THE BADGE THAT BUILT AN INDUSTRY THE THREE POINTED BADGE
It stands for more than a century of tradition, a dedication to excellence, and a vow to always shine even more brilliantly than before.
Innovation
Perfomance
4matic
Safety
Design
Luxury
Innovation
1886 - The First Automobile is Built
It began with the Motorwagen. Carl Benz was awarded German patent #37435 for a three-wheeled, self-propelled vehicle with a rear-mounted single-cylinder engine. In that instant, the world became smaller, and it set the course for our legacy of innovation that continues to this day.
1888- The Driver Who Paved Way
While Carl Benz was unsure if his invention was ready for the road, his wife Bertha Benz had a different idea. Without his knowledge, she took her sons on the first long-distance drive from Manheim to Pforzheim, Germany. Along the way, she cleaned the carburetor and made various repairs and improvements. Her bold spirit and courage began a revolution that would change the world forever.
1990 - The Honeycomb Radiator
Developed for the Mercedes 35hp, the honeycomb radiator uses its unique texture to efficiently cool the engine, and is remarkably similar to what’s used today.
1906 - The Electric Powered Car
Several Mercedes passenger cars, trucks, buses and fire service vehicles became available with battery-electric propulsion, an early ancestor of today’s hybrid drive.
1921 - Supercharged Engine
A compressor driven by the engine noticeably increases the power of several Mercedes models by pressurizing the fuel-air mixture.
1931 - 4 Wheel independent suspension
The first-ever fully independent suspension allowed each wheel to respond individually and paved the way for future handling innovations.
1949 - The Canonical Pin Door Lock
Designed to help the doors prevent from opening in an accident, this patented, extremely strong door latch was the first of its kind.
1951- The Crumple Zone
Invented by legendary Mercedes-Benz Group engineer Béla Barényi, the crumple zone utilizes a rigid passenger cell surrounded by defined deformation zones, and it’s used universally to this day.
1958 - Th Crash Test Program
For the first time, development of every new vehicle would include a rigorous regimen of crash testing to make Mercedes vehicles the safest on the road.
1973 - The Offset Front Crash Test
An evolution of the original crash test program, the “partial overlap” barrier crash is a more accurate simulation of real-world collisions
1982 - The Multilink Suspension System
Debuting on the compact 190-Class, this breakthrough 5-arm rear suspension provided new levels of handling, precision and safety.
1985 - The 4Matic All wheel drive
The AWD E-Class debuts with two electronic traction systems for rear-wheel drive cars: the automatic differential lock (ASD) and automatic skid control (ASR).
1991 -CFC Control
Long before other automakers, Mercedes-Benz removed these harmful chemicals from their air conditioning systems and manufacturing process.
1995 - Electronic Stability Program
Perhaps the most important breakthrough since the airbag, ESP helps maintain control during corners and evasive maneuvers, and it’s now required by law on every car.
1997 - The Smartkey
An achievement in convenience and anti-theft technology, the compact SmartKey uses an electronic code to start the car rather than a mechanical lock.
2000- The Telematics
Beginning in 2000, Mercedes-Benz vehicles began to communicate with the outside world – through computers and later phones – bringing customers a new level of connection, and leading the way for internet connectivity within the vehicle’s cabin.
2002- The Presafe
A groundbreaking system, PRE-SAFE detects an accident before it happens, snugging the seat belts, adjusting the head restraints and more to optimize protection during a crash.
2010 - Attention Assist
After measuring over 70 parameters in the first few minutes of a drive, Attention Assist can detect signs of drowsiness and audibly alert the driver to take a break.
2016 - Car to X
Pioneered in the 2017 E-Class, Car-to-X Communication shares critical information with other vehicles to warn of potential danger, such as slippery roads or broken-down vehicles.
Perfomance
4matic
From winter storms to tight corners, 4MATIC all-wheel drive maximizes traction by engaging all four wheels, so you can always put your best foot forward.
Greater control. Gripping results.
Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive is fully integrated into your vehicle, so it reacts instantly and adjusts to any scenario.
01-Variable All Wheel Drive
Available on certain vehicles, variable all-wheel drive can automatically change from pure front-wheel drive (for steady highway driving) to a 50:50 front-rear split for harsher conditions. This adaptability allows for increased fuel efficiency while keeping you safe in moments of need.
02 – 4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Unlike its variable counterpart, permanent all-wheel drive is always in action with a fixed torque split, so power is always applied to all four wheels. This creates a noticeable improvement in the vehicle’s handling, safety and overall ride comfort.
4-ETS: Turning slip into grip.
Pioneered by Mercedes-Benz, the 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4-ETS) is built to detect the onset of wheelspin. It then rapidly pulses the brake at the slipping wheel, sending torque and power back to the gripping wheel to get you out of mud, sand or gravel.
Safety
Luxury through peace of mind.
To deliver the best or nothing, safety must come first. It’s why we devote so much time to a moment we hope never happens, and why every Mercedes-Benz is engineered to make an accident less severe, less damaging, and even less likely.
Protecting what matters most.
An accident occurs. Various crumple zones keep the cabin isolated, while an advanced airbag system offers protection to the head, knees and more. Side impact airbags deploy in the rear, and even the seatbelts themselves are reinforced with airbags to distribute force and protect the ribcage.
Protecting drivers and passengers has always been our priority, and with every innovation, that legacy continues.
Preventing accidents before they happen.
To this day, breakthroughs continue in the world of safety. Here are some of the most advanced safety features in the Mercedes‑Benz lineup
PRE-SAFE®
Our patented PRE-SAFE system anticipates a collision using a network of sensors. Seatbelts tighten, headrests adjust, and windows close all in a matter of seconds. Newer vehicles even emit pink noise, triggering the inner ear to protect your hearing from the pressure of impact.
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC®
Safe driving means keeping a proper distance. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC® keeps a selectable set of car lengths between you and the vehicle ahead. As traffic slows or stops, so does your Mercedes-Benz, acting as a second set of hands.
ATTENTION ASSIST®
Even in a Mercedes-Benz, long drives can result in fatigue. ATTENTION ASSIST monitors your interaction with the vehicle controls and detects steering corrections that suggest drowsiness. If it senses driver fatigue, it triggers an alert that encourages you to stop for a rest.
Accident Investigation
Just a few pieces of data can mean the difference between a collision and close call. That’s why we created the Mercedes-Benz Accident Investigation team, a special unit in Stuttgart, Germany dedicated to gathering and evaluating information that has the potential to save lives across the world.
From impact speed to collision angles, the data collected at the scene informs our ongoing improvement of safety features, and has led to the development of groundbreaking technology like ATTENTION ASSIST and DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE® Brake.
Lighting Technology
For seeing what lies ahead, in the clearest way possible.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses a dedicated camera to scan the road ahead for the lights of other vehicles. Based on their position, it varies the headlamps to maximize illumination without causing glare for other drivers.
Night View Assist PLUS
Using infrared beams and a special camera, Night View Assist PLUS displays a real-time view of the dark road ahead. It can point out and shine the headlamps toward pedestrians it detects. And unlike thermal systems, it can sense cold objects, too.
LED Intelligent Light System
Numerous light-emitting diodes (LEDs) per headlamp generate an output that’s the closest yet to how humans perceive natural daylight. The direction and distance of the beam shifts based on your steering, speed and surrounding traffic.
Design
Design that moves you.
You know it when you see it. The elegant curves, the precise attention to detail. It captures the eye and calls for your touch. The beauty of Mercedes-Benz is in the design.
DESIGN PROCESS
It starts with a sketch.
Lots of sketches to be precise. A team led by Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener develops the initial look of the vehicle based on its desired functionality, exploring the shape and style before deciding on the best of the best.
It’s molded in clay.
While 3-D computing has its advantages, clay models allow the design team to see the form of the vehicle at scale and adjust on the fly. Every detail is sculpted from the windows to the door handles to the creases in the hood. This allows designers to see every detail in a variety of lighting.
It’s developed by specialists.
Once the shape of the vehicle is complete, experts in different categories are brought in – exterior, interior, technology and more. These team members have mastered their field and they lend that knowledge to the process, resulting in the most perfect version of the vehicle.
Luxury
Luxury as we know it.
What is Modern Luxury? Is it timeless beauty? Quiet confidence? An adherence to the highest of standards? At Mercedes-Benz, it’s our core philosophy, one that inspires our products and drives our passion.
MATERIALS
You can feel it on your fingertips.
Every Mercedes-Benz design incorporates a wide range of materials. From steel and carbon fiber to supple Nappa leather, creating a diverse palette of materials is what makes our vehicles so inviting.
1. Cool vs Warm
Too much of either, and it becomes one-dimensional. But when balanced properly – like when a walnut trim meets a chrome accent – the result is pure elegance.
2. A Commitment to Quality
Whether it’s the Nappa leather hides that are sourced from South Germany or the rare, sustainably sourced woods that are hand-selected, every detail contributes to the atmosphere of luxury.
3. Natural Attraction
Materials are meant to be touched. It’s what draws you to run your hand across the hood, to grip the leather wheel, and to press your foot on the stainless steel pedal with rubber studs.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Credibility through craftsmanship.
At the Modern Luxury workshop in Sindelfingen, Germany, over 250 artisans transform the desires of our customers into exquisitely unique versions of our standard-production vehicles. Their expert hands and exacting eyes ensure that only the finest hides are made into seats, that each layer of paint brings out more character, and that wood trim is hand-finished to achieve an exquisitely deep gloss.
INDIVIDUALITY
For a vehicle that’s expressly unique.
Just as every driver is unique, so too is their vehicle. That’s why the Mercedes-Benz lineup consists of over 85 models, each with a distinct personality to match your needs and desires as closely as possible. It’s also why we offer a multitude of options and customizations from Mercedes-AMG and MANUFAKTUR, because specialization is a key to luxury.
TECHNOLOGY
Nod to the old. Embrace the new.
Nothing has changed the face of luxury more than technology. At Mercedes-Benz, we look to harness its power and refine its appearance for an elegant experience that makes life more efficient.
Connected Services
Mercedes me allows our drivers to connect to their car from wherever they are.
Analog and Digital
The juxtaposition of both – on the dashboard and console – creates a timeless aesthetic.
MBUX
The interface design is more pleasant to the eye and makes it easier to take action.