Mercedes-Benz 35 hp
The dawn of the modern automobile and the birth of the Mercedes name.
- Power
- 35 bhp
- Top speed
- 47 mph
- Est. value
- $2.5m–$5m
About the Mercedes-Benz 35 hp
Designed by Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler for Emil Jellinek, the 35 hp is widely considered the first modern car. It broke away from the 'horseless carriage' archetype by featuring a low-slung pressed-steel chassis, a front-mounted engine, and a honeycomb radiator. Its dominance at the 1901 Nice Week races prompted the famous declaration that the world had entered the 'Mercedes era'. This model established the blueprint for automotive design that persists to this day, combining high performance with a low centre of gravity for unprecedented stability.
Mercedes-Benz 35 hp specs
The Mercedes-Benz 35 hp produces 35 bhp (26 kW) and 77 Nm (57 lb-ft) of torque. It has a top speed of 47 mph (75 km/h).
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Model | 35 hp |
| Trim | Touring |
| Years | 1900–1902 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Phaeton |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | About 36 built |
| Engine | 5.9-litre inline-four |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 5,913 cc (5.9 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 35 bhp (26 kW) at 950 rpm |
| Torque | 77 Nm (57 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 1,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 47 mph (75 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 29 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Mercedes-Benz 35 hp worth?
A typical Mercedes-Benz 35 hp is estimated to be worth $2,500,000 – $5,000,000 (about £1,860,000 – £3,730,000).
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Mercedes-Benz 35 hp rarity in CarSpot
The Mercedes-Benz 35 hp is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Mercedes-Benz 35 hp fun facts
- The car was named after Mercédès Jellinek, the daughter of the Austrian businessman who commissioned and distributed the model.
- It featured the world's first honeycomb radiator, a Maybach invention that allowed for much more efficient engine cooling.
- The 35 hp was the first vehicle to use a gate-shift manual transmission, replacing the cumbersome systems of earlier motor carriages.
