All these models occupied the absolute top segment in the automotive world, along with brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac and other demised luxury car manufacturers.

Now, DMG and Maybach intended to improve this further by providing "comfort by means of simplicity", hence the name Simplex.

In 1902, Maybach decided to incorporate a series of modifications to the Simplex, anticipating a large number of sales.

To suit their basically high society clients, the new Mercedes would be shown publicly "while driving through the most traditional avenues in town or to picnic in a park".

[3] Also in 1902, in the United States, a Mercedes Simplex won the 5-mile track race at Grosse Pointe, Detroit.

He had already set several records with the previous Mercedes, in some of the most popular races around the turn of the century, usually long distance ones.

Meeting Maybach personally at Berlin's automobile exhibition of 1903 Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany expressed his admiration for the car.

Mercedes Simplex' framework was long, wide and with a low center of gravity, giving an improved stability at high speeds.

The engine's power was taken from a sprocket flywheel, 60 cm in diameter, transmitting it to the rear drive by a long roller chain.

The 'gate gear' manual gearbox featured four speeds and reverse, controlling a coil spring clutch acting on the flywheel system.

Maybach's tubular honeycomb radiator featured a rectangular grill of 8,070 square shaped pipes of 6x6 mm, with improved airflow.