Mercedes-Benz India has announced the India leg of its much-awaited transcontinental drive — ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ — marking 140 years since Carl Benz filed the patent for the world’s first automobile in Germany in 1886. Three S-Class luxury limousines, named Gotlieb, Carl, and Bertha, are currently undertaking an epic journey covering more than 60,000 kilometres across six continents, more than 55 countries, and 140 symbolic locations worldwide.
The global initiative celebrates Mercedes-Benz as the inventor of the automobile, honouring its enduring legacy, pioneering spirit, and future ambition to shape the world of mobility.
The India Journey
In India, the ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ drive will trace stories of people, culture, craftsmanship, and aspiration that define the country. The three S-Class cars will travel along two distinct routes — each named after a Mercedes-Benz pioneer — together covering the breadth of India’s landscapes, heritage, and traditions.
Route One — Gotlieb: The Northern Frontier
Gotlieb will begin its journey in New Delhi, a city that brings together heritage, modernity, and India’s evolving luxury landscape. From there, it moves to historic Amritsar and onwards through Jammu into the dramatic landscapes of Kashmir and the high-altitude expanse of Ladakh.
A defining chapter of this route will see the S-Class traverse some of the world’s most spectacular mountain roads, including Umling La — the highest motorable pass on earth — and the demanding passes around Manali, underscoring the comfort, refinement, and engineering capability that have made the S-Class a benchmark in luxury motoring across generations.
The journey will then descend to the cultural heartland of Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna — destinations renowned for craftsmanship, spirituality, 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.
Route Two — Carl and Bertha: West and South
Carl and Bertha will set off together from New Delhi, travelling through Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad — destinations defined by architectural wonders, royal heritage, and refined craftsmanship — before reaching Pune, home to Mercedes-Benz’s manufacturing facility in India.
From Pune, the two cars will chart individual paths. One will travel through the cosmopolitan energy of Mumbai, while the other will journey through the storied landscapes of iconic Hampi, before the two reunite in Bengaluru — the heart of Mercedes-Benz’s technology and R&D operations in India. The journey will then continue westward through Goa, concluding in Mumbai, weaving together the stunning western coastline, cultural heritage, and the spirit of progress that continues to shape India.
Mr. Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz’s much awaited ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ world tour is coming to India, celebrating the Three-Pointed Star’s 140 years global legacy of innovation and progress. In India, this world tour aims at capturing the rich cultural tapestry, awe-inspiring architecture, the unique geographical diversities and the unmatched energy and spirit of our customers, who define Mercedes-Benz’s legacy. India is the famed land of tradition and cultural heritage, as much it is for technological innovation and rapid progress — qualities that strongly resemble S-Class’ own distinguished journey over the decades. We are proud to host ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ global journey in India, narrated through our flagship S-Class.”
140 Years of Innovation
For 140 years, Mercedes-Benz has continually redefined mobility through pioneering inventions, engineering leadership, human-centric design, and seamless technology integration. 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 new S-Class serves as the flagship expression of this journey — embodying the Mercedes-Benz promise of innovation, comfort, safety, luxury, and effortless technology, and the brand’s signature feeling of “Welcome home.”
The ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ drive 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 the past into the future.
