Bertha Benz: The Woman behind the History of Mercedes-Benz

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Prestige Motors

Mercedes-Benz is globally recognized as a leader among luxury car manufacturers, but many are unaware that one of the earliest driving forces behind Mercedes innovation was a woman. Bertha Benz is one of the most intriguing characters in the history of Mercedes, and without her, the brand might not ever have come into existence. The spirit of Mercedes innovation lives on, a testament to the memory of the brand’s creators, including Bertha Benz. Continue reading →

Mercedes Innovation: The First Car

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Prestige Motors

Mercedes innovation is legendary, with vehicles proven on the racetrack and safety innovations that make the company an industry leader. For over a century, Mercedes-Benz has set the pace for others to follow, and that proud tradition carries on today, with every indication of Mercedes innovation continuing to blaze trails into the future. While most people know some of the history of Mercedes, and may be familiar with Mercedes-Benz safety innovation, many are not aware that the company was responsible for the first car. Continue reading →

The History Behind the Mercedes-Benz Brand and the Three-Pointed Star

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Prestige Motors

Most people know that the history of Mercedes-Benz is a long and colorful one, but not everyone knows the history behind the Mercedes Benz brand and the three pointed star. Mercedes-Benz has a colorful past, spanning more than a century, and culminating in the brand we appreciate today. If you do not know it already, then sit back, relax, and let Prestige Motors, an NJ Mercedes dealer, explain the history behind the Mercedes-Benz brand and the three pointed star. Continue reading →

Mercedes Famous Models

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Prestige Motors

In the company’s rich history, spanning over a century, Mercedes famous models have stood out from the crowd. Branded with a name that already indicates superior engineering and a commitment to excellence in luxury, these vehicles are the cream of the Mercedes crop. Stars, dignitaries, and others drawn to luxury all across the globe have driven them.

The SS K came out in 1928. With speeds up to 120 miles per hour, it was the fastest car in the world! It was the highest ranked sporting motor of its time.
1936 saw the arrival of the 260 D. It was only the second car ever made with a diesel engine, and was a huge success.
The Type 300 came on the scene in the 1950s. Powerful and elegant, it was the precursor to the modern S-Class.
By the 1990s, the company had revealed the C-Class. This evolved into the C-Class Sportcoupe, the CLC-Class, CLK-Class, and the E-Class Coupe.
In 2007, Mercedes made history with the F700 Concept car. It featured a dramatically styled “aquadynamic” exterior, a completely redesigned interior, and the ability to recognize the condition of the road in order to level out uneven spots with PRE-SCAN suspension, using laser scanners and a hydraulically controlled active suspension.
In 2009, the S 400 Blue Hybrid and Blue Zero were unveiled. Perfect for environmentally concerned drivers, these vehicles reduce emissions significantly, while providing excellent gas mileage.

The appeal of Mercedes Benz vehicles is unsurpassed. Driven by all sorts of notable figures, both fictional and actual, from James Bond, to Italy’s Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi, to Russell Crowe, Mercedes style and performance cannot be denied. Since the beginning of the 20^th century, the company has set the standard for luxury vehicles. Stop by Prestige Mercedes, and their knowledgeable staff can help you find the model that is perfect for you.

Mercedes Racing History

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Prestige Motors

Mercedes is an icon of luxury and style around the world- an excellent example of German engineering. What many people may not know, though, is that Mercedes has been involved in motorsports for over a century. From the Belle Époque in 1895, to current participation in Formula 3, DTM, and Formula 1 racing, Mercedes has always been a formidable presence in racing. Here’s a quick glance at the Mercedes racing history:

1894- Back before the Mercedes brand name was created, DMG could boast that 9 of the 15 cars that finished the first public auto race were theirs.
1900- The first truly ‘modern’ car is developed, a 35-horsepower racing model named “Mercedes” after the daughter of the man who ordered its production.
1901- Mercedes arrives on the Belle Époque racing scene in France, and creates a stir, cruising to victory in the Nice-Aix-Salon-Nice race, with an average speed of 58.1 km/hr.
1908- Mercedes places 1^st and 5^th in the French Grand Prix, defeating France’s hope for a “Le Grande Nation” victory.
1911- The “Blitzen Benz” established a world record that remained undefeated until 1919: 228.1km/hr.
1914- Victory again in the French Grand Prix, with a first, second and third place finish for Mercedes cars.
1915- Racing is temporarily suspended because of World War I.
1927- Mercedes “White Elephants” dominate the racing world, with 76 victories in 90 races.
1934- In order to meet new weight regulations imposed by the International Association of Motoring Clubs, race organizer Alfred Neubauer instructs his mechanics to remove the coat of white paint from his Mercedes-Benz. The car meets weight, wins the race, and the legendary Silver Arrow is born.
1938- The Mercedes-Benz team sweeps Tripoli with a one, two, three finish.
1939- Racing is again halted because of World War 2.
1952- The Mercedes Gullwing wins races across the globe
1954- The Daimler Benz racing team devotes itself to Formula One racing, and dominates the French Grand Prix
1978- High speed V8 coupes arrive on the scene, and Mercedes continues to dominate the racing scene
1989- Partnering with the Sauber team, Mercedes wins five races, and finishes Championship runners up.
1992- Mercedes is unbeatable, dominating the German Touring Car Championship by a comfortable margin, with sixteen individual victories. This winning streak continues throughout the 90s.
1998- Silver Arrows make a comeback! Complex composite material structures are developed to absorb energy more effectively, and victories continue.
2000- Returning to the German Touring Car Championship after a four year hiatus, Mercedes wins eight of a total possible sixteen victories.
2008- Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton becomes the youngest driver ever to win the World Championship in Formula One racing.

Not surprisingly, Mercedes is gearing up for another successful racing season in 2011. Given their long and illustrious history, Mercedes-Benz is sure to dominate racing for as long as the sport exists.

Mercedes-Benz 125th Anniversary: More Than a Century of Excellence

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Prestige Motors

125 Years of Innovation

In 1886, German inventor Karl Benz received a patent for a horseless carriage, and the world was never the same. This year is the Mercedes Benz 125^th anniversary, and the auto maker is celebrating the past while pushing forward with an innovative vision for the future. Here, we document the beginnings of one of the world’s most respected automobile companies:

The three-wheeled horseless carriage was patented in 1886. It reached speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and was the first gasoline powered automobile.
1888, Bertha Benz took a drive. In order to demonstrate the vehicle’s capacity for long distance travel, the wife of Karl Benz drove it 121 miles! She took her sons along for the ride, but acted as her own mechanic, using a hat pin and a garter to make some minor adjustments along the way.
1895, the Omnibus came into being. The world’s first motor coach was ordered from Benz & Co in December of 1894 and began a scheduled route shortly thereafter. Despite a few setbacks, the omnibuses were in high demand by 1095.
1901, Mercedes became the first modern automobile. With 35 hp and a low center of gravity, the Mercedes was an independent design. This lightweight but powerful vehicle signaled the end of the horseless carriage.
In 1906, a symbol was born. The iconic three pointed star logo came into being, and the trademark is still an emblem of quality across the globe.
Two great companies merged in 1926. Following World War 1, Benz and Daimler Motor Group merged to create Daimler-Benz AG. They began developing cars under the brand name, Mercedes-Benz.

From that time forward, history has continued to be made, with Mercedes-Benz bringing more to the table with each passing year. From the beautiful early models in the 30s, to the intriguing gull wings of the 50s, from ever faster racing vehicles to ever more comfortable luxury sedans, from high quality SUVs to ecologically sound hybrids, Mercedes-Benz continues to uphold its proud history. The anticipation of the future is exciting, as the company continues to press forward with ever more innovative vision.

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