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BENZ LENS

Editorial

Hanjo Stier

GreetingsandSalutations,

I've just had a pinch-me moment. Sometimes I like to zoom out a bit and that’s when I realise that I'm living the dream life of a younger me.SurelyI'mnottheonlyonewho experiencessuchjoyfulmoments?

Eight year-old me would burst with pride if he found out that, about40yearslater,hewouldbein charge of editing a Mercedes-Benz newsletter. And in posession of my dream car, Onkel Claus’ red 350SE picturedabove.

I can also tell you with a high degree of conﬁdence that younger me would have a strong opinion of what should feature in said publication. Back then I would get irritated with "In aller Welt", the Mercedes magazine my folks received in their Klein Windhoek postbox, because it contained thin

polo jockeys and even thinner fashion designers; instead of beautifulcars

After decades in the motor and publishing industries, I can now appreciate that it was lifestyle branding,meanttoaligninterests.

And so, as I recover from a sharp pain on my left forearm, I promiseyouthattheBenzLenswill not contain eleven-page interviews with a Mauritanian glass blower, but showcase our Club's amazing cars and friendly people instead I also don't mind if a certain green C23 or familiar red CLK appear in every issue. If they were part of a great outing, they deserve to be proudlydepictedinournewsletter.

Chatting of which, some of the highlights you can ﬁnd in this ﬁrst edition of 2026 include celebrating 40 years of the brand, reports of the George Old Car Show and

President’s Braai, visits to amazing car collections, casual coﬀee runs andshowroominvasions,technical events (including part two of KZN’s M20 tear-down), a gold rush, plus 23-Series anniversary events, like the Eastern Cape EPVCC event or the Western Cape’s outing to LourensfordWineEstate.

New vehicles are also catered for,withareviewofthe GLECoupé and reports of the latest S-Class, plus Youngtimer snippets from the Museum: of the ﬁrst 500 E, breathtaking 90E Evo II, the original SLK andCL600launchvehicle.

Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to pinch myself again and ﬁnd more beautiful car photos to includeinthenextBenzLens.

Asalways,happyreading ■

from the President

Waldo Scribante

Continuing our journey beyond the memorable celebrations of our 40th Anniversary

As we continue our journey

beyond the memorable celebrations of our 40th Anniversary year, the spirit and passion thatdeﬁnetheMercedes-BenzClub of South Africa remain stronger than ever. What makes this club so special is not only the magniﬁcent vehicles we preserve and admire, but the friendships, stories, and sharedenthusiasmthatcontinueto uniteusacrossgenerations.

The year started in spectacular fashion as we joined the Southern Cape Old Car Club’s annual Vettoer inthebeautifulKarootownofPrince Albert. In true pioneer spirit, the legendary Benz Patent-Motorwagen once again took to the streets — remarkably, 40 years afterCarlBenzpatentedtheworld’s ﬁrst motorcar on 29 January 886,

forever changing the course of history.

It was a proud and emotional moment to see René Scribante at the helm of this extraordinary machine, symbolically leading a collection of veteran vehicles throughthestreetsofPrinceAlbert

This celebration formed part of the worldwide“40YearsofInnovation” festivities commemorated by Mercedes-Benz AG, and throughout the year our club has been privileged to play an increasingly active role in these historicevents.

The2026GeorgeOldCarShowonce again proved why it remains one of South Africa’s premier motoring events.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Motoring,” perfectly captured the essenceofwhatwewerecelebrating —honouringnotonlytheinvention oftheautomobileitself,butalsothe remarkable legacy that followed. One of the major highlights was the centenary celebration of the Benz and Mercedes amalgamation in 926,formingDaimler-BenzAG

To commemorate this milestone, visitors were treated to a truly spectacular display of pre-war Mercedes-Benz vehicles The magniﬁcent Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart of Pius Mokgokong and the breathtaking Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster of Herman Brandt drew constant crowds and admiration throughouttheweekend

Complementing these icons were thebeautifullypreservedBenzIdeal of the Crankhandle Club, the Benz 8/20PS Tourenwagen of René and myself, our Mercedes-Benz 30H, Mercedes-Benz Type 320, and Miklos Hegyi’s elegant MercedesBenz 70S. Together, these vehicles told the remarkable story of motoring evolution over more than acentury

We were equally proud to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the iconic 950s Mercedes-Benz 220 and Mercedes-Benz 300 models, alongside the everpopular 50th Anniversary of the legendary Mercedes-Benz W23. Thanks to the exceptional support from Kundendienst Club of South Africa in Bloemfontein, visitors could admiresomeoftheﬁnestexamples ofthesebelovedmodelsondisplay.

Another unforgettable moment came as we once again started the Benz Patent-Motorwagen at the GeorgeOldCarShow,thistimewith

Miles Bhana of Mercedes-Benz SouthAfricajoiningaspassenger— a symbolic reminder of how far automotive innovation has come since that historic patent was ﬁled 40yearsago.

Aheartfeltthankyoumustgotothe committees of the Southern Cape OldCarClubandtheGeorgeOldCar Show for once again presenting a world-class event. Our sincere appreciation also goes to MUA Insurance Acceptances (Pty) Ltd for generously sponsoring the raﬄe of apristine985Mercedes-Benz230E as well as supporting our annual President’s Braai, which once again provedtobeawonderfuleveningof camaraderieandcelebration

Looking ahead, we are excited for the 4st AGM & National Gathering, hosted this year by the Central Region in Upington. Having had the opportunity to assist behind the scenes, I can conﬁdently say this promisestobeatrulyunforgettable weekendandonenottobemissed.

Another privilege this year was attending the ﬁrst oﬃcial “40 Years of Innovation” celebration at the remarkable Mokopane Museum of Pius Mokgokong alongside Johan Krogh, held exactly 40 years after Carl Benz registered the patent for the Patent-Motorwagen Standing amongst such important motoring heritage on that historic date was a reminder of the extraordinary journey that began with one visionaryidea

Wealsoeagerlyanticipatethearrival of the “40 Years, 40 Places – An SClass Journey Around the World” initiative, which will visit Southern Africalaterthisyear Moredetailson this exciting adventure will follow soon.

As enthusiasts of Mercedes-Benz, we are not simply custodians of remarkable automobiles — we are custodians of innovation, history, andalegacythatcontinuestoshape the future of mobility. From the pioneering spirit of Carl Benz to the cutting-edge technology of today, the story of Mercedes-Benz has always been one of courage, vision, andrelentlessprogress.

May we continue to celebrate that spirit together for many years to come Here’s to 40 years of innovation, inspiration, and engineeringexcellence—andtothe excitingroadstillahead.

Enjoythejourney

And as always — The Best or Nothing!

Kindregards,

WaldoScribante President, Mercedes-Benz Club of SouthAfrica.■

FROM THE PRESIDENT

9th President's Braai

By Waldo Scribante

The 9th President's Braai once again proved why this special evening has become such a cherished tradition within the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa family.

Since René and I ﬁrst hosted the

sheep braai in 2006, what startedasasimplegatheringatthe showgroundshasgrownintooneof thehighlightsoftheGeorgeOldCar Show weekend. Since 202, the Scribs Benzeum has proudly been home to this wonderful Saturday evening tradition, bringing together members and friends in trueMercedes-Benzcamaraderie.

This year's braai was another memorable occasion ﬁlled with laughter, friendship, classic Benz stories, and the warm fellowship that makes our Club so unique. Fromthedeliciouslambonthespit and traditional pap en sous to the famous ice cream and chocolate sauce ﬁnale, the evening was enjoyedbyall.

A very special word of thanks goes to Vajra Singh and MUA Insurance Acceptances for their generoussponsorshipoftheevent, aswellasthewonderfulselectionof wine which added a special touch to the evening. Your continued support of our Club and the George Old Car Show is sincerely appreciated.

It was also a great honour to welcome our past Presidents Ettienne Geel, Graham van Heerden and Dirk van der Westhuizen to the braai. Their

presencealwaysmeansagreatdeal to us, and we are grateful for their continued friendship and support oftheClub.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my wife, René Scribante, chairperson of the Southern Cape region, for her tremendous eﬀort in creating such a special George Old Car Show display and for always standing beside me amongst our many friendsintheClubcommunity.

The 9th President's Braai was once again a celebration of friendship, passion, and the enduringspiritofthethree-pointed star—andwealreadylookforward tomanymorememorableevenings togetherintheyearsahead.■

NOTICE

OF THE 41ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

Notice of the 41st Annual General Meeting to be held in terms of section 16.2 of the Constitution at Upington, e Protea Hotel Northern Cape on Saturday, 13 June 2026 at 15h30, is hereby given.

KENNISGEWING

VAN DIE 41STE ALGEMENE JAARLIKSE

VERGADERING

VAN DIE MERCEDES-BENZ KLUB VAN SUIDAFRIKA

Kennisgewing van die 41ste Algemene Jaarvergadering wat ingevolge artikel 16.2 van die Grondwet te Upington, Die Protea Hotel Noord-Kaap op Saterdag, 13 Junie 2026 om 15:30 gehou sal word, word hiermee gegee.

Invitation

41st Anniversary AGM & National Gathering 2026

Dear Club member

On behalf of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa, it is my great pleasure to extend a formal invitation to you and your partner to attend our 41st Anniversary AGM & National Gathering 2026.

Place: Upington Northern Cape

Date: 12-15 June 2026

Waldo Scribante President Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa

41st AGM & NATIONAL GATHERING

Hosted by the Central Region. Upington 13 – 15 June 2026

PROGRAMME

Saturday, 13 June

12:00 – 15:00 Registration

15:30 – 16:30 Annual General Meeting

Alternative: ose magniﬁcent men and their Mercs: Is ADHD a prerequisite

Prof A Venter

18:00 – 22:00 Dinner + Cohen & Diamond Journey

Matthys Roets & Johan Liebenberg

Press Release

23 January 2026

Milestone in passive safety: 75 years ago Barényi patent for the safety

bodywork

• A patent is ﬁled for Béla Barényi’s safety bodywork on 23 January 1951

• Series premiere in 1959 in the “Fintail” saloons of the W 111

• The visionary principle with crumple zones and rigid passenger cell sets an industry standard

Deﬁned deformable crumple zones at the front and rear for absorbing kinetic energy in case of a collision, with a rigid passenger cell in between for the protection of the occupants: this revolutionary design principle celebrates its world premiere in 1959 in the Mercedes-Benz “Fintail” saloons of the 111 model series.

Practically all car manufacturers subsequently adopt this principle. On 23 January 1951, a patent is ﬁled for this visionary bodywork concept, which was developed by Mercedes-Benz engineer Béla Barényi (1907 to 1997). A pioneer of passive safety, Barényi consistently breaks with the previously prevailing approach of making the entire body as rigid as possible to protect occupants in a crash.

Instead, he divides the body into zones with different functions: the front and rear crumple zones serve to absorb and dissipate as much impact energy as possible by means of controlled deformation, while the particularly rigidly designed safety passenger cell in the centre of the vehicle provides passengers with a stable and safe interior

Barényi patent No. 854 157, “Motor vehicle, particularly for the conveyance of persons”, is granted on 30 October 1952.

It constitutes a cornerstone of passive automotive safety and not only shapes the development of the Mercedes-Benz W 111, but also signiﬁcantly inﬂuences the start of systematic crash testing at Daimler-Benz AG from 1959 onwards.

Press Release

29 January 2026

140 years ago: Invention of the automobile

by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler

• Early in 1886, Carl Benz invents the automobile – Gottlieb Daimler’s motorised carriage follows that same year

• The pursuit of innovation for progress and mobility is embedded in Mercedes-Benz DNA

• Innovations shape Mercedes-Benz automobiles, as well as society and mobility culture

On 29 January 1886, Carl Benz ﬁled for a patent for his three-wheeled motor car Patent DRP 37435 for the “vehicle with gas engine operation” is considered to be the birth certiﬁcate of the automobile and today is part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register It marks the beginning of modern individual mobility

Carl’s wife Bertha supports her husband from the very beginning; in 1888 she embarks on the world’s ﬁrst long-distance journey in an automobile. Almost simultaneously, in that same year, Gottlieb Daimler installs the high-speed internal combustion engine, which he developed together with Wilhelm Maybach, in a carriage, creating the ﬁrst four-wheeled automobile.

The spirit of innovation shaped by the two founding fathers has been deeply embedded in the DNA of Mercedes-Benz ever since. It deﬁnes the company’s and brand’s mindset with regard to new products: with pioneering spirit and the utmost in engineering excellence, Mercedes-Benz continuously shapes progress and mobility

New solutions are always developed with the aim of opening up extended opportunities in terms of comfort, safety, efﬁciency, performance and sportiness. Mercedes-Benz innovations shape not only the brand’s own products, but also the entire automotive industry as well as society and mobility culture.

Mercedes-Benz set three world records with the C 111-II D in Nardò from 12 to 15 June 1976.

Instead of its Wankel engine, the futuristic experimental C 111-II from the year 1970 uses an optimised version of the 3-litre ﬁve-cylinder diesel engine OM 617 LA with exhaust turbocharger and intercooler delivering 140 kW/190 hp. The solid aggregate proves itself in continuous operation under the most demanding conditions. The highlight: a world record over 10,000 miles at an average speed of 251.798 km/h.

Press Release

3 February 2026

40 years ago: ASR, ASD and 4MATIC presentation under harsh conditions in Finland

• Mercedes-Benz presents ASR, ASD and 4MATIC systems under real-world conditions

• Further development of active vehicle safety on the basis of ABS sensor technology

• Testing of new assistance systems by journalists from 3 to 8 February 1986

Snow, ice and below-zero temperatures provide for perfect conditions as Mercedes-Benz presents its new assistance systems in Finland from 3 to 8 February 1986.

Invited journalists are able to try out the automatic locking differential (ASD), acceleration skid control (ASR) and the automatically activated 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The basis for these innovative assistance systems is the digital anti-lock braking system (ABS), available since 1978 and developed jointly by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch. The new traction systems now also make use of its sensor signals.

ASD, ASR and 4MATIC are already shown at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in autumn 1985; this is followed by a presentation in Finland under harsh real-world conditions. Here’s how the new systems work: the automatic locking differential ASD limits compensating movement in the rear axle differential when a drive wheel spins, ensuring noticeably improved traction when the driver pulls away and accelerates on slippery surfaces.

Acceleration skid control ASR combines brake intervention at the spinning wheel with a reduction in engine torque via the electronic accelerator pedal. Thus, propulsion also remains easy to control in powerful eight-cylinder saloons; the vehicle accelerates in a stable and controlled manner even on ice. The newly developed 4MATIC all-wheel drive operates on the rear axle alone under normal conditions; if traction is lost, the electronics progressively engage the front axle drive and activate additional locking functions.

Press

Release 19 April 2026

75 years ago: A ﬁrework of new products from Mercedes-Benz at the ﬁrst IAA after the war

• 19 to 29 April 1951: IAA premiere in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

• Mercedes-Benz presents numerous innovations from passenger cars to coaches

• New Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder engines in an executive-class saloon and prestige vehicle

At the ﬁrst International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main, Mercedes-Benz delights both the general public and industry experts in April 1951 with the new passenger car types 220 (W 187) and 300 (W 186). They impress with their spaciousness, comfort and prestige. Further distinguishing features of the executive-class saloon and prestige vehicle are their new six-cylinder engines.

The 2.2-litre straight-six M 180 engine with overhead camshaft makes the Mercedes-Benz 220 the benchmark in its class in terms of performance and smoothness. The larger and more powerful M 186 in the later ﬂagship model, known as the “Adenauer Mercedes”, makes this the fastest production passenger car in Germany at the time. Both automobiles reﬂect the spirit of optimism of the era, with the beginning of the economic miracle on the horizon.

The new engine developments replace two pre-war designs: the four-cylinder M 136 and the six-cylinder M 159. With 59 kW (80 hp) at 5,300 rpm, the M 180 with overhead camshaft delivers performance ﬁgures more commonly associated with sports cars of those times. The 85 kW (115 hp) M 186 of the 300 type is structurally based to the M 159, but embarks on courses which are technically yet consistently new

Test reports praise the engine’s eagerness to rev and reﬁned running characteristics. With both engines, in the year 1951, Mercedes-Benz lays the foundation for many subsequent successful six-cylinder power units, including the engine of the sports car icon 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198).

Classic Online Parts Search

Mercedes-Benz Classic continually produces parts for classic car series, in order to ensure the long-term availability of a full range of such parts. The parts portfolio comprises around 160,000 genuine parts.

To render the availability of these genuine parts transparent to everyone, the Classic Online Parts Search has been established as a swift and simple means of presenting the availability of parts with their valid prices in Germany, promotion parts and newly produced parts in a clearly arranged manner. Once the user has found the part they’re looking for, it can be ordered from any authorised Mercedes-Benz service partner, as the Group‘s own sales and logistics network guarantees the swift supply of a comprehensive scope of parts worldwide.

Take a look for yourself:

www.mercedes-benz.com/classic-parts

140 Years of Innovation

By Johan Krogh

Mercedes-Benz. 140 years of innovation, 140 years of the automobile, 140 years of providing motoring pleasure. 140 years of the best or nothing.

It is only ﬁtting that our calendar

started oﬀ with the “40 Years of Innovation” celebrations hosted by Mercedes-Benz South Africa on 29 January 2026 at the Makotopong CarMuseuminPretoria.

Not only is the 29th of January of huge importance as being the datein886whenKarlBenzfiledthe patent for the widely recognised first automobile, affectionately known as the “Benz PatentMotorwagen”, but Pretoria has a similar relevance. The first Benz vehicle in South Africa was a .5 horsepowerBenzVelo,importedin late 896 by John Hess and demonstrated in Pretoria on the 4th January 897, with President PaulKrugerinattendance.

But Pretoria holds an even closerrelationshipandrelevanceto our club, especially the Northern Region,asthisisthecityinwhichour club was formally constituted and inaugurated 40 years ago, on the 23rdofNovember985.

STAR EVENT

Fast forward to 29 January 2026 when our club president Waldo Scribante, together with Johan Krogh(chairpersonoftheNorthern Region) as well as Pius Mokgokong (club member and owner of Makotopong Car Museum) were invited by Mercedes-Benz South Africa to attend the “40 Years of Innovation”celebrations.

And what a celebration it was! The museum was the perfect setting for these celebrations, with an accurate and fully functional Benz Patent-Motorwagan replica easilybeingthestaroftheshow;as it should be! Another highlight of thecelebrationswasMayurBhana, Head of Customer Connections at Mercedes-Benz South Africa, interviewing both Waldo and Pius, which aﬀorded them both the opportunity to share their passion for the brand and their passion for our club in front of a packed auditorium of motoring journalists andinﬂuencers.

The audience was then treated to audio-visual presentations depicting the past 40 years of Mercedes-Benz, but even more importantwasthevisionsharedby Mercedes-Benzforthepresentand theirfuture.Itisquiteimpressive!

With soaring petrol prices, alternative energy vehicles, plus the “invasion” of other vehicle brands, it is clear that the motor industry in South Africa is facing uncertain times. It is only with the absolutepassionforthebrandthat wecankeepourstarsshiningbright intothefuture!■

My Perspective: The 2026 George Old Car Show –Celebrating the Pioneers of Motoring

I oen ﬁnd myself thinking back to the early days of the George Old Car Show.

I only missed the very ﬁrst one — held in 1997 on Paul Fick's farm “Blackwood” near Victoria Bay — and if I could turn back me, that is one event I would dearly love to aend. My own journey with the show began the following year, at the George Riding Club, where a few hundred cars gathered with a shared passion that has since grown into something truly remarkable.

Standing on the showgrounds in 2026, looking out over the sea of vehicles and people, it is almost hard to believe how far we have come.

As Chairman of the Southern Cape Old Car Club and co-organiser of the George Old Car Show, it once again gives me immense pride to reﬂect on what was a memorable and highly successful 29th George Old Car Show, held on Valenne's Day 2026 at Eden Technical High School.

This year's theme, “The Pioneers of Motoring,” struck a special chord with enthusiasts and visitors alike. Celebrang 140 years since the invenon of the ﬁrst motorcar by Carl Benz in 1886, together with the Centenary of Mercedes-Benz, created a powerful narrave — taking us right back to where it all began.

Not even an early morning rain shower could dampen the spirit of the day. In true George fashion — where “CAW” might as well stand for Cold And Wet — the weather kept us guessing, but the passion of our exhibitors and visitors shone through. Their commitment to aend and support the show, despite the condions, is something I deeply appreciate.

The centrepiece display, commemorang 140 years of Innovaon, proved to be one of the highlights of the show. Seeing the evoluon from the humble beginnings of the Benz PatentMotorwagen through to the elegance and engineering excellence of later Mercedes-Benz models was something truly special. The display featuring the 1886 Patent-Motorwagen, 1901 Benz Ideal, 1913 Benz 8/20 PS Tourenwagen, and the exceponal pre-war Mercedes-Benz vehicles drew constant aenon throughout the day

For many, the undeniable star of the show was the magniﬁcent 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster — a rare and breathtaking example that captured the imaginaon of all who saw it.

Another signiﬁcant highlight was the celebraon of 50 years of the Mercedes-Benz W123, with an impressive line-up of these iconic, locally assembled vehicles proudly on display. It was wonderful to see the strong following this model sll enjoys in South Africa.

The 20th edion of the Veoer, organised by Philip Kuschke, once again proved to be a cornerstone of the weekend. This unique tour, reserved for vehicles manufactured without front brakes, connues to embody the true spirit of early motoring. This year's route from Prince Albert to George, led symbolically by the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, perfectly set the tone for our Pioneer theme. In the true spirit of the 2026 GOCS 's theme – “Pioneers of Motoring”, we had 62, an amazing collecon of Veteran and Vintage vehicles from 1901 to 1936 on display on the main ﬁeld.

As always, what makes this show truly special is the people. From exhibitors showcasing their treasured vehicles to families enjoying a day out, to collectors sharing stories and knowledge — the George Old Car Show remains a meeng place for all who share a passion for motoring heritage.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to every exhibitor, parcipant, stallholder, and visitor who contributed to making this event such a success. Your support ensures that the show connues to grow and remain one of the premier classic motoring events in South Africa.

A hearelt word of appreciaon must also go to our sponsors and partners, parcularly MUA Insurance Acceptances (Pty) Ltd and the George Municipality & George Tourism, whose connued support allows us to elevate the show year aer year. Equally important are our many volunteers and beneﬁciary organisaons — including Rotary, Round Table, the Vryburgers, local schools, and supporng services — whose involvement not only ensures the smooth running of the event but also beneﬁts the broader community

One of the aspects I value most about this show is the sense of camaraderie. It is about reconnecng with friends, meeng new enthusiasts, and sharing in the stories behind these incredible machines. Time and again, visitors approach you with a story — “my father had one of these” — and in that moment, you realise that these cars are more than just vehicles; they are part of our shared history.

The success of the 2026 show once again enabled us to contribute meaningfully to our supporng organisaons and community partners, reinforcing the important role this event plays beyond the showgrounds.

As we close the chapter on another outstanding George Old Car Show, planning is already underway for 2027, where we look forward to welcoming you all back on 13 February 2027

Unl then, thank you for being part of this incredible journey — and for helping us keep the spirit of the pioneers of motoring alive.

Waldo Scribante Chairman: Southern Cape Old Car Club

Celebrating 50 years of the Legendary W123 with MUA @ Lourensford Wine Estate

On Saturday, 21 March 2026, the Southern Cape Old Car Club, together with the Western Cape region of the Mercedes-Benz Club, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the iconic W123atthebeaufulLourensfordWineEstate.

A highlight of the day was the raﬄe of a prisne 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123), proudlysponsoredbyMUA,mainsponsorofthe2026GeorgeOldCarShow.

The draw was conducted by MUA CEO Vajra Singh, with the lucky winner being MohammedAliRoykerofCapeTown—congratulaons!

Inaremarkablegesture,allproceedsfromtheraﬄeweredonatedbyMUAtosupportour beneﬁciaryorganisaons.

Thank you to everyone who parcipated and helped make this celebraon of a true motoringlegendsospecial.

■SouthernCape-Celebrangyearsofinnovaon

SOUTHERN CAPE REGION

Excitement and anticipation for

By René Scribante New Year breakfast at Glentana Café

The Southern Cape region of the Mercedes-Benz Club commenced the 2026 calendar in ﬁne style with its ﬁrst monthly meeting held at the popular Glentana Café on January, 17th.

the year ahead were palpable, especially as members looked forward to celebrating 40 Years of Innovation with Mercedes-Benz SouthAfrica.

Our region’s ﬁrst monthly meeting focused extensively on the ﬁnal planning arrangements for the upcoming George Old Car Show, with attending members enthusiastically contributing ideas and preparations to ensure anothersuccessfulevent.

Attendees were also warmly invitedtojointhePresident'sBraai, one of the highlights on the club’s Southern Cape social calendar. Suggestions for additional events and activities throughout the year were discussed, creating great

enthusiasm for an exciting motoringyearahead.

Members also took note of the upcoming 4st AGM & National Gathering, to be held from 3 to 6 June 2026 in Upington, Northern Cape — truly an event not to be missed.

Following the meeting, our members enjoyed light-hearted camaraderie over a sumptuous breakfast and excellent coﬀee, departing with great excitement and anticipation for the upcoming George Old Car Show; and the memorableyearthatliesahead.

Southern Cape – Celebrating 40YearsofInnovation. ■

SOUTHERN CAPE REGION

Breakfast run and monthly meeting at Salt & Copper

By René Scribante

The Southern Cape region of the Mercedes-Benz Club recently enjoyed a delightful monthly meeting and breakfast at the well-loved Salt & Copper restaurant in Hartenbos.

This gathering followed the

successful George Old Car Show and President's Braai, creating a wonderful atmosphere forfellowship.

During the meeting, members discussed and planned upcoming events,fosteringexcitementforthe future. The breakfast that followed wasadelightfulexperience,adding tothecamaraderiethatdeﬁnesthe SouthernCapecommunity.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our Chairperson, René Scribante, and Vice-chairman, Koot du Toit, for their exceptional eﬀorts in organizing this gathering and ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. Their hard work and dedication are truly appreciated!

Southern Cape - Celebrating 40yearsofinnovation.■

Fitting ﬁnale for the 124 series top model: The E 500 Limited, "last off the line"

• Exhibit in the "Youngtimer" special exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

• Last Mercedes-Benz E 500 of model series 124 produced, from the year 1995

• "Limited" ﬁnal special series: "EVO II" six-spoke wheels, exclusive sapphire black exterior and coloured leather interior

Last of its kind:

The "Youngtimer" special exhibition Mercedes-Benz E 500 is the last vehicle built of this exclusive top-of-the-line model in the ﬁrst E-Class range. It has only 422 kilometres on the clock and belongs to the particularly lavishly equipped "Limited" series.

The saloon stands ﬁrmly on striking six-spoke wheels. They are similar to those of the "EVO II", the high-performance sports car 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (W 201). For the sake of comparison, the "EVO II" is on display right next to the E 500 "Limited". Two powerhouses on one podium. You can read more about the “EVO II” elsewhere in this publication.

Fire and silk:

The brand used this slogan, “ﬁre and silk”, to advertise the top model in the 124 series when it was launched in 1990. The E 500 in the museum brings the fascination of these contrasts to life. The sporty performance of the M 119 V8 engine meets the distinguished elegance of the Mercedes-Benz upper mid-size segment with discreetly ﬂared wings.

The power saloon was built in cooperation with Porsche until 1995, initially under the name 500 E until 1993.

The engine displaces 4,973 ccm over eight cylinders with a 90-degree bank angle, 10,0:1 compression ratio, four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts driven by a duplex chain. Maximum power output is 235 kW (320 PS) at 5,600 rpm with peak torque of 470 Nm available from 3,900 rpm.

With rear-wheel drive and a four-speed automatic gearbox, the E 500 sprinted to 100 km/h in 6,1 seconds and was electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Perfectly coordinated interior:

Mercedes-Benz gave the "Limited" an exceptional interior. The sports seats, steering wheel and door panels were upholstered in coloured soft leather. The customer decided on the colour scheme: grey, red or green. Black/grey (code 288) was chosen for the last of the line. The automatic gear selector lever, inlay carpets and vehicle document wallet were designed to match.

The wood trim is in black-stained bird's-eye maple. Anyone who takes a seat realises that luxury is understated in this vehicle.

CENTRAL REGION

Central Region gears up for the 2026 AGM and National Gathering

By Jaco Kachelhoﬀer

Our region kicked oﬀ the year

on24January2026withavisit to our member Nic Oosthuizen's newly built “Merchuizen” — a treasuretroveofthree-pointedstar classics (and some other “foreign” classics as well). Nic currently has one of the largest collections of classicsinBloemfonteinandrumor has it that he is still on the lookout formorebeauties.

Our members were treated to lamb on the spit with pap en sous, salads and breads, and a classic dessert:“Basaarpoeding”,whichisa variety of jellies topped oﬀ with homemadecustard.Theﬁresburnt lateintothenightandittrulywasan enjoyableevent.

CENTRAL REGION

IncollaborationwithMercedesBenz Bloemfontein (Garden City Motors) we celebrated our second classic car day. Our classics were aﬀorded the opportunity to take the place of brand-new MercedesBenz models in the showroom; as theydidmanyyearsago—someas longagoas60+years.

Shined and polished to their former glory, the classics were a hit with the public visiting the showroom. Among the visitors to thedealershipwereSamandDom, thehostsofTheCarSceneprogram onIgnitionTV.

Sam and Dom also visited the private collection of our member Nic Oosthuizen, and they could not believe their luck in being able to witness his vast collection of beautifulclassics.

It was not only about the cars as we brought some culture to the eventaswell.Thewell-knownradio presenter and journalist, Albè Grobbelaar, gave us a sneak preview on his book "Historiese Almanak — Onthou jy nog?" This book is based on his daily radio segmentonRSGwhichhehasbeen presenting for decades. Albè is

regarded as a pioneer of central South African broadcasting with a careerspanningover40years. This was followed by tasty snacks and boerewors rolls kindly supplied by Mercedes-Benz Bloemfontein. We really value and appreciate the good relations we have with the dealership. Special thanks go to Gustav Rossouw and Kobus Alberts for the opportunity toshowcaseourbelovedclassicsin theirshowroom.Abigthankyouas well to all the members, especially those who travelled from far, who madethisdaythesuccessitwas.

CENTRAL REGION

Also in March, a group of our clubmemberscametogethertobe educated on the importance of the cooling system of our beloved vehicles.

DeonandWernerRedelinghuys explained the workings of cooling systems; and the importance of doing some regular maintenance. Regularﬂushingmustbedone,and the correct type of coolant should be used. Leaks must be identiﬁed and repaired, and the correct thermostatsandpressurecapsare alsoveryimportant.

Thegroupattendinghadquitea

number of questions on this topic and hence the technical evening was most informative and veryinteresting.

The evening was concluded with a boerewors braai, fresh hot dog buns and Annalie's secret family recipe of onion relish. Johan van Eden took care of the desert with Tinkies being provided. It was anothersuccessfuleveningandwe would like to thank Deon and Werner,andallthosewhoattended aswell.

CENTRAL REGION

In April our members decided to brave the possibility of rain and set out on a leisurely trip to Tom's Place just outside Bloemfontein. The trip is just long enough for the enginestobenicelywarmedupand the passengers to relax. In the lineup, amongst others, a shiny black 958 W05 29 Ponton, a 968 W 230S,acherryred979450SLC,two 500SE'sandamongthenewercars, an S65 AMG youngster. After a bite to eat, the group returned to Bloemfontein — no rain, just all drivingpleasure!

Our region's main focus this year will be the National Gathering and AGM, which we will be hosting in Upington in June. We look forward to seeing many of our members on this historic club visit tothisNorthernCapecity!■

Premiere with style and stone: The Mercedes-Benz CL 600 from the 1999 Geneva Motor Show

• The coupés of the Mercedes-Benz 215 model series offer luxury at its best in every respect

• World premiere of natural stone trim parts in the designo range of the time

• Contemporary witness to the absolute pinnacle of automotive engineering at the end of the 1990s Stuttgart. "Close-up" - the name of this series from the Mercedes-Benz Museum says it all. Each instalment tells surprising, exciting and interesting stories about vehicles from the exhibition. In the spotlight this time: the MercedesBenz CL 600 in the special “Youngtimer” exhibition, Collection Room 5. Until 12 April 2026, the show will feature ten iconic vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s in a colourful and trendy presentation.

Complex production: the hard stone is sawn into wafer-thin slices and ﬁxed to a ﬂexible base. Rollers then break up the grain structure, while the optical and haptic properties are retained.

Double debut

This CL 600 is a premiere vehicle of the 215 model series at the Geneva Motor Show from 11 to 21 March 1999. It was given a place of honour on a pedestal in the middle of the Mercedes-Benz stand. The silver-painted sister model, the CL 500, is on display next to it. The coupé was initially launched in 1999 as the CL 500, followed by the CL 600 in the spring of 2000. In 2001, Mercedes-Benz ﬁnally launched the stone trim parts made from the Norwegian granite type larvikite in the interior as part of the designo customisation programme.

Innovative sophistication

“How do you spell the future of the car?” Mercedes-Benz answered this question at Geneva in 1999 with the presentation of the C 215.

The luxury coupé looks out into the world with a twinheadlamp face typical of its era. Like the S-Class, it perfectly combines innovative technology with exclusivity. The newly developed 5.8-litre V12 engine M 137 in the top-of-the-range CL 600 is a perfect match. A V12 badge on each side indicates the engine.

The premiere vehicle from 1999 can be experienced in the special “Youngtimer” exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum until 12 April 2026.

Living mineral

Natural stone on trim parts in the interior of a car? What an extraordinary idea. Mercedes-Benz ﬁrst implemented it in this CL 600. Like an organic material, this otherwise hard and brittle mineral hugs the curvatures of the interior

The trim on the centre console and door panels shimmers gently and deeply, and the blue tones glow seductively in the right light. The luxury coupé with its exclusive and at the same time safe trim made of natural stone offers an overwhelming aesthetic –astonishing experts and the general public.

EASTERN CAPE REGION

Eastern Cape joins Karoo to Coast convoy to George

By Fabian Cairns

As per usual, the Eastern Cape chapter arranged a sojourn en route to the Southern Cape Car show in George.

Thetripwasverywellsupported

this year, with a few guys and gals joining us from Jo’burg and managing to book out the Royal Hotel in Steytlerville, including the additional accommodation they have oﬀ site. It was a lovely day for travelling, a little rainy and cool at ﬁrst,butweallmadeourwaytothe Karoo town, arriving mid to late afternoon on the Thursday. A few refreshments were had on the verandah with the guys and gals rollingandgettingsettleddownfor an afternoon / evening of catch up, caroglingandchatter.

We had a few special ladies on the run with emphasis on the 23 models, given it is their 50th anniversaryin2026.

Thursday evening’s dinner was a sumptuous braai which was held inthehall...classicKaroofarewhich included divine Karoo lamb with all the trimmings. An early-ish start on Friday morning had us heading oﬀ toWillowmoreontheoldbackroad, the concrete strip, but fortunately it’sfairlywellmaintainedsoaneasy drive.UnfortunatelywehadaW6 misbehave at the start of the day, and after the crew tried a bunch of

EASTERN CAPE REGION

things to get her running, it was decidedthatsheratherstaybehind in Steytlerville, with a lift arranged to fetch the crew Fortunately we made a pit stop to stretch legs, so a bit of music was put on where we gottoenjoythevibe,andhadtannie Daleen and oom Ettienne dancing upaduststormontheroadside!

We then headed oﬀ to the WillowmoreHotelwherewewaited for the rest of our crew to catchup. With it getting a little warmer, we kuier’d a bit longer with a few refreshmentsandabitetoeat.

Once everyone was reunited, wemadeaturnattheNGChurchon the way before we hit the road to George. Unfortunately the church was closed so we could only get a look in, but it shows an interesting styleforthetime.

Peter Boschoﬀ was kind enough to make time for us to stop inathisfarmattheOuteniquepass, whereafewoldanduniquecarsare housed.Itwaslovelylisteningtothe history on them and, after a few slices of pizza, we headed oﬀ down intoGeorge.

We ended oﬀ the day with a braaiatthePineLodge,wheremost ofuswerestaying,whichturnedout to be a good spot with good company, so a great weekend was hadbyall.

BigthanksgotoPaulforputting the run together, and for the refreshments we had along the way, also to Johan for his photographicskills.■

EASTERN CAPE

EASTERN CAPE REGION

EASTERN CAPE

W123 display evening at the EPVCC

By Fabian Cairns

In conjunction with the EPVCC, it was decided to host a W123 display to commemorate not only the Mercedes-Benz brand but the 50th anniversary of the W123.

We had an amazing turn-out

with club members coming from far and wide. There was a full range of 23-Series models on display, everything from 200 and 280 sedans, CE's, and an absolute gem of a 280TE, all the way from NieuBethesda.Allthecarsonshow were in good condition, some with lowmileage,otherswithmorethan 400 thousand kms and still purring along. The Old Merc Guy was there and did a few interviews with the guys and gals about their cars, as didRiaanfromtheEPV.

A great evening was had, it was a good catchup and a chance for people to view these gracious vehicles.■

EASTERN CAPE REGION

EASTERN CAPE

EASTERN CAPE REGION

“140 Years. 140 Places”: The global journey continues –the new S-Class on tour in

North America

Celebrating 140 Years of Innovation together with customers, fans and communities around the world, Mercedes-Benz has embarked on an epic transcontinental journey. During the North American leg of the tour, the new S-Class will visit destinations in the USA and Canada, including Miami, Washington D.C., New York, Toronto, Tuscaloosa, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Mercedes-Benz brings the S-Class to renowned sport events and tournaments to celebrate the brand’s tradition and long-standing commitments in golf and tennis. In Charleston, the stop was in line with the Charleston Open, a WTA 500 tournament celebrating its 40-year anniversary in 2026. During its tour in the Southern States, the S-Class stopped in Augusta, Georgia. Every year in early April, the city hosts the elite of golf for the ﬁrst Major Tournament of the season.

Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Following the World Premiere of the New S-Class on 29 January 2026, three new S-Class saloons have set off on a global drive spanning more than 50,000 kilometres across six continents. The journey will visit a symbolic 140 locations, each reﬂecting a chapter of the brand’s heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence.

From legendary routes and historic milestones to iconic megacities, the convoy is bringing Mercedes-Benz innovation to life on every continent. Along the way, the new S-Class is joined by classic vehicles, current production models and local ﬂeet cars, creating unique encounters at every checkpoint.

The new S-Class in New York, USA

The S-Class journey offers memorable moments for customers, Mercedes-Benz Club members and fans – from spontaneous meetups to exclusive stories and showcases. Local celebrations and community highlights continue to shape the journey as it unfolds.

This epic journey started in Stuttgart and went across Europe – including stops in Switzerland, Spain, France and Belgium. In South America, the convoy visited Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. The global drive will conclude in Stuttgart in October– where the Mercedes-Benz story began.

The new S-Class at the Manhattan Bridge in New York, USA

Follow the journey online

The journey can be followed online via the Mercedes-Benz Community hub and its social media channels, with regular updates. New images will also be added continuously on the Mercedes-Benz Media Site.

You can also follow the tour on YouTube – our hosts will take you on the journey – Callum Mullin through Europe, Karl Shakur through South America and Benjamin Ortega through North America.

The new S-Class has been traveling from Tuscaloosa (Alabama) to Monroe (Louisiana) and Austin (Texas) in the United States.

Here the two new S-Class models are shown at the Circuit of the Americas, a 5.5 km motorsport race track near Austin. Later during the North American leg of this intercontinental tour, the new S-Class also visited the Sebring racetrack in Florida.

KWA-ZULU NATAL REGION

January 2026: coastal drive & private collection visit

By Travis Dutton

The KZN Region kicked oﬀ the year in style with a fantastic turnout at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Members gathered early, with an impressive array of vehicles on display, before setting oﬀ on a scenic coastal drive towards Umhlanga.

Ourdestinationwastheprivate

collection of long-time club member Nico van Rooyen, who graciously opened his doors to the club.

Members were treated to an up-close experience of Nico's remarkable car collection, each vehicle carrying its own story and history

Nico's passion and knowledge made the experience even more special, as he shared personal insights and anecdotes that truly brought the collection to life. We extend our sincere thanks to Nico for his hospitality and for makingthisvisitsuchahighlight.

Following the visit, the convoy made its way to Black Restaurant at Oceans Mall, where members enjoyed a relaxed lunch and drinks together. It was the perfect setting toconnect,reﬂect,andsetthetone for what promises to be an exciting yearaheadfortheclub. ■

February 2026: Spanner Day progress & creative outing

By Travis Dutton

Our region's hands-on spirit continued with another successful spanner day, building on the momentum from our previous session.

Members came together to

continue work on the M20 V2engine,whichhadalreadyseen its cylinder heads removed at the lastgathering.

With great teamwork and enthusiasm, the engine has now been fully disassembled and is readytomoveintotheengineering phase ahead of its rebuild. This ongoing project continues to be a valuable learning experience and a great way for members to collaborate and share technical knowledge. Stay tuned for further updatesastherebuildprogresses.

Meanwhile, a different kind of creativity was unfolding in Umhlanga, where the ladies met at Create Ceramics for a relaxed sip-and-paint experience. Their afternoon was filled with laughter, storytelling, and excitement about the year ahead. The ceramics pieces created on the day reflected not only artistic flair but also a shared passion for the threepointedstar.

Together, both events showcased the diverse spirit of the club and our region — from mechanical learning to creative expression — therebystrengtheningthesenseof communityintheKZNRegion. ■

the Mercedes-Benz SLK

Celebrating life with joy and verve: 30 years of

• An emotive signature model for the brand since 1996

• The SLK can go from roadster to coupé in just 25 seconds thanks to the electrohydraulic vario-roof

• Owners can now enjoy a comprehensive parts supply with Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts

Sportlich, Leicht, Kurz.

Stuttgart. An abundance of joie de vivre and driving pleasure: whether as an open roadster or closed coupé: the Mercedes-Benz SLK (R 170) is just as inspiring today as it was at its April 1996 premiere. This compact sports car impresses with its innovative steel vario-roof, high-performance power units and cool design. Thirty years ago, demand for the SLK was exceptionally high; and its name stands for "Sportlich, Leicht, Kurz" ("Sporty, Lightweight, Short").

By 2004, a total of 311,222 examples had been built of the types 200, 200 Kompressor, 230 Kompressor, 320 and 32 AMG.

Ingeniously folded and optimally covered

One deﬁning feature of the SLK is its steel vario-roof. When closed, it offers excellent comfort and protection from inclement weather, reduces the risk of break-ins, keeps any wind noise to a minimum and goes through automatic car washes unscathed. This makes the SLK a veritable year-round car.

Just activate a switch on the centre console, and the roof lifts and folds neatly into the boot in just 25 seconds. And there is still enough room for light luggage for two. These occupants can enjoy the open sky view, with reduced buffeting thanks to the standard wind deﬂector. Twin roll-over bars and reinforced A-pillars ensure a high level of safety.

The folding mechanism is a masterpiece of engineering, its carefully choreographed movement continues to draw admiring gazes to this day

If properly maintained, the complex mechanism reliably retains its functionality for decades.

The SLK is a trendsetter. Its innovative roof concept is widely adopted by other manufacturers around the year 2000.

Sporty chassis tuning for agile handling

Double wishbone axles at the front, multi-link at the back – the chassis makes use of proven Mercedes-Benz components. The tuning is adapted with revised springs, lowering the car by 20 millimetres compared to a C-Class. The choice of wheels is unusual for the brand. The more powerful SLKs come with wider wheels and tyres at the rear than at the front. For instance, the SLK 230 Kompressor is ﬁtted with 205/55 R16 tyres on the front and 225/50 R16 at the back. For short braking distances, the SLK features a W 210 braking system.

Short overhangs at both front and rear and "power domes" on the bonnet give the SLK an agile look to match its handling. In the basic variant, it only weighs 1,260 kg and, with a length of 3,995 mm, it is around half a metre shorter than its big brother, the SL (R 129).

A joyful celebration of colour

The SLK expresses its multi-faceted joie de vivre with an unusual colour concept. Bold hues suit it well. This is shown by test vehicles presented to the press in 1996 in the striking colour Yellowstone (code 685). As part of the facelift in the year 2000, interior colours become even more vivid, with Merlin Blue, Magma Red and Lotus Yellow.

Many examples of the R 170 are carefully maintained and regularly driven. Well-preserved SLKs are available on the market at attractive prices. One key advantage for SLK aﬁcionados: the car's high level of production quality and its technical kinship with the C-Class of the 202 model series (1992 to 2000) are the basis for its longevity.

Impressive driving performance

The best-selling R 170 SLK is the 230 Kompressor Its four-cylinder engine with mechanical supercharger sounds the part, delivering 142 kW (193 hp) to the rear wheels. The driving performance is impressive: accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, the version with ﬁve-gear manual transmission reaches a top speed of 231 km/h. The use of a supercharger to boost performance has illustrious predecessors.

These include the legendary Mercedes-Benz S models of the 1920s, which apply this principle of charging in order to increase power as well as boost torque –and all this together with efﬁcient fuel consumption.

Exemplary parts supply for ensured long-term mobility

With an extensive range of spare parts, Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts contribute to keeping SLK vehicles of the R 170 range on the road with safety and authenticity. Manufactured according to original factory speciﬁcations, the parts are generally available within 24 hours via the worldwide sales and distribution network. Please follow this link to parts search:

https://www.mercedes-benz.com/de/fahrzeuge/mercedes-benz-classic/classiccenter/classic-original-ersatzteile/

(The range of parts for

Please follow this link to search for original SLK parts

R 170 include the remanufactured automatic transmission, radiator, windscreen, rear window, slide rail for the chain tensioning lever, oil jet for M111 engine, Mercedes star, inside rear view mirror, turn signals, front fog lamps, the SLK 230 model badge SLK Special Edition model badge).

NORTHERN REGION

“...the travelling experience from a Northern Region perspective…"

George Old Car Show –14 February 2026

By Johan Krogh

For a “Vaalie”, surely nothing can beat Valentine's Day in the beautiful Southern Cape town of George. Combine this with shining metal, lots of chrome and the smell of petrol and every petrol head will think he or she is in heaven!

No doubt you have or will be

reading more about the George Old Car Show in this volume, but let me recount the travelling experience from a NorthernRegionperspective

Although some of our region’s members elected to attend the show in more modern cars, and some even in other brands (we will not name and shame), and some even by plane – no sense of adventure there – a couple of our members decided to tackle the almost 2 400km return journey in Fintails: one W0 and two Ws AndIamnotsayingthattheFintails are not capable of accomplishing such a journey – to the contrary. In my humble opinion there is no betterlongdistancecruiser!

The Northern Region Fintailcrowd left Johannesburg at 4am on the 2th of February 2026 and met up with Eastern Cape members in Graaﬀ-Reinet for lunch. I have to pause here and thank Johan Minnaarforhisaltruistichospitality in welcoming the crowd into his home, and for the absolutely scrumptious lunch that was prepared

After taking a well-deserved rest and breaking bread with the Easterners - who turned out to be not a bad crowd at all – the combined group of club members now commanded about seven cars and proceeded to meet with even more Eastern Cape region members in Steytlerville, our base forthenight.

NORTHERN REGION

At this point, bar for stating that we had a fantastic supper and evening and that the atmosphere was electric, it will suﬃce to state that “what happened in Steytlerville –staysinSteytlerville”.

The next morning after breakfast we proceeded to George via a small single lane cement road to Willowmore Some mischievous behaviour next to the single lane cement road in the dust with blasting music done, we embarked on a rather “kerklike” architectural explorationinWillowmore–maybe to repent (or not) as this was followed up by a visit to the Royal Hotel for some much needed refreshments

Afteralongandhotjourneywe were greeted with a rain shower as we entered the Outeniqua pass into George. For those ﬂying into George, their journey only startedbut getting there was just part of thefunasfunwashadinGeorgeby all, like any other year – it never disappoints! The Fintail-crowd is already planning their trip for next yearinPontons.

Also, a huge thank you goes to the Eastern Cape members for allowingthe“Vaalies”tojoin!■

NORTHERN REGION

Stars & Coffee –1 March 2026

By Johan Krogh

Despite the rain, members

from the Northern Region gathered for a quick cup of coffee and something the eat at our first Coffee&Starseventfor2026at“Die Kweekhuis” in Pretoria, providing anopportunityforclubmembersto catch up, network and discuss new orupcomingexcitingpurchases;or projects of the three-pointed star variety.

We also welcomed some new members to the club and to our region, and we certainly look forward to seeing all our members atanupcomingevent.

Itdoesn'tmatterwhatmodelor yearofmanufacturethestaristhat youarefollowing,comeandjointhe fun!■

“...unfortunately not real gold...”

Our adventure kicked oﬀ at

Gold Rush Treasure Rally –22 March 2026

By Johan Krogh

What an incredible day out with the Northern Region members!

the South African National Museum of Military History, where membersgatheredbrightandearly for a 09:00 departure. Members weregiftedgoldcoinstoremember the day – unfortunately not real gold coins but those yummy ones ﬁlledwithchocolate.

From here, the excitement began as we set oﬀ at the wave of a ﬂag, on our Gold Rush Treasure Rally. Teams navigated their way through a predetermined route in Johannesburg that was planned by ourmemberLouisFourie.Andwhat atreattheroutewas!

To make the day even more interesting, and to capture the experience of all participants, the route instructions included taking some creative and interesting “selﬁes” and photos along the way, and tackling and answering a few trickyquestionsthatkepteveryone ontheirtoes.

The rally ended at Gold Reef City, although the Gold Rushtheme experience continued on a fascinatingmineandunderground CrownMinestour–arealstepback into Johannesburg's rich gold mining history The tour was concluded with a live “gold” pour

NORTHERN REGION

demonstration and an attempt to pick up the bar with two ﬁngers. Lookingbackatthephotosandthe memories created, yellow safety hats should be in the back parcel trayofeveryW26.

We ended the day on a high, with a well-deserved lunch at Barney's, ﬁlled with great food, laughter,andevenbettercompany. Somememberswereluckyenough to win one of three sponsored quiz prices. A big thank you to everyone whojoinedandmadethedaysucha memorable success. Until our next adventure!■

Stars & Coffee –19 April 2026

By Johan Krogh

A well attended and well loved event in the Northern Region!

ThewholepurposeofourStars&

Coffeeeventsaretoprovidean opportunity for our members to stretchthelegsoftheirbelovedand cherishedthree-pointedSTARS,but also to enjoy the networking and camaraderie offered in a quick coffeeandbreakfastsetting.

The most recent Stars & Coﬀee event, hosted on the 9th of April 2026 at The Deck Restaurant situated at the tranquil Serengeti Golf Estate, did not disappoint and we thank Christopher Dooley and Jan-Willem Wielsma for suggesting this venue; and for making all the arrangements.

We were further honoured to have the club’s ﬁrst and second presidents (Steve Rademeyer and Ettienne Geel) among the just over 30guestswhoattendedthisStars& Coﬀeeevent.

The breakfast tables were of course buzzing with conversation regarding upcoming events and, morespeciﬁcally,theNationalAGM and Gathering scheduled for June this year in Upington! Clearly, the Northernersareveryexcitedabout this event and we are convinced thattheeventwillbeamazing!

EveryonelefttheStars&Coffee runfeelingrejuvenatedafterafixof coffeeandsomevibrantclubfamilia discussions.■

Second record in a row: The Mercedes-Benz Museum attracted almost 950,000 visitors in 2025

• Increase of more than 7% compared to the previous record year 2024

• The special “Youngtimer” exhibition is particularly popular – continuing until 31 May 2026

• 2026 is the year of anniversaries: 20 Years of the Museum, 100 Years of Mercedes-Benz, 130 Years of Commercial Vehicles, as well as 140 Years of the Automobile

Youngtimer exhibitions

The Mercedes-Benz Museum ended 2025 with its second record in a row: it welcomed a total of 945,716 visitors; more than ever before in a single year. This represents an increase of around 63,000 (or more than 7%) compared to 2024. The proportion of international visitors also increased further to 55%, almost reaching the pre-pandemic level. Most of the international guests came from China, France and the USA

The very successful special “Youngtimer” exhibition with Mercedes-Benz automotive icons from the 1990s and 2000s contributed signiﬁcantly to the record result. It can be experienced through 31 May 2026 in Collection Room 5.

Classics & Coffee at the Museum

The increasingly popular event series Classics & Coffee with the open-brand classic car meet on the Museum hill also attracted many visitors in 2025 with new themes and offers.

The new season starts on 12 April 2026. To kick off the annual programme, the series celebrates the anniversary of “140 Years of Innovation” and commemorates the invention of the automobile by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1886. Classics & Coffee takes place every Sunday on the Museum hill through 11 October 2026.

Other themed highlights in 2026 include the S-Class, a motorsport special with Bernd Mayländer and a “Night at the Museum”.

More information: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/de/kunst-und-kultur/museum/veranstaltungen/classics-coffee/

Thank You!

“2025 was fantastic. We would like to thank all our visitors for making this success possible.

2026 is the year of anniversaries for us: The kick-off was the world premiere of the S-Class here at the Museum on 29 January, the historic day on which Carl Benz ﬁled his patent 140 years ago. On 19 May, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Museum and in June, we will open a special exhibition on 130 years of commercial vehicles with rarely shown vans and trucks.”

Bettina Haussmann, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Museum

Upcoming Events

Now until 31 May 2026

Sundays, 12 April to 11 October 2026

19 May 2026

25 June 2026

5 July 2026

From 10 July to 9 August 2026

From 21 August to 6 September 2026

Since the end of 2025

Special “Youngtimer” exhibition

Classics & Coffee series

20th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Museum

Special exhibition “130 Years of Commercial Vehicles”

Family Day

Urban Culture at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

“Roll the ﬁlm!” Open-Air Cinema

“Now on View” Mercedes-Benz Art Collection exhibit

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ticket counter always closes at 5 p.m.

Registrations, reservations and the latest information: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. by calling 49 711 17-30000, by e-mail to classic@mercedes-benz.com or online at www.mercedes-benz.com/museum

WESTERN CAPE REGION

TheWesternCapeRegionofour

Western Cape Region meets at a familiar venue

By Hanjo Stier

The Western Cape Region started oﬀ 2026 by enticing members to monthly meetings at the Multi-motor Clubhouse, while also hosting a beautiful 123-Series run to Lourensford Wine Estate.

clubhas,inrecentyears,useda roaming venue concept for its monthlymeetings.Thisformatwas well received but sometimes badly attended, due to Capetownian’s fearofcrossingsuburbandivides.

With a whole-new committee steering the region, it was decided to revive monthly meetings at the Multi-motor Clubhouse in Parow, which has the beneﬁt of being centrally located in the greater CapeTownarea.

Theﬁrstmeetingtookplacelate in February and was well attended, also thanks to tasty catering from ournewchairman,Jürgen.Histeam on the evening included his charming wife Regina and a German friend whose lack of local

languageswaseasilycompensated by his amazing braai skills. Who would have thought that Germans can braai, even though they call it “grilling?”

March’s monthly meeting was foregone in favour of the region’s big 23-Series celebration, which you can read more about on the followingfewpages.

Aprilissupposedtobeautumn in the fairest Cape but somehow it didn’t get that memo this year, as instead we experienced very cold temperatures, lots of rain and the occasional storm. Nonetheless, 2 membersmetattheendofAprilfor ourmonthlygatheringattheMultimotor Clubhouse, this time with a huge variety of delicious soup on oﬀer.

WESTERN CAPE REGION

The regional committee has also met a few times to discuss future events, and planning is well underway for a winter weekend getaway,scenicWinelandsoutings, a workshop day plus a few casual coﬀeerunsinbetween.

Unfortunately, due to calendar clashes, an airforce museum visit planned for late April had to be postponed to next month so you’ll have to wait for the following issue oftheBenzLenstoreadmoreabout that.

We would like to thank all our members and friends who attended these events, especially thosewhocontributedtowardsthe great food, and hope to see you on thenextones! ■

WESTERN CAPE REGION

Watch a short video here

“By mid-morning we counted 15 W123s and one coupé...”

TheWesternCapeRegionofour

Western Cape Region hosts the 50th anniversary of the 123-Series

By Hanjo Stier

Stunning weather, legendary vehicles and the beautiful Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West came together to celebrate 50 years of the 123-Series.

clubwasgiventheopportunity to organise a golden anniversary run;tocelebrateﬁvedecadessince the launch of the legendary 23Series. This day was also kindly supported by the Southern Cape Old Car Club, MUA Insurance and Rola Motors. Proceedings started with two convoys meeting at the absolutely stunning Lourensford Wine Estate in the cradle of the Helderberg,SomersetWest.

This run was in honour of the W23 being launched almost 50 years ago, at the end of January 976, and also culminated in the raﬄe draw for a dark blue 230E sponsored by MUA Insurance (one of our club’s approved classic car insurers).

The day would also not have goneassmoothlyifitwasn’tforthe wonderful support by our local Mercedes-Benz dealership, Rola Motors, whose family-owned business has been serving the Helderbergareasince963.

With newly-appointed events coordinator Claire Stier in the drivingseatatthevenue,twosmall convoys converged from Cape Town’s two major highways, the N and N2, with convoy captains Mikhail Kunneke and Jürgen Apel guiding everyone towards a sunny eventinSomersetWest.

By mid-morning we counted 5 W23s and one coupé, but sadly no S23 this time. Other MercedesBenz models on display — there were 35 — included everything

WESTERN CAPE REGION

fromacrustyPontontothelatestEClass, lots of C-Class and E-Class generations, new A-Class, SLKs, CLKs and a CL, C07, W08, Strich Acht, three R29s and an R230, C26andtwo350SEs.

Highlightsinthe23rangewere abeautifulgroupofdieselW23s,a 280CEracecar,ahighmileage300D run on vegetable oil, plus a bevy of 280Es, two of which were lowmileage prestine examples while another two were well-loved onefamily specimens. And let’s not forget the chairman’s rusty 300D which almost stole the limelight from the gleaming dark blue MUAsponsored230E.

Club members and friends enjoyed a sunny day at the familyfriendly Lourensford market next door,alsovisitingtheadjacentAbru brewery and vehicle display, or the stunning car collection at Museo DellaPassione.

The day concluded with the 230Ewinnerannouncementjointly done by our club president, Waldo, withrepresentativesfromMUAand theSouthernCapeOldCarClub.

Themorninghadafriendlyand casualatmosphereandwehopeto host more series-speciﬁc events or anniversary runs in the future. We even secured a few new member applicationsontheday!■

WESTERN CAPE REGION

Mercedes-Benz "EVO II": Fascinating cult classic with DTM DNA

• Rare icon of the 1990s: coveted small series and racing touring car with championship title in 1992

• The super sports car based on the '190' – the ﬁrst Mercedes-Benz compact class

• One of the brand's most sought-after younger dream cars

Stuttgart sports badge

Powerful spoilers and aprons, large wheels in ﬂared wheel arches and a huge rear aerofoil: The Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, known to fans as the 'EVO II', clearly demonstrates its sporting potential even when stationary.

This high-performance saloon with road approval catapulted the 201 model series into the motor racing realm. In the 1990s, it was an absolute cult car and today it is an extremely rare and valuable younger dream car

Characteristic features: The series' top model is immediately recognisable thanks to its body modiﬁcations. On the right-hand side of the boot lid, the exhibit sports the iconic number sequence 2.5-16 – a reference to the 2.5-litre high-performance engine with four-valve technology. The discreet badges with the word "evolution" on the wings of this compact class deﬁnitively identify the exact model. Only the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II has them.

Exactly 502 examples of the EVO II were produced as an exclusive series in 1990. They served to homologate the DTM racing touring car, which was put to extremely successful use from July 1990, with which Klaus Ludwig became champion in 1992. The special "Youngtimer" exhibition shows vehicle number 222. This is revealed by the individual "222/500" badge on the shifter of the ﬁve-speed transmission.

Why the extra two units? To be on the safe side, two more vehicles were built to fulﬁl the requirements for the homologation of this development stage of the DTM racing touring cars: the requirement was at least 500 units. All EVO IIs were painted in the same colour, Blue-Black metallic (code DB 199).

Almost 8,000 rpm

The EVO II was an absolute sensation, and a super-sporty statement from Mercedes-Benz. Its engine delivers 173 kW (235 hp) at 7,200 rpm, with a top speed of up to 250 km/h – the speedometer scale even goes up to 260 km/h. The M 102 E 25/2 engine is installed at an angle of 15 degrees and was designed in line with the DTM technology of the time: the road version of the EVO II has a slightly smaller displacement than the DTM racing touring car – however, both motors are conﬁgured with a shorter stroke than the engine in the 190 E 2.5-16 presented in 1988.

In the EVO II racing car, the engine initially produced 245 kW (333 hp) at 8,500 rpm and revved up to 9,500 rpm, whereas in the 1992 master vehicle it produced up to 274 kW (373 hp).

DID YOU KNOW

The EVO II in the special "Youngtimer" exhibition was used as a test car for the press in 1990, and then transferred directly to the company's vehicle collection.

Roman wheels

The EVO II rides on mighty wheels. They fill out the heavily flared wheel arches – especially when the suspension's three-stage hydraulic levelling system is set to maximum lowering. The 8.5 × 17-inch six-spoke light-alloy wheels with 245/40 ZR 17 low-profile tyres are legendary

Bruno Sacco, head of design at Mercedes-Benz from 1975 to 1999, is said to have commented as follows:

"They remind me of a Roman chariot." This gave the rims the nickname "combat wheels". Not an entirely inappropriate comparison, as chariot races with modiﬁed chariots were among the most popular sporting events in ancient Rome.

In a way, these racetracks were the early forerunners of modern circuits.

Sprint Review: Mercedes-Benz GLE 400d Coupé AMG Line

By Hanjo Stier

You are now looking at a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400d Coupé 4Matic AMG Line… and I can absolutely conﬁrm that this quasi-coupé luxury SUV is as smooth, powerful, clever and luxurious as you think it is.

You should know: These types

ofvehicles–fancysoft-roaders withmeltingrooflinesandrestyled rear quarters – may have been pioneered by a rival brand but they’ve found a modicum of sales success, not just because they appear a little bit sexier and individualist,butalsobecausethey oﬀer a fast-back arrangement to therearhatchopening.

More info: Although this presents a problem when opening the large lid in conﬁned spaces (a fact cemented by the many paint chips in this white press vehicle’s rear spoiler) it does ease the entry of large or bulky objects. Like a mountain bicycle. Or marketing material for a Mercedes-Benz club meeting.

Whyyoushould:Hereyoumay stumble upon an unexpected fan base, where chrome and hubcaps usually reign supreme. I was constantlysurprisedbytheamount of adoring fans, primarily for this vehicle’s stylish looks, closely followed by the sophisticated interior with its well-executed balanceofcomfortandtechnology

The2.9-litrehybrid-turbo-diesel straight six is an absolute peach, shining with great power, hilarious torque from just above idle, a wonderfullydarkvoice,andinmost scenarios, amazing fuel efficiency Mercedes-Benz claims an average of around 7.5L/00km. With an 80L tank, open-road cruising should get you into four-figure distances betweenfill-ups.

Watch the acceleration video here

Whyyoushouldn’t:Itsprimary problem was the asking price of at least 2.3 million Rand, and I typed “was” because this iteration of the vehicle – a GLE 400d – is no longer available to purchase. Its direct replacement is the GLE 450d, for a whisperunder2.4millionZAR.And just like the 400d, it only comes in thesportyAMGLinetrimoption.

Whatelse?But,Mercedes-Benz has somehow managed to coax a beautiful amount of softness from the otherwise agile suspension. It

never fails to amaze me, with every singleGLEIhavepiloted,howgentle yettaughttherideofthesevehicles is. In fact, every single one had me wondering if the optional air suspensionhadbeenﬁtted…

In summary: It may seem expensive and ostentatious to some,orcomplicatedtoothers,yet I guarantee that just a few minutes in the cossetting luxury of this GLE Coupé will turn the harshest critics into, in the very least, smiling appreciators.

Mercedes-Benz includes a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty and 5year/00,000km maintenance plan witheachnewGLE450d. ■

SPEC LIST

Engine:

Transmission: Max. Power: Max. Torque: Avg. cons.: 0-100km/h: Top Speed: List Price:

2,925cc i-6 turbo-diesel* 9-speed Auto, RWD 243kW @ 3,600rpm

700Nm @ 1,200rpm

Claimed 7.5L/100km

6.28s (claimed 5.7)

Claimed 240km/h

N.L.A.

BENZ LENS

10 Taaibos Avenue, George, 6530 | www.mercedesbenzclub.co.za

The only oﬃcially recognized Mercedes-Benz Club in Southern Africa Member of the SA Motor Club Association

Waldo Scribante (President) 082 802 3280 | president@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Annalie Kachelhoﬀer (Vice President) 084 205 5411 | vicepresident@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Johan Kemp (Treasurer) 083 457 1092 treasurer@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Johan Krogh (Chairman: Northern Region) 082 495 1650 northern@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

René Scribante (Chairperson: Southern Cape) 083 627 6757 scape@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Jaco Kachelhoﬀer (Chairman: Central Region) 082 771 1731 central@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Marlize Heroldt (Membership Secretary) 073 305 6214 | 086 684 0235 membership@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Hanjo Stier (Editor) 082 646 4099 editor@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Marlize Heroldt (Regalia Oﬃcer) 073 305 6214 | 086 684 0235 regalia@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Jan-Willem Wielsma (National Secretary) 082 461 5883 secretary@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Jürgen Apel (Chairman: Western Cape) 083 325 9925 wcape@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Fabian Cairns (Chairman: Eastern Cape) 082 900 0359 ecape@mercedesbenzclub.co.za

Avish Maharaj (Chairman: KZN) 061 507 8803 kzn@mercedesbenzclub.co.za Club Approved Insurance Brokers

Jacana Administrators

087 997 0200 audrey@jacana.africa MUA Insurance Acceptances 0861 682 467 info@mua.co.za

iTOO (Aﬃnitoo) 010 500 6063 https://link.aﬃnitoo.co.za/merc

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PLEASE NOTE: The placement of ads is a service rendered to our members. Neither the editor nor the committee accepts any liability pertaining to condition or ownership of goods advertised. It remains the responsibility of the reader to investigate these issues before closing any transaction. DISCLAIMER: The Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa, although an authorized user of the Mercedes-Benz Trademarks, is an independent organisation and the views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those Mercedes-Benz SA, Mercedes-Benz Group AG or Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and should not be interpreted as ofcial club policy. While great care has been exercised in the compilation of the material published, members are advised to personally verify information, statements and claims before committing themselves to acts on transactions.