According to the specifications of Emil Jellinek, in 1900 Wilhelm Maybach developed the 35 hp Mercedes, which was the first “real” automobile by present-day standards. This new Daimler caused a revolution in March 1901 and became the worldwide standard for automobiles. Its front-mounted four-cylinder in-line engine was bolted directly to the new, pressed-steel frame and had the sensational output of 35 hp (26 kW). The engine speed was regulated between 300 and 1000 rpm by a lever on the steering wheel. The cylinders and cylinder head formed a single unit and for the first time the crankcase was made of aluminum. The power-to-weight ratio was now only 6.6 kilograms per horsepower, and one year later it fell to just 4.6 kg/hp. The intake valves were no longer controlled automatically, but by camshaft, like the exhaust valves.

The car featured a spray-nozzle carburetor, honeycomb radiator, cooling fan, gear-type oil pump, water pump and magneto ignition. Equally new features of the car included a very compact, self-adjusting spring-band clutch, a single gearshift lever moving in a gate to operate the four-speed transmission, and a heavily inclined steering column. The significantly longer wheelbase, wider track and wheels of virtually equal size on both axles gave the car a high level of handling stability. The brakes were matched to the raised engine performance. The Mercedes was fitted with 30 centimeter wide drum brakes on the rear wheels, operated via a linkage by a manual lever. The foot-operated service brake acted on the drive shaft.

The first unit of this innovative car developed by Wilhelm Maybach was supplied to the person who had ordered it – Emil Jellinek – on December 22, 1900. Jellinek’s daughter Mercedes was the inspiration for the new model designation of the vehicles from Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft: Mercedes. In March 1901, the 35 hp Mercedes scored spectacular victories during the Nice Week. The automotive world heralded the beginning of the “Mercedes era.”