Mercedes-Benz brings its global “140 Years. 140 Places.” world tour to India, celebrating the Three-Pointed Star’s 140-year legacy of innovation and progress. The India leg, beginning in July, will feature three specially named S-Class saloons Gotlieb, Carl and Bertha that have already traversed more than 60,000 km across six continents and over 55 countries as part of an epic transcontinental drive to visit 140 symbolic locations worldwide.
The tour honors the company’s origins: 140 years since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile in 1886. For Mercedes-Benz, the anniversary is both an homage to its pioneering past and a showcase of how that heritage informs its future vision of mobility. In India, the S-Class serves as the flagship ambassador, linking the brand’s engineering prowess and luxury DNA to the country’s rich tapestry of culture, architecture and innovation.
Gotlieb will chart the northern frontier, beginning in New Delhi and moving through Amritsar, Jammu and the breathtaking high-altitude landscapes of Kashmir and Ladakh. This route will test the S-Class on some of the world’s most challenging mountain roads, including Umling La, the highest motorable pass on earth, and the demanding passes around Manali. Mercedes-Benz says these stretches underline the S-Class’s engineering capability, comfort and refinement even in extreme conditions. The northern journey will then descend into the Gangetic plain, visiting Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna — cities known for their artisanal traditions, spiritual heritage and living craftsmanship before crossing briefly into Bhutan and returning to Delhi.
Carl and Bertha will take a more westerly and southerly course, starting together from New Delhi and moving through India’s famed “Golden Triangle” of Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur, and then onward to Ahmedabad. These cities highlight India’s architectural grandeur, royal histories and craft legacies. From Ahmedabad the cars will reach Pune, home to Mercedes-Benz’s Indian manufacturing facility. After Pune the two S-Class will split: one will drive the cosmopolitan route to Mumbai, the other will explore the storied ruins of Hampi and the cultural landscapes of the Deccan before both reunite in Bengaluru, where Mercedes-Benz’s tech and R&D presence in India is concentrated. The tour will continue along the western coast taking in Goa’s beaches and concluding in Mumbai capturing the subcontinent’s coastal beauty and vibrant local stories.
The India chapter of the global tour aims to capture people’s stories, traditions, and ingenuity as much as scenic landmarks. Mercedes-Benz frames the S-Class as a moving platform to document and celebrate the interplay between India’s enduring cultural heritage and its rapid technological progress traits the brand sees reflected in the S-Class’s own evolution. The campaign will connect with local communities, fans and customers through curated engagements and digital storytelling, offering audiences a view of India’s diversity through the lens of Mercedes-Benz craftsmanship.
This global initiative arrives during one of the brand’s most ambitious product programmes. The new S-Class stands at the center of Mercedes-Benz’s vision: a synthesis of cutting-edge technology, human-centric design, elevated comfort and advanced safety. The company positions the vehicle not just as a luxury saloon but as a symbol of “welcome home” the emotional core that Mercedes-Benz seeks to create in every interaction and experience.
Mercedes-Benz India has been a significant chapter in the brand’s international story. The company marked 30 years of operations in India in 2024 and runs a major production facility in Chakan near Pune, part of the brand’s global manufacturing network. The factory supports both local assembly and broader product strategies, while Mercedes-Benz India’s retail footprint includes more than 140 touchpoints across 50+ cities. The brand also highlights its role in India’s electric vehicle transition, with locally produced models such as the EQS 580 sedan and EQS SUV in its expanding BEV portfolio.
As the S-Class cars traverse India’s plains, mountains and coasts, Mercedes-Benz invites customers and fans to follow the journey and join the celebration of 140 years of automotive innovation. The “140 Years. 140 Places.” world tour is more than a commemorative drive: it is a narrative of mobility, heritage and future ambition, bringing together stories from across the globe while underscoring the brand’s continuing pursuit to shape the future of luxury and mobility.
