10 Things To Know About The Mercedes

Discover 10 fascinating facts about the iconic Mercedes-Benz logo and brand. Uncover the history and meaning behind this renowned automotive symbol.

Mercedes-Benz is one of the oldest and most highly regarded vehicle manufacturers. The brand's three-pointed star emblem is instantly recognizable and synonymous with premium cars. In addition to boasting a long history, Mercedes-Benz strives to continue innovating and developing the cars of the future. Electric mobility is the direction the automotive industry appears to be heading, with a gradual phasing out of internal combustion engines. Mercedes is certainly aligned with these market forces and is actively pursuing the goal to go all-electric.

Mercedes-Benz is a diverse business, manufacturing not only passenger cars but a whole raft of other vehicle types. It is fair to say the world would be a very different place without Mercedes-Benz, and its investment and development into automotive technology. While the brand's future looks set, it makes sense to look back over Mercedes's past and explore how it has developed into the highly successful manufacturer it is today.

This list detailing 10 things you need to know about Mercedes-Benz, has been compiled using data and information from Mercedes.

Related: The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven Revives An Eccentric Concept From The Past

Mercedes-Benz is widely credited for producing the world's first production automobile. German engineer Carl Benz developed the first stationary gasoline engine, which first ran on New Year’s Eve of 1879. Benz subsequently created a vehicle to showcase his engine.

Known as the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the two-seater vehicle sported a tricycle design and was completed in 1885. Power was supplied by the high-speed single-cylinder four-stroke engine, and just 0.75-hp was on offer.

The "three-pointed star" of Mercedes-Benz is one of the most iconic logos in the world. Even looking outside the automotive sphere, the Mercedes logo must surely rank right up there as one of the most identifiable. While most of us are familiar with its design, very few of us actually understand the origins of the logo.

Legend has it that Gottlieb Daimler sent his sons a postcard in 1872, and a three-pointed star was used to indicate the location of their home. The brothers used this as the basis of the Mercedes-Benz logo, developing it from the blue originally used to the silver design we are now familiar with. Each point is said to represent land, sea, and air, the environments that the company wanted to conquer. The final piece of the puzzle relates to the circle in which the star is housed. Added in 1926, it marked the merger of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz.

Most people associate Mercedes-Benz with its premium passenger cars. However, the brand actually produces a vast array of other vehicles. Trucks are one of the major ones, with the subsidiary producing every conceivable hauler you can imagine. From long-distance models like the Actros to the Econic garbage truck and Arocs construction truck, it's a truly comprehensive line-up. A range of vans is also sold, for the less demanding transportation needs.

Buses are another big part of Mercedes's business. The Citaro is the brand's regular service bus, and in addition to diesel, is available in both hybrid and electric configurations. For more luxurious travel, the Tourismo coach is just the ticket.

Mercedes-Benz and AMG are so intrinsically linked today, it seems inconceivable they were ever separate entities. AMG was originally founded in 1967 and stands for Aufecht, Melcher, and Großaspach. The names of the two former Mercedes engineers who founded AMG make up the name. Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher focussed on race engines initially, before realizing a market existed for tuning and customization packages.

Following successful racing endeavors involving Mercedes-Benz and AMG in the 80s, a cooperation agreement was formalized in 1990. The 1993 C63 AMG was the first car to be jointly developed. In 1999, Daimler-Benz took full control of the brand, and the AMG badge was applied to its highest-performing cars.

Related: 10 High-Performance Mercedes-AMG Sports Cars That Dominate The Road

As well as sports and supercars, Mercedes-Benz had also developed its own truly special hypercar. Known as the Mercedes AMG Project One, the car seeks to utilize Formula One-derived technology and deliver it in a road-legal package. The car is effectively powered by the same hybrid powertrain found in a Mercedes Formula One car.

The setup is formed by a 1.6-liter V6 engine combined with an electric motor. The combustion engine powers the rear wheels providing them with over 500 kW of power. The front wheels meanwhile are provided with power by two 120 kW electric motors. In total, the AMG One produces 740 kW of power or over 1000 hp. Power generated is passed to the wheels through an automated 8-speed manual gearbox.

0-60 MPH

2.8 seconds

Top Speed

219 mph

Curb Weight

3,737 lbs

Horsepower

1,049 hp

Torque

Unknown

Layout

V6 hybrid powertrain

Related: These Two Road Cars Used F1-Derived Engines Long Before The Mercedes-AMG One

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team requires no introductions. Dominating the sport in the turbo hybrid era, an incredible eight consecutive Constructors' titles were won. The team's drivers have been similarly successful, taking seven Drivers' championships. Between 2014 and 2021, Lewis Hamilton took six of these, with Nico Rosberg winning his first title in 2016.

Mercedes-Benz first competed in Formula One in 1954 and subsequently won two Drivers' Championships. Following the Le Mans disaster in 1955, Mercedes withdrew from the sport. The current team can be traced back to 2010 when the brand purchased a 45% stake in the successful Brawn GP team.

Maybach as a brand was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach. The company was brought back to life in the early 2000s with the release of two models based on the S Class, the 57 and the 62. The brand fell out of favor, and in the 2010s production was cut. As remains the case today, Maybach was relaunched as a Mercedes-Benz sub-brand named Maybach-Mercedes.

Just like many other luxury carmakers, Maybach-Mercedes has diversified away from its original focus on high-end sedans. Today, you can get your hands on the uber-luxurious Maybach GLS 600. Built to compete against the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, it leaves little to be desired.

Mercedes-Benz has built a reputation for producing some of the most reliable cars on the market. Many consumers believe Mercedes-built cars will last several hundred thousand miles, and trust the three-pointed star. Whether the current reality matches up with this belief is almost irrelevant, as the brand has performed so well historically that it would take a lot to change public perception.

In many areas of Europe, and especially in the brand's home country Germany, Mercedes are regularly used as taxis. The E-Class is one of the most commonly seen models, with the Vito becoming increasingly popular. There is a widely held belief that if the vehicles can stand up to the rigorous demands taxi usage places on them, they will do just fine as your daily driver. Check out these affordable Mercedes with bulletproof reliability.

When you think of off-road vehicles, brands like Land Rover and Jeep come to mind. However, Mercedes also deserves recognition for the off-road vehicles it has produced. At the end of World War II, former head of Daimler-Benz aircraft engine production Albert Friedrich set about building an off-road capable tractor. Known as the Unimog, the hulking vehicle was produced from 1948 before being bought by Mercedes-Benz in 1950. The Unimog has remained in production ever since and is highly versatile.

The G-Wagen or G-Class as it is now branded, was originally known as the Geländewagen and released in 1979. The now iconic vehicle was first produced as a military off-roader and remains to this day extremely capable in challenging conditions and harsh environments. Of course, the G-Class is now far more luxurious than the utility-focused original.

Related: This Is The Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz S-Class Year To Buy Used

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been one of the most technologically advanced luxobarges money can buy. The model was first announced in 1972 with the W116 generation S-Class. Since then, a total of seven versions have been released, each upping the level of comfort and refinement.

The S-Class is generally considered a car you would most likely want to be driven in rather than drive. The rear seats offer passengers an experience that could rival a private jet. There is ample legroom available, and if you opt for the extended wheelbase version there is 24mm more legroom and 11mm more elbow room The current W223 model was released in 2020 and is the seventh generation of Mercedes' flagship vehicle. Check out some of the competition here.

Benjamin has always had an interest in all things automotive. He is a keen follower of Formula One, and is particularly enjoying watching the rise of George Russell and Lando Norris. He is most knowledgeable about modern cars, but is learning more and more about classics. Currently based just North of London.