2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retraces NZ's motoring history on 3800km anniversary tour

Mercedes-Benz has completed the New Zealand leg of its global 140YEARS 140PLACES celebration, taking a next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class on a 3800km journey across both islands to honour 140 years since the invention of the automobile.

The local tour formed part of a worldwide campaign marking the 140th anniversary of Carl Benz filing the patent for what is widely recognised as the world's first automobile.

Three S-Class sedans are travelling the globe as part of the initiative, each named after a key figure in Mercedes-Benz history. New Zealand hosted the white S-Class 'Gottlieb', named after Gottlieb Daimler, while Australia welcomed cars named Carl and Bertha.

The journey began in Auckland with a launch event celebrating New Zealand's own motoring history, paying tribute to the arrival of the country's first motor vehicles in 1898 – a Benz Petrolette and Benz Lightning.

Veteran broadcaster Mike McRoberts unveiled the new S-Class from a period-inspired shipping container before it embarked on its nationwide tour.

From there, the luxury sedan headed to Ardmore, where Mercedes-Benz owners gathered at the Warbirds Association Hangar to showcase models spanning almost every generation of the S-Class.

In a nod to the brand's enthusiast community, local owner Lloyd Marx was invited to apply one of the commemorative journey stickers to the new S-Class. The sticker featured an image of his own 1963 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W111).

Like every stop on the global tour, each major New Zealand destination received its own bespoke sticker, creating a visual record of the journey.

The route then wound through Taupō and Hawke's Bay before making an unscheduled stop at the site of New Zealand's famously lengthy place name.

One of the tour's most symbolic moments came at the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, where the new S-Class was displayed alongside the museum's 1895 Benz Velo.

The Benz Velo is the oldest surviving motor vehicle in New Zealand and was imported by Christchurch businessman Nicholas Oates in 1900.

After crossing Cook Strait aboard the Bluebridge ferry, the tour continued south via Kaikōura, including a stop at the iconic Nin's Bin seafood caravan.

Lake Tekapo then provided the backdrop for night photography showcasing the S-Class' DIGITAL LIGHT headlight technology beneath the skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

The final major gathering took place at Ayrburn Estate and Highlands Motorsport Park, where privately owned classic Mercedes-Benz models joined the new S-Class and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 on track.

Mercedes-Benz says the New Zealand chapter covered approximately 3800km, generated more than 10,000 photos and videos, and celebrated the people and places that have shaped the brand's local history.

The new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class is due to make its local launch later this year.