1. The Mercedes-Benz Museum: A heritage for the future

2. Timescale: Key dates

3. Facts & figures: Key details of the Mercedes-Benz Museum

4. Architecture: A design masterpiece

5. Exhibits: Innovative concept for an impressive heritage

6. Materials: Man-made leather and parquet for orientation

7. Technology: From lighting to the audio guide

8. A family museum: Perfect for children and young people

9. Stuttgart & surroundings: Art and cuisine highly recommended

10. Travel directions: The quickest way to Untertürkheim

Materials: Man-made leather and parquet for orientation


In seven "Legend rooms" the visitor takes a time journey from 1886 to the present, and each area reflects a particular era with its associated automotive icons. The aim is to make visitors feel like they are moving through time, and the vehicles are the most important aids to orientation. The visitors are caught up in their aura. Something more is required to whisk them away to another age, however. In addition to accompanying historical information and supporting objects associated with the automobile, the most important "time machines" are shapes, colours and materials.

For example, the elegant supercharged cars of the 1930s and two early diesel vehicles are positioned on rigid pedestals in front of a metal curtain through which aircraft engines from the 1st and 2nd World Wars can be glimpsed. The World Wars and their technical developments provide the background to this era of "elegance at the abyss".

The choice of materials is a second factor which guides the perceptions of visitors. Carefully chosen wall linings on the ramps to the Legend rooms set the scene for the relevant display: "The lining of brass sheets is a reference to the mechanical age", HG Merz says about the ramp from the first to the second Legend room. Wood panelling provides the background for the presentation devoted to the 1930s, silver-coloured man-made leather illustrates the 1950s and airbag material the Legend room dedicated to Safety and Ecology. These different materials not only refer to contemporary topics, but also make it easier for visitors to find their way even before consciously consulting the Museum’s visitor guidance system. In contrast, the Collection rooms are floored with a bright, smooth material which emphasises the open nature of these areas.

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