The German automakers might be in competition on the racetrack and the sales floor, but when it comes to celebrations and milestones, they’re a lot more friendly. It’s hard to believe, but Mercedes-Benz is now 140 years old. With the launch of the refreshed S-Class, both Porsche and BMW had some nice things to say to mark the occasion.
Turns Out BMW Can Be Funny
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Props to BMW, because its Instagram post is hilarious. It’s a classic photo of Carl Benz, the person widely considered to be the inventor of the modern car. It’s his Patent-Motorwagen that received said patent in 1886, and is being celebrated as the birth of the company and of the car.
“Luckily Carl Benz invented the automobile,” it reads. The punchline is predictable, but the image sells it: “So we could invent driving pleasure.” We might forgive BMW’s use of AI for the image, but it’s hard to imagine a more pleasurable drive than Bertha Benz’s first-ever road trip.
Porsche, on the other hand, tugs at the heart strings. It shows the things that the two automakers have had in common over the years, starting with an image of Porsche founder Ferdinand standing beside the first German car to win the legendary Targa Florio. The car was a Mercedes, and Porsche received an honorary doctorate for its design and success.
We’re surprised to see Porsche showing some of the low-lights, not just the highs. Like the Mercedes-Benz SLR prototype that took flight on multiple occasions at Le Mans in 1999, alongside the Porsche 911 GT1 that made a similarly spectacular flight at Road Atlanta in 1998.
BMW Makes Hilarious Video To Roast Mercedes
Unsurprisingly, Mercedes was quick to respond.
They’ve even shared some of the same drivers. Like Hans Hermann, who ran the Mille Miglia in 1954 for Porsche and entered the following year for Mercedes. No loyalty back then? More like hotly-pursued driving talent.
Porsche Shares Its Mercedes-Benz Memories
And, of course, Porsche shows one of the vehicles they have most in common, and it happens to be a Mercedes-Benz legend: the 1991 E 500, a Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan fitted with a 5.0-liter V8 from the 500 SL. Porsche did the engineering on the chassis and suspension to make it all work, and even had to build the production cars for Benz because of its wide fenders to cover the big tires and brakes
That car had 322 horsepower at a time when the next-most powerful E-Class made 220. A Porsche 911 Turbo of the same year only managed 316. Then Porsche sums up the relationship well. “Most importantly, we share the same belief. That cars are there to not only move your body, but also your heart.” Aww, who’s cutting up the onions in here?
As far as Audi, that rival didn’t have anything to say. Take that as you will.
Mercedes Celebrates 55 Years Of AMG With Special G-Wagen
It’s got unique AMG touches.
Meanwhile, Benz’s own post has a great look at some of the automaker’s most iconic vehicles. Showing the evolution of the brand over time, and making us long for some of those golden-era tanks it built in the latter half of the last century.
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Keeping in tune with the friendly vibe, happy birthday, Mercedes, from everyone here at CarBuzz.
