- Mercedes-Benz Museum introduces three high-end simulators featuring historic racing and road cars.
- Visitors can drive models like the 300 SLR, Gullwing and EVO II on virtual circuits.
- Simulator sessions cost €14 for ten minutes, with instructor guidance included before driving.
Mercedes-Benz is giving visitors a new way to experience its back catalogue, this time from behind a virtual wheel.
The Stuttgart-based museum has introduced a trio of high-end driving simulators developed with Roarington, allowing guests to sample some of the brand’s most iconic machines on famous circuits.
Classics, reimagined digitally
From the legendary 300 SLR “722” at Monza to the 300 SL “Gullwing” threading through Monaco, the simulators recreate historic cars using detailed digital twins drawn from Mercedes-Benz’s own collection. There’s even the AMG 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II DTM car for those chasing touring car thrills.
The setup goes beyond visuals. Drivers sit in cockpits designed to mimic classic sports cars, with motion systems simulating acceleration, braking and weight transfer. The idea is immersion, right down to the quirks of vintage handling.
Visitors can also turn it into a competitive exercise, chasing lap times set by racing names including Bernd Schneider and Bernd Mayländer.
More than just a game
The hardware is serious kit. Each simulator features a 3D motion platform, 49-inch curved display, dedicated audio system and high-performance computing to run the physics models. Manual gearboxes are standard to reflect the era of the cars, although an automatic mode is available.
Sessions are priced at €14 for ten minutes, with pre-drive guidance from an instructor. The experience is open to anyone aged 15 and over, provided they meet a minimum height requirement of 1.60 metres.
Heritage meets digital future
According to Bettina Haussmann, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the new simulator hub is designed to deepen engagement with the brand’s history: “The simulator hub expands our exhibition with the addition of a new experience offering. For visitors, this means that they can experience the dynamics of rare motorsport icons with greater intensity than ever before since they are the ones behind the wheel – exclusively here at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.”
The project forms part of a broader collaboration with Roarington, which also includes a virtual version of the museum aimed at making historic vehicles accessible beyond the physical site.
For those who prefer their classics with zero risk (and no repair bills), this might be the most accessible way yet to sample some of Mercedes-Benz’s greatest hits.
