From record-breaking road speeds in the 1930s to designing futuristic ambulances that are as fast as race cars, Mercedes has a legacy that spans far beyond the garage. Their cars can sense when you’re falling asleep, their keys practically double as mini-computers, and their logo’s three-pointed star? It’s a symbol of their early ambition to dominate transportation on land, sea, and air. Mercedes-Benz has always had one foot in the future and another in tradition, constantly blending innovation with a touch of rebellious spirit.
So, if you thought you knew Mercedes-Benz, get ready to enter a world of eccentric luxury, daring innovations, and hidden stories that prove there’s so much more to this brand than meets the eye!
1. Mercedes-Benz Was Built on the World’s First Car (and Some Daring Marketing)
- In 1886, Karl Benz created the world’s first gasoline-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen. But it was actually his wife, Bertha, who made the car famous. Without telling Karl, she took the car on a historic 120-mile road trip, becoming the world’s first-ever driver. Bertha even had to do roadside repairs, using her garter to insulate a wire and a hairpin to clear a clogged fuel line. Her “test drive” became a massive success, proving the car’s reliability and launching Mercedes-Benz into the history books.
2. Their Popemobile History Runs Deep—But They’re Not All Bulletproof
- Mercedes-Benz has been crafting custom Popemobiles for the Vatican since the 1930s, with models ranging from simple cars to the high-tech SUVs with bulletproof glass we see today. When Pope John Paul II was shot in 1981, the Popemobile’s design was modified for extra safety. But in recent years, Popes have been opting for open-air Popemobiles to connect better with the crowds, like the unarmored Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV that Pope Francis prefers.
3. Mercedes Paved the Way for Vehicle Safety with Crumple Zones
- Ever noticed how modern cars have parts that “crumple” in an accident to protect passengers? That’s thanks to Mercedes-Benz. In 1959, they developed and patented the first crumple zones, areas that absorb energy during a crash, keeping the interior safe. This was the first time an automaker engineered the car to protect passengers in an impact, marking a breakthrough in automotive safety.
4. They Created the World’s Most Expensive Car
- In 2022, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe set the world record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction, fetching an astounding $143 million. Only two Uhlenhaut Coupes exist, named after their designer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The car was essentially a road-legal version of a race car, designed for speeds that were unimaginable at the time. Even today, its rarity and beauty make it one of the most desirable cars in history.
5. The AMG Division Was a Garage Tuning Project
- Mercedes’ famed AMG division, known for souped-up high-performance models, wasn’t always part of Mercedes. In 1967, two ex-Mercedes engineers started AMG as a side project, tuning and modifying Mercedes engines to push them to the limits. Their cars gained such a cult following that Mercedes made AMG an official performance division in 1999. Now, AMG models represent the pinnacle of Mercedes performance, known for their horsepower, sound, and sleek design.
6. Mercedes was Experimenting with Self-Driving Cars in the 1980s
- Long before self-driving technology was a buzzword, Mercedes-Benz was testing it out. In the late 1980s, they started the EUREKA Prometheus Project to explore autonomous driving. Their prototypes could drive themselves along highways and even handle sharp turns. While it took decades for the technology to mature, this research put Mercedes at the forefront of the autonomous driving revolution we see today.
7. The Mercedes-Benz Logo Symbolizes Conquering All Three Dimensions
- Mercedes’ iconic three-pointed star logo isn’t just for looks—it represents their ambition to dominate transportation “on land, on water, and in the air.” Daimler, one of the brand’s founders, envisioned Mercedes engines in boats and planes as well as cars. While the brand is primarily known for cars today, their history includes engines for planes, boats, and even trains.
8. Their Modern “Smart” Keys Do More Than Start the Engine
- Today’s Mercedes-Benz keys are small, high-tech marvels. In addition to starting the car, some keys can control the windows, adjust the seats, and even set the climate control before you step in. With a unique encrypted code, the keys also provide an extra layer of security, making Mercedes keys as sophisticated as their cars.
9. They Built a Car as Strong as a Tank for the Shah of Iran
- In 1972, Mercedes customized an ultra-luxurious, heavily armored 600 Pullman model for the Shah of Iran, complete with bulletproof windows and reinforced steel that added over a ton to the car’s weight. Known for its resilience and luxurious features, this was the ultimate car for heads of state and celebrities who valued safety as much as style.
10. Mercedes-Benz Made the First Diesel Passenger Car
- Mercedes broke new ground in 1936 with the 260D, the world’s first diesel-powered passenger car. It may have been slower, but diesel engines offered greater fuel efficiency—a big deal during an era of gas shortages. Today, diesel remains an option, especially in Europe, but it all started with Mercedes’ innovation nearly a century ago.
11. The 300 SL “Gullwing” Coupe Was a Marvel of Engineering and Style
- The 1954 Mercedes 300 SL “Gullwing” coupe is famous for its distinctive doors that open upward like a bird’s wings. While this design was undeniably stylish, it was actually a solution to a structural issue: the tubular frame used to keep the car light and fast made regular doors impossible. Today, the 300 SL is one of the most iconic cars ever made, beloved by collectors for its beauty and performance.
12. Mercedes-Benz Has a Record-Breaking Ambulance
- Mercedes-Benz isn’t just about luxury cars. They’ve been a major name in emergency vehicles, too. In 2009, a modified Mercedes Sprinter was officially recorded as the world’s fastest ambulance, with a top speed of over 100 mph. Built for the Dubai government, it was fully stocked with high-tech medical equipment, combining speed with life-saving capability.
13. Mercedes-Benz Produced Some Seriously Cool Trains
- Believe it or not, Mercedes-Benz has also built trains! The most famous was the “Blitzen-Benz,” a futuristic train built in the 1930s with a streamlined design that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie. With a maximum speed of 140 km/h (about 87 mph), it set new standards for train speed and design.
14. Their Cars Can Tell When You’re Tired
- Mercedes takes safety to the next level with its Attention Assist feature, designed to detect when drivers are getting drowsy. The system monitors over 70 parameters, from steering behavior to how often you blink, alerting you with a coffee cup symbol on the dashboard if it senses you need a break.
15. A Mercedes-Benz Was the First Car to Hit 200 mph
- In 1938, a modified Mercedes-Benz W125 hit 268.8 mph (432.7 km/h) on a German autobahn, making it the first car to officially break the 200-mph barrier. It held the record for the fastest speed on a public road until 2017, an astonishing testament to Mercedes’ early engineering prowess.
Mercedes-Benz isn’t just a car company; it’s a brand that’s constantly evolving, creating not only luxury vehicles but also setting safety, performance, and technology standards that shape the automotive world. Each car they create is more than a vehicle; it’s a piece of history with a legacy of innovation, ambition, and luxury.
