Racing, tradition and the future: Icons from 140 years of innovation at 1000 Miglia

Stuttgart, June 03, 2026

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1 Document

9 to 13 June 2026: The “most beautiful race in the world” from Brescia to Rome and back
Mercedes-Benz Classic underscores 140 years of innovation with select 300 SL sports cars and the new S-Class: Pioneering technology meets historic racing success
Seven customer teams taking part in the Mercedes-Benz Heritage works team
Mercedes-Benz S-Class tradition: Impressive placing at the 1956 Mille Miglia

Overall and class victories for Mercedes-Benz in the legendary Mille Miglia road race are highlights in the brand’s 140 years of innovation and automotive history. Each of these successes is tangible proof of the innovative culture of the world’s oldest car manufacturer. Mercedes-Benz Classic is celebrating this at 1000 Miglia from 9 to 13 June 2026 with a total of four Mercedes-Benz 300 SL models (model series W 194 and W 198) lining up at the start. Additionally, seven customers will be participating as part of the Mercedes-Benz works team. The experts from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will be at the event to look after all the team vehicles. More information on 1000 Miglia customer packages:
www.mercedes-benz.com/millemiglia

“The Mille Miglia is the ideal stage to bring our ‘Heritage Creates Future’ philosophy to life. For 140 years, Mercedes-Benz has been setting technical standards with innovation, shaping the future of mobility in every era. This includes our great successes at Mille Miglia. This lineage continues with unwavering consistency: The current S-Class epitomises the progress that comes from our unique heritage.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH.

Reminiscences of the 300 SL’s successes at Mille Miglia

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL model designation has a unique charisma. One of only ten Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports cars (W 194) built will compete in 1000 Miglia in 2026. With these, the brand made a brilliant return to motorsport in 1952. Mille Miglia was the premiere venue 74 years ago, with Mercedes-Benz finishing second and fourth in this first race. Back then, Rudolf Caracciola and Paul Kurrle started in the W 194 now being presented at 1000 Miglia.

The production version 300 SL (W 198) – the legendary “gullwing”, a super sports car of its time – was based on the W 194 and launched just two years later. This icon is a milestone in 140 years of Mercedes-Benz innovation. Two W 198 models from the company’s collection and another from Mercedes-Benz Italy will compete at 1000 Miglia in 2026.

From 1954 to 1957, a total of 1,400 “gullwing” were produced, and the dream sports car was built as a roadster until 1963. In 1999, car journalists voted the 300 SL the “sports car of the century”.

Links to further information and historical photos in our M@RS media database:

The new S-Class brings 140 years of innovation to life

A new Mercedes-Benz S-Class from model series 223 is accompanying the 1000 Miglia field over all five stages from Brescia to Rome and back. The world premiere of the luxury saloon in January 2026 was the starting point of celebrating 140 years of innovation. A fleet of three new S-Class vehicles is currently midway through a worldwide expedition, visiting 140 places all around the globe. Over the course of the year, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the invention of the automobile in 1886, with more than 20 launches of cars including the new S-Class and many other all-new or significantly updated models.

Class victory in 1956 is part of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class tradition

The Italian long-distance classic is also part of the S-Class tradition. 70 years ago, at the 1956 Mille Miglia, Erwin Bauer and Eugen Grupp won their class with the then current Mercedes-Benz 220 “Ponton” (W 180) – one of the predecessors of today’s S-Class. Surrounded by decidedly sporty vehicles, they achieved a respectable 25th place overall with the luxury saloon. Also in 1956, privately entered 300 SL models (W 198) achieved sixth, seventh, eighth and tenth place overall. Mercedes-Benz was not officially competing in motorsport at this time. At the end of the 1955 season, the brand withdrew from the competition at the height of its success and focussed on the development of new passenger cars.

Further research and multimedia material:
mercedes-benz-archive.com/marsmuseum

Mercedes-Benz Classic on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/mercedesbenzmuseum
https://www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzmuseum

Mercedes-Benz anniversary year “140 years of innovation”

Since Carl Benz registered the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built the motor carriage shortly thereafter, Mercedes-Benz has been committed to constant innovation in order to build the world’s most desirable cars for its customers. This aspiration has driven every innovation – from the world’s first automobile in 1886 to the intelligent and safe electric vehicles of today, such as the new GLC and the award-winning new CLA. With the new S-Class, the company is continuing the largest model initiative in its history. With a passion for performance and pioneering spirit, excellence and consistent customer orientation, the brand with the three-pointed star has always shaped the future of mobility. The result goes far beyond technical achievements – it creates the unmistakable feeling that Mercedes-Benz stands for in all its endeavours: Engineered around you.

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by sending three new S-Class saloons on a transcontinental journey to 140 destinations worldwide. Each location highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and global presence. Along the way, customers, fans and colleagues can join in the celebrations – on an epic journey that will last until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” tour across six continents in our “140 Years of Innovation | Mercedes-Benz Media” special and in the Mercedes-Benz Community.