The Benz patent motorcar – forerunner of all motor vehicles

Carl Benz was fascinated by things technical. As early as 1877, he applied himself to designing stationary internal combustion engines as a substitute for the steam engine. But he soon discovered that these drives were suited for more than just stationary use. The idea of the self-propelled vehicle – the automobile – took shape. Before long, Benz realized that it was not enough to simply install an engine in a horse-drawn carriage and declare it an automobile. Applying classic engineering methods, he recognized the limitations of the existing art and created innovative technology: a horizontal gasoline-powered single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the electric ignition, the clutch, the carburetor, the radiator, a kind of gearshift and a differential for the two driven wheels.

Equipped with these items, the first motor car rolled out in 1885. It was not merely a modified carriage, but a wholly new design for which Carl Benz received a patent on January 29, 1886. This motor car was the first automobile in the history of Daimler AG, and it was sold in small numbers. At the same time, it was the first research car in corporate history, for the motives that incited Carl Benz to build his car remain unchanged for every present-day research car from Daimler AG. Each represents bold thinking far ahead into the future, combining several innovative technologies and making them experienceable. At the same time the technologies get tested and are introduced to the public. This was true for the Benz Patent Motor Car, and it holds for the latest research car.

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	The inventor and his creation: Karl Benz (in front) at the wheel of his patent motor car model III, together with Friedrich von Fischer, equally a member of the Board of Management of Benz & Cie.
	Benz Patent Motor Car – The world’s first automobile
	Benz Patent Motor Car – The world’s first automobile
	Benz Patent Motor Car – The world’s first automobile
	Mercedes-Benz C 111/I with a three-rotor Wankel-engine, 1969.
	Mercedes-Benz C 111/I with a three-rotor Wankel-engine, on the test track at Untertürkheim, 1969.
	Mercedes-Benz C 111/I with a three-rotor Wankel-engine, 1969.
	Test drive on the Hockenheim race track: Mercedes-Benz C 111/I with a three-rotor Wankel-engine, 1969.
	Mercedes-Benz C 111/I with a three-rotor Wankel-engine, 1969.
	Three generations of the C 111: -on the right: C 111/II, 1970. -in the middle: C 111/I, 1969. -on the left (background): the first prototype version of the C 111/I.
	Prototype C 111-1 and C 111-2
	C 111-II
	Tomorrow’s car on the move: The Auto 2000 research car, shown here in operation in 1982. Among other things, it served the purpose of testing different propulsion technologies.
	Auto 2000 – testing of different drive systems
	Auto 2000 – testing of different drive systems
	Auto 2000 – testing of different drive systems
	From autumn 1981 the “Auto 2000” research car was used to test new engine and aerodynamic concepts.
	From autumn 1981 the “Auto 2000” research car was used to test new engine and aerodynamic concepts.
	From autumn 1981 the “Auto 2000” research car was used to test new engine and aerodynamic concepts.
	From autumn 1981 the “Auto 2000” research car was used to test new engine and aerodynamic concepts.
	Outlining the future of the urban car: Mercedes-Benz NAFA (1982).
	NAFA – the short-distance vehicle
	NAFA – the short-distance vehicle
	Innovative from its powertrain through to its sliding doors: NAFA study of 1982.
	Made for two: As early as 1982, the NAFA model presented a practical automotive solution to problems of urban mobility.
	Technology pure – the F 100
	Technology pure – the F 100
	Technology pure – the F 100
	Technology pure – the F 100
	The C 112 research vehicle, Active Body Control (ABC)
	Four cars in one - the Vario Research Car
	The Vario Research Car of 1995 combines four vehicle concepts in one. The car can be fitted with different body types.
	The Vario Research Car of 1995 combines four vehicle concepts in one. The car can be fitted with different body types.
	The Vario Research Car of 1995 combines four vehicle concepts in one. The car can be fitted with different body types.
	Four cars in one – the Vario Research Car
	Four cars in one – the Vario Research Car
	Four cars in one – the Vario Research Car
	Four cars in one – the Vario Research Car
	Highlights of the F 200 Imagination include an innovative operating and display system. It was first presented in Paris in 1996.
	Highlights of the F 200 Imagination include an innovative operating and display system. It was first presented in Paris in 1996.
	F 200, studio shot, 3/4 view from in front, driver's door open
	Highlights of the F 200 Imagination include an innovative operating and display system. It was first presented in Paris in 1996.
	Pioneering drive-by-wire technology allows the car to be steered by a sidestick in the centre console.
	Pioneering drive-by-wire technology allows the car to be steered by a sidestick in the centre console.
	Pioneering drive-by-wire technology allows the car to be steered by a sidestick in the centre console.
	The F 300 Life-Jet was presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 1997 as a new vehicle concept which combines the cornering dynamics of a motorcycle with the safety of a passenger car.
	The F 300 Life-Jet was presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 1997 as a new vehicle concept which combines the cornering dynamics of a motorcycle with the safety of a passenger car.
	The F 300 Life-Jet was presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 1997 as a new vehicle concept which combines the cornering dynamics of a motorcycle with the safety of a passenger car.
	The F 300 Life-Jet was presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 1997 as a new vehicle concept which combines the cornering dynamics of a motorcycle with the safety of a passenger car.
	F 300, concept vehicle, Life-Jet, driving shot, from behind, rear view
	F 300, concept vehicle, Life-Jet, driving shot, rear view
	F 300, concept vehicle, Life-Jet, detail: rear-wheel swinging fork. The drive consists of a toothed belt. The swinging fork is made of cast aluminium
	F 300, concept vehicle, Life-Jet, engine compartment. The Mercedes-Benz A-class'es compact 1.6-l engine is situated between the passenger compartment and the rear wheel
	F 300, concept vehicle, Life-Jet, detail: front-wheel suspension, steering. Sophisticated construction: The F 300 Life-Jet front axle is equipped with a hydraulic system that inclines the wheels and body sideways when going around a corner. The front axle
	F 400 Carving research vehicle with dynamic chassis technology, driving shot, 3/4 view from in front
	F 400 Carving research vehicle with dynamic chassis technology, driving shot, rear view
	F 400 Carving research vehicle with dynamic chassis technology, passenger compartment, interior
	F 400 Carving, engine compartment
	The F 400 Carving research vehicle was one of the attractions at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001.
	The F 400 Carving research vehicle was one of the attractions at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001.
	F 400 Carving research vehicle with dynamic chassis technology, studio shot, 3/4 view from behind
	F 400 Carving research vehicle with dynamic chassis technology, driving shot, front view
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The F 500 Mind research vehicle: a research laboratory on wheels for the technology of the future
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	The Mercedes-Benz bionic car as a concept vehicle
	DaimlerChrysler’s fuel cell vehicle ensemble features a very young “gallery of ancestors” (right). It took the Group’s engineers only 11 years to go from the “granddaddy” Necar 1 (rear, left) to the F 600 (front, right). The bridge to the future is the B-Class F-Cell (rear, right), which should be on the road within the next few years.
	Powered by a zero-emission fuel cell drive with an output of 85 kW/115 hp, the F 600 HYGENIUS consumes the equivalent of 2.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, making it the first fuel cell vehicle to cover over 400 kilometres on a single tank of hydrogen.
	F 600 HYGENIUS: The images on both high-resolution colour displays in the dashboard are diverted by means of two mirrors before being projected to appear at a point 1.40 metres in front of the driver.
	F 600 HYGENIUS: Mercedes-Benz has devised a revolutionary new seat for the driver featuring a two-piece backrest cushion whose height, width and tilt can be adjusted to the contours of the occupant's body by means of electric motors, and which offers a particularly high level of support in the midriff area.
	With an overall exterior length of 5.18 meters the F 700 is a little shorter than the current long-wheelbase version of the S-Class, but with its generously sized wheelbase of 3.45 meters the research car excels the production model by impressive 28.5 centimeters.
	With its F 700 research car, Mercedes-Benz redefi nes the idea of effortless, superior refi nement. This concept for a future luxurious touring sedan shows how outstanding riding quality can be combined with high levels of environmental friendliness, and good performance with exceptionally low fuel consumption.
	Mercedes-Benz F 700 research car, exterior
	Whereas the three other doors open conventionally (hinges at the forward edge, handles at the rear), the fourth door is hinged at the rear. This facilitates boarding and leaving for the passenger when the REVERSE seat is positioned opposite the direction of travel. The driver’s door and the front passengers door also “observe” their surroundings attentively. In the base of the mirror of this PRE-SCAN door there is a very compact laser scanner which examines the area in which the door swings open for any obstacles. If collisions threaten, the door is arrested by a controllable hydraulic cylinder.
	Mercedes-Benz F 700 research car, exterior
	The spacious interior, the innovative, multifunctional configuration of the seats, or the use of elegant but natural materials enable an extremely relaxed form of transportation. With its REVERSE seat the F 700 breaks up the firmly established seat arrangement of conventional sedans and offers individual seating positions facing, or with one’s back to, the direction of travel, always affording maximum spaciousness and supreme comfort.
	Mercedes-Benz F 700 Research Car
	“SERVO-HMI” – the innovative operating concept. The display is not only particularly gentle on the eyes; the number of controls also has been appreciably reduced and the menu structure has been made strikingly simple and self-explanatory. The driver can “discuss” more complex inputs, such as a destination for navigation purposes, in dialogue with an avatar, a virtual operating assistant.
	The exceptional efficiency of the overall concept of the F 700 is evident at first sight: its design is distinguished by soft, flowing forms. “Aqua Dynamic” is the name the designers have given to this design idiom with which they translated the flow dynamics of a fish into the design. The design provides an immediately indication that much room has been given to the passengers.
	Mercedes-Benz F 700 research car, technology
	Mercedes-Benz F 700 research car, technology
	The future oriented DIESOTTO-powertrain with its 1.8-l displacement, 4-cylinder spark-ignition combines the performance of a gasoline engine and the high torque and fuel economy of a state-of-the-art diesel together with extremely clean emissions. Additionally, CO2 emissions of a mere 127 grams per kilometer correspond to consumption of only 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (44.3 mpg), extremely low for a vehicle of this class. The new technology package includes features such as direct gasoline injection, turbocharging and a variable compression. At the core of this innovation lies the controlled auto ignition, a highly effi cient combustion process similar to that of a diesel. The DIESOTTO-system can be operated using conventional gasoline fuel.
	The “eyes” of the F 700 are integrated into the headlamps. With two laser scanners the active PRE-SCAN suspension scans the roadway in front of the car. The hydraulically controlled active suspension proactively compensates for detected hindrances, enabling entirely new comfort characteristics.

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