It’s not easy to get animated about oldthings, unless you’re a lover of antiques,cobwebs or dust.Having said that, any celebration that

pointedly showcases the history ofautomotive engineering... then I’m in.On January 29th this year Mercedes-

Benz celebrated 125 years of innovation.125 years after Carl Benz filed his‘vehicle with gas engine drive’ underpatent number 37435 at the BerlinPatent Office in 1886, we somehow inthe blink of an eye seem to havezoomed forward in a petrol driven timewarp. Look where we are now. TheJanuary 2011 date marks the anniversarywhen Carl Benz filed this application forthe copyright on his three-wheeledmotor car. Let’s not even think aboutReliant Robins at this point.Since that stellar moment in Berlin the

date has been widely recognised as theofficial birthday of the motor car. Andat the same time as Herr Benz was busyon three wheels, Gottlieb Daimler wasdeveloping the first four-wheeled motorcar. I like the sound of him, much moresensible. Three wheels? I ask you.Anyway, working independently of

each other, the founding fathers ofDaimler AG and the globally successfulMercedes-Benz brand laid the buildingblocks for the modern motor vehicle. It’swidely recognised that the company thatinvented the motor car has since that

time gone on to shape its developmentmore diversely and enduringly than anyother motor vehicle manufacturer in aplethora of relevant areas; from drivetechnology to comfort and safetythrough to design. It’s Mercedes-Benzwho first opened a research centre forcar accidents. That very same team wenton to investigate actual accidents on theroads in Germany and were directlyattributable for the improvement on thesafety of new models. Following thisresearch Mercedes-Benz dug deep andbegan creating a raft of safety drivendevices that we all take for granted thesedays. There’s the safety beltpre-tensioners, the airbag, safety beltswith inertia reel three-point, offset crashtests (frontal part, similar to those in reallife), ABS, height-adjustable seatbelts,ESP, brake assist system. The hits justkeep on coming, as it’s a seeminglyendless list of achievements. In order to

strengthen its position as aground-breaking manufacturer,Mercedes-Benz currently has at itsdisposal a global network comprising of19,000 researchers and developersaround the world. This is a hugecommitment to the future that has othermanufacturers wincing.Only last month Mercedes-Benz of

Cheltenham & Gloucester launchedanother trendsetting model – the newgeneration re-styled CLS. It seems to methat there’s no better time to think aboutbuying a new or Approved UsedMercedes-Benz, as the local dealership inCheltenham appears to be in acelebratory and buoyant mood. In otherwords grab yourself a deal now.Steve Lyons, Dealer Principal,

Mercedes- Benz, Cheltenham &Gloucester said, ‘our 125th anniversaryis a huge year for us and to mark this wehave some incredible offers right now’.So there we have it. Some great deals

to be had and not a gas driven three-wheeler to be seen. Thank God.

APRIL 2011 COTSWOLD STYLE � 139

Eric Barton takes a look at 125 years of Mercedes-Benz...

CS

motoring

all that gas

For more informationwwwwww..mmeerrcceeddeess--bbeennzzooffgglloouucceesstteerr..ccoo..uukkTel: 01452 698111Mercedes-Benz of Cheltenham &Gloucester Ashville Business Park,Cheltenham Road East, Staverton,Gloucester, GL2 9QJ.

The �rst Mercedes-Benz threewheeled motor car.

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