Mercedes-Benz has brought the India leg of its global ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ transcontinental drive to the country, commemorating 140 years since Carl Benz patented the world’s first automobile in 1886. The initiative celebrates Mercedes-Benz’s legacy as the inventor of the automobile while highlighting its enduring commitment to innovation, engineering excellence and the future of mobility.
The India chapter of the journey will showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, iconic architectural landmarks, diverse landscapes and the long-standing relationship between Mercedes-Benz and its customers. The campaign will revolve around the flagship S-Class, symbolising luxury, technological leadership and timeless elegance.
As part of the global celebration, three Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedans—named Gottlieb, Carl and Bertha in honour of the brand’s pioneering founders—are undertaking an ambitious transcontinental expedition. Covering more than 60,000 kilometres across six continents, over 55 countries and 140 iconic destinations, the drive reflects the brand’s rich heritage and global presence.
Commenting on the initiative, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, said the India leg represents the country’s unique blend of tradition and technological progress, values that closely align with the legacy of the S-Class. He added that the global journey celebrates Mercedes-Benz’s pioneering spirit, technological milestones and the trust it has earned from customers worldwide over the past 140 years.
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 MercedesBenz’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.
For 140 years, Mercedes-Benz has driven automotive innovation, from creating the world’s first automobile in 1886 to developing today’s advanced luxury vehicles. The “140 Years. 140 Places.” journey celebrates this legacy while highlighting the brand’s continued focus on innovation and future mobility. The new S-Class serves as the flagship of the campaign, embodying Mercedes-Benz’s core values of luxury, comfort, safety, advanced technology and its signature “Welcome home” experience.
