mercedes-benz showcases evolution of automotive design during monterey car week 2024

an automotive legacy on display in monterey

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, among the world’s most prestigious annual automotive events, has returned for its 73rd year as the highlight of Monterey Car Week 2024. The most dedicated car-lovers have journeyed from across the world to California’s coastal Pebble Beach Golf Links to admire lovingly preserved historic vehicles, the best hypercars, and the most eccentric concepts. This year designboom traveled to Monterey with Mercedes-Benz which, beyond its presence at the Concours, hosted a lineup of events and experiences — perhaps the most notable of which was the debut of its Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series.

This year the brand is celebrating its 130-year motorsport heritage. During Monterey Car Week 2024, this legacy was on full display at its Star Lounge at Pebble Beach, a curated space which introduced a temporary museum to Monterey. From a 1952 Mercedes-Benz W 194 (300 SL), to a 1998 CLK GTR, a supercar designed for racing and adapted for street use, the pavilion was a lesson on the history of car design through a Mercedes-Benz lens. Even its didactic title, 130 Years of Motorsport, is a reference to the first automotive competition. The team explains that this race led from Paris to Rouen on July 22nd, 1894 and ‘ended with a victory for vehicles with Daimler licensed engines.’

Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, image © designboom

a pacific coast road trip with mercedes-benz

For Mercedes-Benz, the focus extends beyond spotlighting its sculptural vehicles like archival museum pieces. The brand places equal emphasis on the diversity of driving experiences offered across its extensive lineup — a small bit of which designboom experienced first-hand during a weekend of summery driving tours with the team. Taking advantage of the postcard Pacific landscapes which outline Monterey, we embarked on a journey that highlighted both historical and contemporary icons of automotive engineering.

We set out first in a current-generation Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which focuses on opulence and cutting-edge technology, followed by a timeless 1971 280 SL, a nostalgic, half-century year-old convertible that demonstrates the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship. When experienced together, the two vehicles capture the duality of Mercedes, with its respect for the past and its focus on driving toward the future.

Star Lounge install view, Mercedes-Benz W 154 (1939) formula racing car (left), Formula One racing car from the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team (right), image © designboom

modern opulence: the mercedes-maybach

It’s immediately clear upon entering the S-Class that the team at Mercedes-Maybach prides itself on luxury, comfort, and an extensive integration of technology. Those yet unfamiliar with such opulent vehicles might prefer the passenger seat for this one. Lavish materials, like napa leather and wood trim, finish massaging seats and a dashboard fit with an array of touchscreen displays. It’s an advanced air suspension system that elevates the driving experience for the Maybach — this means that the car is silky-smooth as it absorbs the road’s imperfections, though suspension, steering, and engine response can be customized to suit whomever is behind the wheel. Even with its powerful acceleration and torque, its silent interiors feel meditative.

Star Lounge install view, 1994 Penske PC-23, image © designboom

historic preservation for a classic experience

In stark contrast to the Maybach was the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, which is as raw and engaging as the former is smooth and quiet. While the Maybach includes contemporary driver assistance systems, the tiny convertible is from an entirely different era and demanded our attention. Because the steering lacks the power assistance of today’s vehicles, it had a noticeably more connected feel to the road. Driving the 280 SL felt more unfiltered, and feeling the vibrations and nuances of the road might be a welcome contrast for sportier drivers over the Maybach’s ultra-luxe smoothness. It was a nostalgic drive with its tactile knobs and buttons along with a floor-mounted gearshift — all thanks to the Mercedes-Benz team who carefully ensured its preservation.

Star Lounge install view, 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, image © designboom

mercedes-maybach monogram SL series debuts

In time for Monterey Car Week, Mercedes-Maybach unveiled its SL Monogram Series, a two-seater convertible distinguished by its opulent patterning and two-toned colorways. While many Maybach drivers have traditional preferences, others are more keen to showcase their wealth. With this in mind, Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener notes that he drew inspiration from luxury logo-clad handbags. He explained that he aimed to achieve a similar effect by offering the Monogram Series with an optional hand-painted logo pattern across the hood and rear. This is complemented by a chrome-finished grille and Mercedes star, accentuating its Maybach status for those who might not have noticed.

Star Lounge install view, 1952 Mercedes-Benz W 194 (300 SL), image © designboom

At the Concours d’Elegance itself, Mercedes-Benz highlighted three vehicles — a 1924 Targa Florio racing car, a 1970 C 111-II (an experimental wedge-car which caused a stir upon its 1969 debut with its rotary engine), and a 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ (2024).