Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that India will host the next milestone of its global ‘140 years’. Spidizioni 140 Places, a worldwide campaign that marks 140 years since the invention of the automobile. As part of the initiative, three new Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans will travel across six continents and 140 destinations. During the leg in India, the luxury flagship will pass through several historically, culturally and geographically significant places 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.The India leg begins in JulyThe journey to India will begin in July and will take the S-Class through a wide range of destinations that represent the country’s heritage, architecture, craftsmanship, urban development and natural diversity. Before reaching India, the three participating S-Class sedans had already traveled more than 60,000 km across more than 55 countries on six continents. Named Gotlieb, Carl and Bertha, the vehicles honor the pioneers associated with the origins of Mercedes-Benz.According to the company, the combination of India’s cultural heritage, technological growth and diverse terrain makes it a key destination in the global program and reflects the evolution of the S-Class over the years. The trip to India was planned through two separate routes to cover different regions of the country.
The first route, undertaken by Gotlieb, will start in New Delhi before continuing to Amritsar, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. This section includes some of the highest mountain roads in the world, including Umling La, along with the high passes near Manali. The route will then descend into the Gangetic plain. From there, the S-Class travels 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 India’s itinerary, before returning to Delhi.The other two S-Class sedans, Carl and Bertha, will initially travel together from Delhi via Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad, covering destinations recognized 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 for Mumbai and the other for Hampi. The vehicles will then assemble in Bengaluru, home to one of Mercedes-Benz’s largest research and development centers outside of Germany. The final leg of the journey will take the S-Class through Goa before concluding in Mumbai, covering India’s west coast and documenting the country’s diverse landscapes and cultural diversity.Mercedes-Benz says the program aims to document the stories of people, traditions, crafts and communities encountered along the way rather than just completing a long-distance journey. The company says the S-Class was 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 vehicle in 1886, the company has contributed to advancements in vehicle engineering, safety, luxury and mobility technologies. In addition to 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. The 140 Places campaign aims to connect the company’s history with its future direction while celebrating the places and communities that are part of its global presence.
