Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1886)

In 1886, Carl Benz introduced the Patent-Motorwagen — widely regarded as the world’s first automobile.

With the filing of patent number 37435, this three-wheeled vehicle marked a defining moment in history — the birth of individual motorised mobility and the beginning of the modern automotive age.

At a time when transportation relied on horse-drawn carriages, Carl Benz envisioned a self-propelled vehicle powered by a gasoline engine.

Rather than adapting existing carriages, he developed the Motorwagen as a complete system — integrating engine, chassis and drivetrain into a single, purpose-built design.

The Motorwagen featured a lightweight tubular steel frame, three wire-spoked wheels and a compact single-cylinder four-stroke engine mounted at the rear. 

With an output of approximately 0.75 horsepower, it introduced key technical principles — including ignition, cooling and drivetrain systems — that would define automotive engineering for generations.

In August 1888, Carl Benz’s wife Bertha, accompanied by her sons Eugen and Richard, undertook the first long-distance journey in automotive history — travelling from Mannheim to Pforzheim.

Covering 100 kilometres, the journey demonstrated the practicality of the Motorwagen to the world, transforming it from an experimental invention into a viable means of transport — and bringing global attention to the birth of the automobile.

The Benz Patent-Motorwagen did more than introduce a new machine — it established the foundations of an entire industry. Widely recognised as the first practical automobile, it would lead to the first production vehicles and the evolution of modern cars.

From this moment onward, the automobile became an integral part of everyday life — and the story of Mercedes-Benz began.

Step into the legacy of iconic automobiles and explore the evolution of design and innovation through time. Discover a curated display of classic models across our Mercedes-Benz Brand Centres, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

At Mercedes-Benz, the future of mobility has been shaped by a dedication to evolving human needs and innovating solutions that move the world forward.

Discover what makes every drive with Mercedes-Benz feel like home through human-centric innovation across design, comfort, intuitive technology and advanced safety. Every detail is unmistakably Mercedes-Benz and creates a space that understands how you move, think and drive. Find yours.