FIVE FUN FACTS: MERCEDES-BENZ

Is Mercedes-Benz Really King of the Road?

The Mercedes-Benz logo is an international symbol of luxury. It may be the most easily recognized high-end vehicle in the world. Anytime you see someone behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz, you will automatically assume a certain level of class and distinction. You may know what it means to drive a Mercedes, but how much do you know about the most popular high-end vehicle on the road? Here are five fun facts that you may not have known about Mercedes-Benz.

Way Ahead of the Hybrid Trend

Since gas-powered vehicles are the norm and have been so for a long time now, we tend to think of hybrid technology as “futuristic.” The truth is that Mercedes Benz was creating hybrid vehicles back in 1906. That early model was called the Mercedes-Benz Mixte Model. It had a gas-powered engine in the front, and an electrical system in the back to spark the rear hubs.

Superior Handling Since the 1920s

Mercedes-Benz has always been a leader in driver safety and comfort. By 1924, they were one of the first to put brakes on all four tires. They didn’t stop there; they innovated Mercedes-Benz handling by putting suspension on each corner of the vehicle. This is when Mercedes-Benz established itself as a leader in the automotive industry, making changes in auto manufacturing that would become the gold standard.

Making it Safer to Crash

Mercedes-Benz engineers had safety ideas that were different from American automakers. While American auto manufacturers thought it would be safer to add more metal, these engineers developed special cells that would deform upon impact. This “crumple zone” made it possible to distribute the force of the impact during a car crash. Every Mercedes-Benz would be equipped with this technology by 1959.

Anti-Lock Brakes Began With the S Class

Anti-Lock braking systems are a standard safety feature in modern vehicles. They have helped save many lives over the years, and Mercedes-Benz can be credited as one of its early innovators. Mercedes refined this technology with Bosco, and added it to the S Class model in 1978. Shortly after, anti-lock brakes were standard for all Mercedes-Benz models.

Self-Driving Cars Have Been Here

The idea of self-driving cars has become fairly commonplace now. It’s not some vision of the future from a sci-fi movie. Mercedes-Benz should be saying welcome to the party. They were developing and putting self-driving vehicles onto the road back in 1995, with the W140 S Class. It drove for 1,000 miles on the Autobahn at speeds up to 115 mph. Some of this same technology is being used as standard safety features in Mercedes-Benz.

The Mercedes-Benz experts at Auto Stop in Arlington, VA, are prepared to handle all of your vehicle’s preventative maintenance and repair needs.