In 2026 the world-wide automobile community reaches a milestone: 140 years since the first petrol-driven car roamed the streets. To mark the occasion, Mercedes-Benz has chosen the Auto e Moto d’Epoca fair in Bologna as its showcase stage. The exhibition runs from 22 to 25 October at BolognaFiere and the German marque will present two flagship sedans that epitomise opposite ends of its engineering spectrum.
Visitors will encounter a juxtaposition of elegance and aggression. On one side stands the 300 D “Adenauer” a post-war limousine that defined 1950s prestige. Opposite it, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II—a limited-run, race-derived machine that turned the ordinary family car into a competitive weapon for the DTM series. Together they narrate more than seven decades of design, technology, and brand identity.
Mercedes’s tribute at Auto e Moto d’Epoca
The Bologna fair, known for gathering classic-car enthusiasts, will host a dedicated Mercedes pavilion that blends historical storytelling with tactile experience. The event’s schedule allocates ample time for hands-on inspection, allowing collectors and casual fans alike to sit behind the steering wheels, examine the period-accurate interiors, and hear anecdotes from former engineers. By situating the two cars in the same space, the brand underscores a continuity: the same pursuit of refinement that guided the creation of a driver-focused limousine also fuels the ambition to dominate touring-car circuits.
The 300 D “Adenauer” – a symbol of 1950s luxury
First unveiled in 1951, the original Mercedes-Benz 300 (internal code W186) quickly earned a reputation as the most sophisticated sedan of its generation. Its most famous owner, Konrad Adenauer, West Germany’s inaugural chancellor, gave the model its enduring nickname. Distinctive design touches—such as the gear-shift lever mounted on the steering column—freed up cabin space, while hand-stitched leather, polished wood, and high-gloss metal accents conveyed an uncompromising sense of luxury. In 1957 the line evolved into the 300 D (W189), incorporating a mechanical fuel-injection system that improved performance and efficiency. Production continued until 1962, and the platform spawned exclusive coupé and cabriolet variants aimed at an even more discerning clientele.
190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II – the road-legal race car
Three decades later, Mercedes-Benz turned its attention to motorsport. The 1990 release of the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II was a direct response to the requirements of the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). Only 502 units were built—a number just sufficient to satisfy the homologation rules that permit a road-legal version of a competition vehicle. Visually, the Evolution II is unmistakable: an adjustable aluminium rear wing, widened fenders, and a host of aerodynamic refinements lower the drag coefficient while adding downforce. Under the hood, a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre inline-four delivers 235 horsepower, granting the sedan an assertive character on both track and highway.
Technical highlights of the Evolution II
The Evolution II’s chassis was reinforced with thicker gauge steel, and the suspension geometry was retuned for higher cornering speeds. Its braking system received larger discs and four-pot calipers, a necessity for the intense deceleration demanded by DTM circuits. The car’s interior retained the everyday comforts of a standard 190 E, yet incorporated a race-style steering wheel, a quick-release seat belt, and a digital instrument cluster that displayed lap times. The model’s success was cemented in 1992 when driver Klaus Ludwig clinched the DTM championship behind the wheel of an Evolution II, turning the sedan into a coveted young-timer among collectors.
By presenting these two vehicles side by side, Mercedes-Benz offers a living lesson in how a brand can evolve without abandoning its core principles. The 300 D demonstrates how post-war engineering prioritized comfort, craftsmanship, and understated power, while the 190 E Evolution II shows the same commitment translated into aerodynamic efficiency, lightweight construction, and race-grade performance. The Bologna exhibition thus becomes more than a showcase; it is an invitation to explore the interplay between heritage and innovation that has defined Mercedes for 140 years.
