Stuttgart, Germany — April 11, 2025 — The Mercedes-Benz Museum invites visitors on a nostalgic ride through the automotive icons of the 1990s and 2000s with its new “Youngtimer” special exhibition, running from April 11 to November 2, 2025. Set in Collection Room 5, this vibrant showcase features ten legendary Mercedes-Benz models and brings back the cars that defined a generation.
Designed to stir memories and emotions, the “Youngtimer” exhibition is a tribute to the vehicles that millennials dreamed of in their youth. With vivid staging, interactive elements, and storytelling installations, the exhibition captures the spirit of an era when innovation, luxury, and driving pleasure met bold design.
Contents
Highlights of the Youngtimer Exhibition
Thematic Zones with Iconic Models
Each section of Collection Room 5 features curated vehicles presented on immersive display islands that reflect the lifestyle and culture of their time:
- Easy Life: A celebration of 90s freedom with the SLK 230 Kompressor (170 series) and CLK Cabriolet (208 series)
- Supersonic: Power meets prestige with the 190 E 2.5 EVO II (201 series), E 500 Limited (124 series), and SLR McLaren Roadster (199 series)
- Subculture: Unconventional cool with the rare E 60 AMG (210 series)
- Refinement: Luxurious sportiness represented by the CL 600 (215 series) and CLS 350 CGI (219 series)
- Space: Visionary design and technology with the SL 500 (129 series) and Vision R 320 CDI (251 series)
More Youngtimers on Display
Beyond the main exhibit, additional young classics are featured in oversized “model car” display boxes in the museum’s multistorey car park through mid-October 2025, including:
- A 160 “Häkkinen” (168 series)
- CL 500 (140 series)
- ML 500 (163 series)
- Vision CLK 320 CDI (209 series)
- C 55 AMG (203 series)
On the “Classic” island between Levels 0 and 1, the A-Class HyPer concept car (168 series) will be on view until mid-June 2025.
Automotive Innovation Meets Interactivity
Visitors can experience the fun and flair of the era with AI-powered interactive stations:
- 90s-style arcade racing game
- AI music video generator
- Face Swap tool to place yourself in retro images
- Custom dream car creation with digital youngtimer visuals
These hands-on experiences add a playful, modern twist to the nostalgic atmosphere, making the exhibition appealing to both car lovers and curious newcomers.
Featured Vehicles in the Youngtimer Exhibition
Main Gallery – Collection Room 5
| Model | Series | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II | 201 | 1990 |
| E 500 Limited | 124 | 1994 |
| E 60 AMG | 210 | 1997 |
| SLK 230 Kompressor | 170 | 1997 |
| Vision CLK 320 CDI Cabriolet | 208 | 1998 |
| CL 600 | 215 | 1999 |
| SL 500 | 129 | 2000 |
| Vision R 320 CDI | 251 | 2005 |
| CLS 350 CGI | 219 | 2006 |
| SLR McLaren Roadster | 199 | 2007 |
Outdoor Displays – Multistorey Car Park
| Model | Series | Year |
|---|---|---|
| A 160 “Häkkinen” | 168 | 1998 |
| CL 500 | 140 | 1998 |
| ML 500 | 163 | 2004 |
| Vision CLK 320 CDI | 209 | 2005 |
| C 55 AMG | 203 | 2007 |
Classic Island Exhibit
| Model | Series | Year |
|---|---|---|
| A-Class HyPer Concept | 168 | 1999 |
Why the Mercedes-Benz Youngtimer Exhibition Matters
This special exhibition isn’t just about cars—it’s a cultural time capsule. Whether it’s the groundbreaking tech of the Vision R 320 CDI, the motorsport influence of the A 160 Häkkinen, or the futuristic concept of the CLS 350 CGI, each vehicle tells a story of ambition, design evolution, and lifestyle shifts from two decades ago.
The “Youngtimer” showcase connects visitors emotionally with vehicles from their past while highlighting Mercedes-Benz’s design legacy and innovation trajectory heading into the future.
