Best Sports Cars ever MADE
From terrain-traversing SUVs to ‘Bahn-burning sedans and coupes, there are few types of cars that Mercedes has yet to master in some form.
(Mercedes-Benz/Wieck)NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Mercedes-Benz likes to claim that they invented the automobile all the way back in 1886, and while that claim has been heavily disputed, there’s no arguing they’ve made some of the most incredible machines in the automotive world since then.
From terrain-traversing SUVs to ‘Bahn-burning sedans and coupes, there are few types of cars that Mercedes has yet to master in some form.
With a new generation of three-pointed stars rolling out in recent years, we decided to take a look back at the brand’s history and pick the 10 best from the last 130 years. Unfortunately, no AMG models were included because, well, we figured that wouldn’t be a fair fight to the rest of the Benzes.
The Motorwagen had three wheels, a bench seat, and a crank used for steering, and the two-stroke piston engine went on to set the precedent for future early automobiles.
(Mercedes-Benz USA/Wieck)
How could we possibly disclude “the first automobile” from the list? In 1886, German engine designer and moustache aficionado Karl Benz was awarded German patent number 37435 for the first vehicle designed to be propelled by an internal combustion engine. It had three wheels, a bench seat, and a crank used for steering, and the two-stroke piston engine went on to set the precedent for future early automobiles. Only 25 were made over the course of 8 years, and each one cost $1, 000, equivalent to about $27, 000 in this day and age. It’s no S-Class, but cars may not be the same as we know now without it.
With the first CLS-Class in 2004, Mercedes-Benz proved that sedans could be sleek and sexy.
(Mercedes-Benz)This one may be a bit of a head-scratcher, but allow me to elaborate. With the first CLS-Class in 2004, Mercedes-Benz proved that sedans could be sleek and sexy, and now almost every luxury automaker is scrambling to turn all their 4-doors into “coupes.” As a result, thousands of buyers are sacrificing a little bit of rear headroom for a whole lot of curb appeal. The design treatment has even carried over to SUVs, which Mercedes has finally adopted as well with the GLE-Class and GLC-Class coupes – but I’ll spare you my feelings on that particular trend.
The 230 SL, pictured here, eventually evolved into the 280 SL, which remains one of the best-looking and timeless roadsters of all time.
(Mercedes-Benz)
