The Mercedes-Benz Museum is taking visitors on a nostalgic journey through the 1990s and 2000s with its vibrant new special exhibition, Youngtimer. Running from 11 April to 2 November 2025, the exhibition brings together emotion, innovation, and automotive culture—highlighting vehicles that shaped a generation and are now emerging as modern classics.
Located in Collection Room 5, the exhibit features ten iconic Mercedes-Benz models from the era, presented in immersive thematic “islands” that tell the stories of their time with creativity and colour.
Thematic Highlights:
- Easy Life: A tribute to the spirit of the ’90s, showcasing the SLK (R170) and CLK Cabriolet (A208)—two defining models from the Mercedes-Benz product offensive.
- Supersonic: Celebrating performance and innovation with the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (W201), E 500 Limited (W124), and SLR McLaren Roadster (R199).
- Subculture: The bold E 60 AMG (W210) takes centre stage in a showcase of individuality and power.
- Refinement: The luxurious CL 600 (C215) and stylish CLS 350 CGI (C219) represent timeless elegance and sporty sophistication.
- Space: Looking ahead with visionaries like the SL 500 (R129) and Vision R 320 CDI (W251), exploring groundbreaking design and future-forward technology.
Beyond the Main Exhibit: Bonus Displays
In the museum’s multistorey car park, five additional young classics are on display in oversized “model car packaging,” offering a fun, collectible-inspired presentation:
- A 160 “Häkkinen” (W168) – a rare edition featuring Mika Häkkinen’s name and signature
- CL 500 (W140)
- ML 500 (W163)
- Vision CLK 320 CDI (C209)
- C 55 AMG (W203)
Additionally, on the Classic Island between Levels 0 and 1, visitors can see the A-Class HyPer concept car (W168), on display until at least mid-June 2025.
More Than a Display – It’s an Experience
The Youngtimer exhibition isn’t just about cars—it’s about bringing the era to life. Visitors can engage with several AI-powered interactive stations, including:
- A retro-style arcade racing game reminiscent of ’90s video arcades
- A music clip creation station to produce your own soundtrack
- A “Face Swap” tool, allowing guests to insert themselves into classic imagery
- A dream car configurator at the “Refinement” station to envision their ideal young classic
Each vehicle in the exhibit has a story to tell—like the CL 600, the star of the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, or visionary concept models like the Vision CLK 320 CDI Cabriolet and CLS 350 CGI, which introduced pioneering drive technologies of their time.
Whether you’re reliving your youth or discovering the icons that defined an era, the Youngtimer exhibition invites you to explore a colourful, nostalgic chapter of Mercedes-Benz history—one that still turns heads today.
