomplishments in technology,
unmatched heritage, pioneering spirit and a strong worldwide presence, earning customer trust and loyalty.
In India, the “140 Years. 140 Places” journey will trace stories of people, culture, craftsmanship and aspiration that define India. The journey will progress across some of the country’s most remarkable destinations, with the S-Class serving as the brand’s flagship ambassador of ‘innovation and progress” on four wheels.
“140 Years. 140 Places.” India journey will celebrate the diverse places, people, myriad experiences and novel ideas that shape the world around us, documenting through key engagements across the route the landscapes, traditions and innovations that make each destination unique. To that end, the three S-Class’ will travel along two routes, each named after a Mercedes-Benz pioneer – Gotlieb, Carl and Bertha, together tracing the breadth of the country’s landscapes, heritage and craftsmanship.
Gotlieb will follow India’s northern frontier, beginning in New Delhi. This city brings together heritage, modernity, and India’s evolving luxury landscape, then moves to historic Amritsar and onward through Jammu, into the dramatic landscapes of Kashmir and the high-altitude expanse of Ladakh. A defining chapter of this route will take the S-Class across some of the world’s most spectacular mountain roads of the mighty Himalayas, including Umling La, the highest motorable pass on earth, and the demanding passes around Manali, underlining the comfort, refinement and engineering capability that have made the S-Class a benchmark in luxury motoring across generations.
The drive will then descend to the cultural heartland of Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna, destinations known for craftsmanship, spirituality, artistry and enduring tradition, before crossing into Bhutan, the journey’s sole international leg, tracing the serene landscapes of the Himalayan kingdom before returning to Delhi for its conclusion.
Carl and Bertha, on the other hand, will travel west and southward, setting off together from New Delhi through Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad; destinations defined by architectural wonders, alluring royalty, refined craftsmanship and enduring artistry, before reaching Pune, a bustling industrial hub, and home to Mercedes-Benz’s manufacturing facility in India. From Pune, the two S-Class will chart individual paths, one through the cosmopolitan energy of Mumbai, while the second car will set out to capture the storied landscapes and grandiose of iconic Hampi, before reuniting again in Bengaluru, at the heart of Mercedes-Benz’s tech innovations and research and development centre in India. This iconic journey will then continue westward to cover Goa and conclude in Mumbai; on the way, capturing the stunning western coast of India, weaving vibrant stories of the subcontinent’s topographical magic, magnificent landscape, cultural heritage and the relentless progress that continues to shape India.
“140 Years. 140 Places.” – the new S-Class in Paris, in front of the Eiffel Tower
For 140 years, Mercedes-Benz has continually redefined mobility through pioneering inventions, engineering leadership, human-centric design and seamless technology. From the world’s first automobile in 1886 to today’s intelligent, safe and highly desirable luxury vehicles, the brand’s pursuit of progress remains as relevant as ever.
The “140 Years. 140 Places.” journey reflects this legacy and brings Mercedes-Benz’s heritage to life for customers, fans and communities around the world. It also arrives during one of the most ambitious product programmes in the brand’s history, underlining how Mercedes-Benz continues to carry its pioneering spirit from history into the future.
The new S-Class serves as the flagship expression of this journey. It represents the Mercedes-Benz promise of innovation, comfort, safety, luxury and effortless technology, while embodying the brand’s unmistakable feeling of “Welcome home”
Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gotlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes-Benz has dedicated itself to constantly innovate and to create the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world’s first automobile in 1886 to today’s intelligent and safe electric vehicles, like the all-new GLC and the award-winning all-new CLA. With the new S-Class, the company continues the biggest product launch programme in its history. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that leads through everything Mercedes-Benz does: Welcome home.
Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S-Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way customers, fans and colleagues will get to join in the celebrations – on an epic adventure that will run until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” drive across six continents on our “140 years of innovation | Mercedes-Benz Media” special and via the Mercedes-Benz Community.
