New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz India will bring the India leg of its global “140 Years. 140 Places.” transcontinental journey to the country in July, with three new S-Class luxury limousines set to travel across some of India’s most culturally, geographically and architecturally significant destinations.
The world tour marks 140 years since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile in Germany in 1886, a milestone Mercedes-Benz is using to highlight its legacy as the inventor of the automobile and its continuing focus on luxury mobility, technology and innovation.
The three S-Class cars, named Gotlieb, Carl and Bertha, have already covered more than 60,000 km across six continents and over 55 countries, travelling through Europe, South America, North America, South-East Asia, Australia and New Zealand before arriving in India. The global journey will visit 140 symbolic locations worldwide.
In India, the route will stretch from the high passes of the Himalayas to the Gangetic plains, and from major metros such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to destinations including Jammu, Leh, Hampi, Coorg and Goa. For a limousine more commonly associated with boardrooms and boulevards, the itinerary appears determined to add mountain passes and monsoon memories to the résumé.
“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,” said Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.
The India journey will be divided across two broad routes named after Mercedes-Benz pioneers. Gotlieb will travel through the northern frontier, beginning in New Delhi before moving to Amritsar, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The route will include some of the world’s most challenging and scenic mountain roads, including Umling La, regarded as the highest motorable pass on earth, along with demanding passes around Manali.
After the Himalayan stretch, the drive will descend into the cultural heartland of Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna, cities known for craftsmanship, spirituality, artistry and tradition. The route will then cross into Bhutan, the only international leg of the India journey, before returning to Delhi for its conclusion.
Carl and Bertha will travel west and south from New Delhi through Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad, covering destinations associated with architecture, royalty, craftsmanship and heritage. The cars will then reach Pune, Mercedes-Benz’s manufacturing base in India.
From Pune, the two S-Class cars will split briefly. One will travel through Mumbai, while the other will head toward Hampi, known for its historic landscapes and monumental architecture. The cars will reunite in Bengaluru, home to Mercedes-Benz’s technology and research and development operations in India, before continuing westward through Goa and concluding in Mumbai.
Mercedes-Benz said the journey is designed to document India’s landscapes, traditions, innovations, craftsmanship and customer stories. The S-Class will serve as the flagship vehicle for the initiative, representing the brand’s long-running themes of innovation, comfort, safety, luxury and technology.
The “140 Years. 140 Places.” initiative also comes during what Mercedes-Benz describes as one of the most ambitious product programmes in its history. The company said the journey is intended to connect its 1886 origins with its future mobility ambitions.
For India, the tour places the spotlight not only on Mercedes-Benz’s flagship limousine but also on the country’s remarkable contrasts — from Himalayan passes to coastal highways, from ancient cities to technology hubs. In that sense, the India leg is less just a drive and more a rolling postcard of a country where tradition and progress often share the same road, occasionally with traffic.
