The first car in the ‘Mercedes’ series was a real breakthrough in automotive history and is presented here in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

Car Country Baden-Württemberg and the Automobile

22.4.2024

From Bike to Car Southwest Germany: Centre of Mobility

In the dynamic world of mobility, there are moments that make history and shape our way of life. One such milestone is the bicycle, whose roots go back to Mannheim. Here, in the heart of Baden-Württemberg, Karl von Drais invented the first wheeled vehicle, the tricycle, in 1817 - a revolutionary means of transport that fundamentally changed our idea of mobility.

But the innovative power of this region went even further. Baden-Württemberg is not only the home of the bicycle. Here, where tradition and innovation go hand in hand, the car with a combustion engine was born. The car is more than just a means of transport. It is an expression of individuality, a sign of independence and freedom. The automobile embodies the longing for adventure and the desire to discover new horizons.

Let's go on a fascinating journey together through the past and present of the automobile in Baden-Württemberg and discover what makes this extraordinary means of transport so irresistible.

The Most Important Facts: History of the Internal Combustion Engine Car

Baden-Württemberg, home to renowned brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Audi, has a long tradition in vehicle development. While the dream of automatic locomotion took shape early on in history, the concept of today's automobile has deep roots here in Southwest Germany. The unbroken passion and expertise for automotive engineering characterise the unique character and quality of vehicles that conquer the world from here. To understand the origins of this fascinating development, we take you on the trail of the visionary who laid the foundation stone: Carl Benz.

A series of old car models on display in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

A deep insight into the legends and innovations in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

From the Vision to the Car On the Trail of Carl Benz

Carl Benz: Pioneer of the Automobile

The First Car in the World

The Debut of the Automobile and the Courage of a Woman

The first car reached a top speed of around 16 km/h and was an impressive example of Benz's technical mastery. The inaugural trip for patent car number 1 was not only a technical milestone, but also a testimony to the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of the Benz family. It was Berta Benz, Carl Benz's wife, who undertook the first test drive in 1888. Her bold move to drive from Mannheim to Pforzheim was a demonstration of confidence in the reliability of the vehicle and a brilliant marketing strategy. With this impressive drive, she showed the world the practicality of the automobile and laid the foundation for the success of the Benz Patent Car. Berta Benz's initiative played a decisive role in revealing the potential of the automobile and changing public perception.

Cost and Design of the First Car

The first car cost 6,000 gold marks. 6,000 gold marks from 1886 equates to a purchasing power of around 150,000 to 200,000 euros today, based on inflation and the calculation of purchasing power over the years. This shows that Carl Benz's first car was not only a technological advance, but also a luxury item of its time and only intended for an exclusive market. Its design was revolutionary for the time, even if it had few safety features and comfort compared to today's cars. The Benz Patent Car laid the foundation for future vehicle developments.

From Three-Wheeler to Four-Wheeler

After the groundbreaking success of the three-wheeler model, Carl Benz recognised the potential for further development of the design. The concept of a four-wheeled vehicle offered more stability and comfort for passengers and represented a significant advance in automotive engineering. The integration of a fourth wheel required a redesign of the chassis, steering and drive systems, which required careful planning and engineering. The Benz Velo, introduced in 1894, was the first four-wheeled automobile from Benz and marked another milestone in the history of the automobile. With its improved stability and user-friendliness, the Benz Velo set new standards for the automotive industry and paved the way for the development of future generations of vehicles. The first five successor models were Benz Velo, Benz Victoria, Benz Spider, Benz Parsifal and Benz Ideal. Many of these historic vehicles can be admired in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

The Birth of the Name "Mercedes"

The name "Mercedes" has a special history. It was created by Emil Jellinek, a businessman and car enthusiast who worked closely with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. Jellinek named the model developed by Daimler in 1900 after his daughter Mercedes. This elegant and powerful name perfectly matched the luxurious and innovative character of the vehicle. The first car in the "Mercedes" series was the Mercedes 35 PS. This model was unveiled at the Nice Salon in 1901 and was a real breakthrough in automotive history. With its powerful engine and elegant design, the Mercedes 35 PS set new standards for speed, comfort and style.

Company Biography: The Mercedes-Benz Group and its Predecessor Companies

The roots of the Mercedes-Benz Group go back deep into the history of the automotive industry and are closely linked to the two oldest car manufacturers in the world.

Benz & Cie.: the Beginnings in Mannheim
Benz & Cie. was founded in 1883 by Carl Benz in Mannheim, Baden. This company laid the foundations for the modern automotive industry with the development of the first practical automobile, the Patent Car No. 1. Carl Benz's visionary thinking and inventive spirit characterised the company and paved the way for numerous innovations.

Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft: Pioneering Work in Cannstatt
Gottlieb Daimler, who was actually born "Däumler", founded the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in Cannstatt, Württemberg, in 1890. At his side was his close companion Wilhelm Maybach, whom he appointed technical director of his factory. The collaboration between Daimler and Maybach led to ground-breaking technological developments and laid the foundations for modern engine technology.

Two Pioneers, One Story
Although Daimler and Benz never met in person, they shared a common vision and a pioneering spirit that shaped the automotive industry. Their companies developed independently of each other but always had points of contact.

Mercedes-Benz Group: Fusion and Progress
In 1926, Benz & Cie. merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft to form the Mercedes-Benz Group, which paved the way for a new era in the automotive industry. With a rich history of innovation and a heritage from two of the world's oldest car manufacturers, the Mercedes-Benz Group continues its tradition of shaping and moulding the future of mobility. Milestones include the introduction of the first production passenger car in 1901 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, the development of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" in 1954 and the continued leadership in technology and design in the 21st century.

Porsche A Sports Car Inspires the World

The origins of Porsche lie in the founding of the design office "Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH" in Stuttgart in 1931. Ferdinand Porsche, a visionary engineer, laid the foundations for a brand that was to stand for innovation, performance and unrivalled design. The Porsche family, in particular Ferdinand Porsche's son Ferry Porsche, played a decisive role in the development of the company and its brand identity. Their passion and commitment shaped the character of Porsche. The connection between Porsche and the Volkswagen plant is deeply rooted. Over the years, the two companies have developed a close partnership that is reflected in joint projects and co-operations. Porsche inspires with its unmistakable combination of performance, design and craftsmanship. Each model embodies the essence of sporty driving and stands for the pursuit of perfection. It is not just a brand, but a passion that inspires and delights generations of drivers. With its impressive history and legendary reputation, it is undoubtedly a story that fascinates car enthusiasts all over the world.

Various Porsche models on display in the Porsche Museum.

The Porsche exhibition is updated regularly.

The exhibits change as do special exhibitions with various themes.