Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the 140th anniversary of the automobile with a new temporary exhibition in downtown Toronto, bringing together a replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen and the new 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Running through October 2026, the “140 Years of Innovation” experience is located at Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto inside the Holt Renfrew flagship at 50 Bloor Street West. The installation traces the company’s history from Carl Benz’s pioneering three-wheeled automobile to the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship luxury sedan.
Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto itself is relatively new. Opened in June 2026, the space is conceived less as a conventional dealership than a rotating brand and cultural venue within one of Canada’s best-known luxury department stores.
FROM THE PATENT-MOTORWAGEN TO THE S-CLASS
The historical centerpiece is a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, representing the vehicle patented by Carl Benz in 1886 and widely regarded as the first practical automobile powered by an internal-combustion engine.
Surrounding displays use archival photography and gallery-style storytelling to follow Mercedes-Benz development over the subsequent 140 years. A virtual-reality experience provides another way to explore the company’s history.
At the opposite end of that timeline is the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which makes its Canadian debut as part of the Toronto installation. Visitors can sit inside the car and explore its materials, design and technology, effectively placing the latest S-Class alongside the Patent-Motorwagen as bookends to the exhibition.
The presentation is part of Mercedes-Benz’s wider “140 Years of Innovation” anniversary program taking place throughout 2026. Among those activities is a global journey involving three new S-Class sedans traveling to 140 locations around the world through October.
MANUFAKTUR AND THE G-CLASS
The Studio also explores the more contemporary craft and personalization side of Mercedes-Benz through its MANUFAKTUR program.
A dedicated Atelier presents leather, steering wheels, pillows and other material samples, while a floor-to-ceiling display shows available exterior colors and interior upholstery. A G-Class serves as the centerpiece for demonstrating the extent of factory personalization available through the program.
There’s also a live embroidery station, adding an interactive element to the otherwise gallery-style presentation.
AN ITALIAN CONNECTION
Coinciding with Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary is another milestone. Italian clothing company Paul & Shark is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 and has joined the Toronto Studio for its latest iteration.
Founded in Varese in 1976, Paul & Shark has brought a selection of its Fall/Winter 2026 menswear collection to the space, including pieces carrying a special label developed with Mercedes-Benz and Holt Renfrew.
The collaboration extends beyond clothing. Holts Café is offering an Italian-inspired menu tied to Paul & Shark, while the Studio incorporates the fashion company’s “Sense of Journey” theme into the broader experience.
For automotive travelers, though, the most compelling reason to visit is the unusual juxtaposition of Mercedes-Benz’s beginning and present day. Few temporary displays place the Patent-Motorwagen and the newest S-Class within the same retail environment, allowing visitors to consider just how dramatically the automobile has evolved over 140 years.
The Mercedes-Benz “140 Years of Innovation” experience runs through October 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto inside Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Exhibition: Mercedes-Benz “140 Years of Innovation”
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto at Holt Renfrew
Address: 50 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dates: September–October 2026
Highlights: Benz Patent-Motorwagen replica, 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Canadian debut, Mercedes-Benz heritage displays and virtual-reality experience
Additional Displays: MANUFAKTUR Atelier and G-Class personalization display
Fashion Collaboration: Paul & Shark 50th Anniversary / Fall-Winter 2026 Collection
Dining: Italian-inspired menu at Holts Café
Opened: Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto opened in June 2026
Official Information: Mercedes-Benz Studio Toronto
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