Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that India will host the next stage of its global ‘140 Years’. 140 Places’ expedition, a worldwide campaign marking 140 years since the invention of the automobile. As part of the initiative, three new Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans are travelling across six continents and 140 destinations. During the India leg, the luxury flagship will drive through several historic, cultural and geographically significant locations across the country.
The campaign commemorates the 140th anniversary of Carl Benz receiving the patent for the world’s first automobile in 1886. Through the journey, Mercedes-Benz aims to highlight its engineering legacy while showcasing the people, traditions and landscapes that have shaped mobility over the decades.India leg to begin in JulyThe India drive will start in July and take the S-Class through a wide range of destinations representing the country’s heritage, architecture, craftsmanship, urban development and natural diversity. Before reaching India, the three participating S-Class sedans had already travelled more than 60,000km through over 55 countries across six continents. Named Gotlieb, Carl and Bertha, the vehicles honour the pioneers associated with the origins of Mercedes-Benz.According to the company, India’s combination of cultural heritage, technological growth and diverse terrain makes it a key destination in the global programme and reflects the evolution of the S-Class over the years. The India journey has been planned across two separate routes to cover different regions of the country.
The first route, undertaken by Gotlieb, will begin in New Delhi before continuing to Amritsar, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. This section includes some of the world’s highest mountain roads, including Umling La, along with the high-altitude passes near Manali. The route will then descend into the Gangetic plains. From there, the S-Class will travel through Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna, highlighting cities known for their history, craftsmanship and spiritual significance. The route also includes a short visit to Bhutan, the only international section of the India itinerary, before returning to Delhi.The other two S-Class sedans, Carl and Bertha, will initially travel together from Delhi through Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad, covering destinations recognised for their architecture, royal heritage and traditional crafts.
The convoy will then arrive in Pune, where Mercedes-Benz operates its manufacturing plant in India. From Pune, the two cars will separate, with one heading to Mumbai and the other travelling to Hampi. The vehicles will later reunite in Bengaluru, home to one of Mercedes-Benz’s largest research and development centres outside Germany. The final stage of the drive will take the S-Class through Goa before concluding in Mumbai, covering India’s western coastline and documenting the country’s varied landscapes and cultural diversity.Mercedes-Benz says the programme is intended to document the stories of the people, traditions, craftsmanship and communities encountered throughout the route rather than simply complete a long-distance drive. The company says the S-Class has been chosen as the central vehicle for the campaign because it represents the brand’s focus on innovation, luxury, safety, comfort and technology.The campaign also commemorates Mercedes-Benz’s role in the development of the modern automobile. Since Carl Benz introduced the first patented motor vehicle in 1886, the company has contributed to advancements in vehicle engineering, safety, luxury and mobility technologies. Alongside its current focus on electrification, software-defined vehicles and future mobility, Mercedes-Benz says the S-Class continues to represent the brand’s flagship offering. The ‘140 Years. 140 Places’ expedition is intended to connect the company’s history with its future direction while celebrating the places and communities that form part of its global presence.
