The museum exhibits are divided into two central display areas: the Legend rooms and the Collections. There are also two separate display sections ("races and records" and "fascination of technology").
The Legend rooms provide a chronological journey through the history of the Mercedes-Benz brand – from the beginnings of the automobile to the global expansion of the brand. The exhibition rooms themselves are subdivided into three sections: "Illustrated Chronicle", "Scene" and "Workbench". Illustrated Chronicle provides a general overview of key milestones in the company's history. The Scene section, at the centre of the Legend room, displays automotive icons and product innovations of the Mercedes-Benz brand from a specific era. The Worbench section focuses on important breakthroughs in technology and design. There is also a fourth piece in the jigsaw, the "33 Extras", which are in evidence throughout the Museum. They serve to remind us how the invention of the automobile has had an unprecedented impact on mankind.
The Collections bear testimony to the depth and diversity of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Such a wealth of exhibits reflects a lifetime of experience, competence and perfection across a sweeping spectrum of automotive products. They establish a permanent perspective on the achievements of the brand. Based loosely on the structure of thematic collections seen in classical museums, they present an unabridged collection of vehicles and related works in a factual context. In contrast to the chronological configuration of the Legend rooms, the Collections are aligned according to subject in "viewing depots": travel (Gallery of Voyagers), freight transportation (Gallery of Carriers), assistance and services (Gallery of Helpers) and representation (Gallery of Celebrities). The fifth collection, the Gallery of Heroes, presents "Mercedes-Benz as everyday heroes".
"SILVER ARROWS Races and Records" offers an emotion-driven denouement to your Museum visit. Possibly the most impressive of all rooms, it encapsulates the essence of this remarkable museum: the fascination of technology, the beauty of form, the enthusiasm to celebrate the history of a superior brand. Employing emotive vehicles and images, this room records the motorsport tradition at Mercedes-Benz. It also serves to remind visitors of the significance of motorsport for the automotive industry in general and for the Mercedes-Benz brand in particular.
With levels eight to one of the Mercedes-Benz Museum tracing the history of the brand, the "fascination of technology" section spotlights the present day and, above all, the future. This part of the exhibition portrays the "visionary" commitment of the brand, the achievements of company staff and their passionate dedication to safety and the environment – as well as the pursuit of innovation (examples include concept cars and testing scenarios).