Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Bhutan Drive Reveals True Meaning of Motoring Freedom
A grown-up recently drove a very fancy, super-comfortable car called the S-Class from India to Bhutan.
Bhutan is a small, peaceful country next to India.
As soon as they crossed the border, the noisy streets became very quiet.
In Bhutan, drivers almost never honk their horns because honking is seen as disturbing other people.
Everyone keeps to their own lane and lets people walk across the road safely.
The capital city, Thimphu, doesn't have a single traffic light - police officers use hand signals to guide cars.
The drive happened because 2026 is the 140th birthday of the car, invented by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1886.
Mercedes-Benz sent three S-Class cars to 140 special places around the world to celebrate.
The story says real freedom on the road isn't about speeding or honking, but about being calm, respectful, and kind to other people.
A Mercedes-Benz '140 Years 140 Places' drive from India's Jaigaon into Bhutan showcased near-total silence, with virtually no honking.
Thimphu is one of the only capital cities in the world without a single traffic light; traffic police direct cars during peak hours.
2026 marks 140 years since Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler separately patented the motorcar in 1886.
Mercedes-Benz sent three S-Class cars named 'Gottlieb', 'Carl', and 'Bertha' to 140 iconic locations globally for the anniversary tour.
The plug-in hybrid S-Class, recently launched in India at Rs 2.2-2.38 crore, was driven to the 3,100-metre Dochula Pass flanked by 108 memorial stupas.
- Who
- A driver touring with Mercedes-Benz's '140 Years 140 Places' global fleet, piloting the S-Class car named 'Gottlieb' from India into Bhutan.
- What
- A drive celebrating 140 years of the automobile that highlighted Bhutan's honk-free, orderly driving culture as the true meaning of motoring freedom.
- When
- On Independence Day in 2026, the year marking 140 years since the motorcar was patented in 1886.
- Where
- From Jaigaon, India, into Phuentsholing and Thimphu, Bhutan, and onward to Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres.
- Why
- To mark Mercedes-Benz's 140-year heritage and reflect that true freedom on the road comes from order, courtesy, and calm rather than lawlessness.
- Car
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in hybrid, named 'Gottlieb'
- India launch price
- Rs 2.2-2.38 crore (ex-showroom)
- Celebration
- 140 years of the automobile (1886-2026)
- Global tour
- '140 Years 140 Places' - three S-Class cars to 140 iconic locations
- Traffic lights in Thimphu
- None - traffic police direct flow at peak hours
- Dochula Pass
- 3,100 metres, flanked by 108 memorial stupas
- Route
- Jaigaon (India) to Phuentsholing and Thimphu (Bhutan)
- Notable landmark
- Buddha Dordenma statue, one of the world's tallest