Mercedes-Benz Marks 140 Years at ModaMiami 2026

Mercedes-Benz presents historic and modern models at ModaMiami 2026, marking 140 years since the 1886 patent. Discover key exhibits and milestones.

At the end of February 2026, Florida will once again become a meeting point for collectors and enthusiasts of automotive history as ModaMiami returns to the grounds of the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables. For Mercedes-Benz, the event carries special meaning: the brand marks 140 years since Carl Benz filed patent DRP 37435 on January 29, 1886, a document widely regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile and now listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

The central symbol of this anniversary is the Benz Patent-Motorwagen of 1886. The three-wheeled vehicle, powered by a single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a displacement of 954 cc and an output of 0.75 hp at 400 rpm, could reach around 16 km/h. By modern standards its performance appears modest, yet it marked the beginning of individual motorized mobility. At ModaMiami, the car will not remain a static exhibit: demonstration runs are planned around the show grounds, and it will also take part in the “Moda Classic” drive.

The historical narrative continues with a rare “American Mercedes” from 1905, drawn from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection. Its presence recalls the brand’s early chapter in the United States. As early as 1888, the Daimler Motor Company was established in Long Island City, Queens, with the involvement of William Steinway, later becoming the Daimler Manufacturing Company. Vehicles built there corresponded to contemporary European models, including the Mercedes Simplex 40/45 PS. After ModaMiami, the 1905 car is scheduled for preparation ahead of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious concours events, where dedicated classes highlight early American sporting automobiles.

Mercedes-Benz’s sporting DNA is further illustrated by the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II of 1990, developed as a homologation model for DTM competition. Contemporary sources indicate a production run of either 500 or 502 road-going examples. Its pronounced aerodynamic bodywork became a defining feature of the model and a visual symbol of early-1990s touring car racing.

The rally successes of the 1960s form another chapter of the story. In 1962, Swedish driver Ewy Rosqvist, together with co-driver Ursula Wirth, won the Gran Premio Argentina at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W111). Covering 4,626 kilometers, the duo secured overall victory and set a record average speed, underscoring the brand’s competitive credentials in long-distance events.

The link between past and present is especially visible in the Mercedes-AMG ONE. Equipped with a hybrid powertrain derived from Formula 1 technology, combining a 1.6-litre V6 engine and four electric motors, it delivers a total output of 782 kW (1,063 hp). The model has already written its own chapter in history by setting a production-car lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, first with 6:35.183 and later improving to 6:29.090 on the 20.832-kilometre configuration.

Complementing the exhibition is the MANUFAKTUR personalisation programme. Mercedes-Benz’s tradition of individual craftsmanship dates back to the bespoke bodywork era of the 1930s, while the first designo consulting centre opened in Sindelfingen on November 10, 1995. The concept continues to evolve, with the opening of a dedicated MANUFAKTUR Studio in Sindelfingen in December 2024, reflecting the brand’s ongoing focus on expanded customisation.

Since its debut in 2024, ModaMiami has rapidly established itself as a high-calibre automotive and lifestyle gathering. The 2026 programme includes driving events, exhibition days and the presentation of the Moda Awards. For Mercedes-Benz, participation becomes more than a display of vehicles from different eras—it is a cohesive narrative of 140 years of development, tracing the journey from 0.75 horsepower to hybrid output exceeding one thousand.