Karl Benz's cars remained three-wheelers until the early nineties—the 1890s, that is. The design of an operational axle double-pivot steering paved the way for four-wheeled cars such as the 1893 Benz "Victoria" With 20 liters of gasoline and 160 liters of water, the Victoria had a range of 100 km.

The 1894 Benz Velo was the first production motor vehicle. 1200 units were sold for 2000 goldmarks each.

The 1902 Benz spider had a front-mount engine, tilt steering column, and pneumatic tires with two spares. Its two-cylinder 2945 cc engine output 15 hp.

The famous 1902 Mercedes Simplex (named for its simplicity of operation) was developed by chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach.  The first Mercedes had a low center of gravity and could travel up to 75 km/h.  It had a 5319 cc engine generating 40 hp at 1050 rpm.  Low-pressure tires were fitted on the wooden wheels.

This Mercedes Simplex Touring Coach was owned by Emil Jellinek (father of Mercedes Jellinek, after whom the company was eventually named).  He requested a tilt steering column, honeycomb radiator and double tires.  The Austrio-Hungary consul-general ordered 36 cars over a one-year period for 550,000 gold marks, then equivalent to 30 million USD.

The 1910 Mercedes Type 22/40 ps Tourenwagen was the first to feature the three-pointed star, and among the first to have electric lights.

The beginning of larger models for the company: the 1923 Mercedes Type 10/40/65 ps Sportwagen developed 40 hp, or 65 hp with supercharger, up to 110 km/h top speed.

The gorgeous red 500K Spezial-roadster.  25 of these cars with then unsurpassed sporting elegance were built.  Its 5019 cc engine pumped out 160 hp, for a 160 km/h top speed.