Mercedes-Benz at 140: 10 Innovations, From ABS to MB.OS, That Shaped Modern Driving

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent on his “vehicle with gas engine.” That document, patent DRP 37435, is widely regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile, and it now sits in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. In 2026, Mercedes-Benz marks 140 years since that day.

Much of what drivers take for granted traces back to the same company. Steering geometry, crumple zones, anti-lock brakes and airbags all have a chapter in the Mercedes-Benz story. Here are 10 innovations, in the order they arrived, that helped shape the way we drive, along with a look at where they show up in the current lineup.

1. The Patent Motor Car (1886)

Carl Benz designed his motor car from the ground up as one complete system. Its combustion engine produced 0.75 hp, and it was the first vehicle to pair an engine with a lightweight, purpose-built chassis. Around the same time, Gottlieb Daimler fitted the high-speed engine he developed with Wilhelm Maybach to a carriage, creating the first four-wheeled automobile.

That drive to be first never faded. Mercedes-Benz Intellectual Property now holds more than 60,000 patents, trademarks, designs and domains.

2. Axle Pivot Steering (1893)

Early four-wheeled vehicles borrowed turntable steering from horse-drawn carriages, and it could turn unstable in sharp corners. That is one reason Benz started with three wheels. In 1893, the Benz Victoria solved the problem with axle pivot steering, patented on February 28 of that year. Its basic principle still guides steering systems more than 130 years later.

3. The Honeycomb Radiator (1900)

Wilhelm Maybach’s Mercedes 35 hp broke away from carriage design with a powerful, efficient engine, a wide track, a long wheelbase and a low centre of gravity. A key piece was the honeycomb radiator, patented in September 1900. It helped the car dominate the 1901 Nice Racing Week, and it became the basis for the radiator grille shape that still identifies a Mercedes-Benz. The 35 hp was also the first car to carry the Mercedes name.

4. The Safety Body (1959)

Engineer Béla Barényi patented a three-part body in 1951: deformable zones at the front and rear, with a rigid passenger cell in the middle. Crash energy gets absorbed in a controlled way while occupants stay inside the strongest part of the car. The safety body debuted in the 111 series “Fintail” sedans in 1959, the same year Mercedes-Benz began systematic crash testing. It remains the foundation of passive vehicle safety.

5. Anti-Lock Braking System (1978)

The first digital, electronically controlled anti-lock braking system made its world premiere in the S-Class of the 116 series. Developed together with Bosch, ABS keeps the wheels from locking during emergency braking, so the driver can still steer around an obstacle. Later systems build on it, including Brake Assist in 1996, which provides full braking force in critical moments even with light pedal pressure.

6. The Driver Airbag (1981)

The driver airbag celebrated its world premiere in a production vehicle in the 126 series S-Class, paired with a seat belt tensioner for the front passenger. Mercedes-Benz had filed the patent a decade earlier, in 1971. A front passenger airbag followed in 1988, and airbags in different positions around the cabin grew into a complete protection system.

7. Electronic Stability Program (1995)

ESP premiered in February 1995 in the S-Class 140 series, as standard equipment on the S 600 Coupé. The system can prevent skidding in critical situations and help drivers avoid accidents. In November 1997, Mercedes-Benz made ESP standard on the compact A-Class. A few years later, it was standard in most cars from all manufacturers.

8. PRE-SAFE (2002)

PRE-SAFE prepares the car for an impending collision within seconds. Sensors detect critical driving situations, and the system triggers reversible protective measures that can help reduce the severity of an accident. It made its debut in the S-Class 220 series. PRE-SAFE, PRE-SAFE Sound and PRE-SAFE PLUS are standard on the all-new Electric GLC SUV.

9. Conditionally Automated Driving (2021)

In December 2021, Mercedes-Benz became the first car manufacturer in the world to receive international system approval for conditionally automated driving at SAE Level 3. The brand had already offered Level 2 driver assistance for years, with systems that help with speed and distance control, steering, lane changes and parking.

10. MB.OS (2025)

MB.OS brings infotainment, driver assistance, drive control and cloud services together on one software and hardware platform. Drivers get a consistent experience across models, and the car keeps improving through over-the-air updates. The CLA was the first model to use it, and the European Car of the Year jury named the new CLA its Car of the Year 2026. MB.OS also runs the all-new Electric GLC.

Where the Next Chapter Starts

The innovation pipeline did not stop at MB.OS. Recent Mercedes-Benz technology programs point to what comes next:

• VISION EQXX: In 2022, this technology car drove 1,202 km from Stuttgart to Silverstone on a single battery charge. Key technologies from the project are now in series production in the electric CLA.
• CONCEPT AMG GT XX: In August 2025, it covered 5,479 km in 24 hours at Italy’s Nardò high-speed circuit, a world record for vehicles with electric motors.
• New S-Class: Mercedes-Benz is accelerating development of Level 4 robotaxis based on the new S-Class, with the support of partners.

At a Glance: 10 Mercedes-Benz Innovations

Learn More at Mercedes-Benz Rive-Sud

Curious how 140 years of ideas come together in a modern Mercedes-Benz? Drop by and visit our team at Mercedes-Benz Rive-Sud in Longueuil. We will gladly walk you through the safety and technology features that matter most to you and help you explore the lineup at your own pace.