STUTTGART, May 10 — As far as petrol heads are concerned, all roads lead to Germany, where several automotive giants have their origins and brand museums that are each dedicated to immortalising their respective history, development and future. Here are five pit stops to pull up at.

Porsche and polished

The Porsche Museum first opened in 1976.

Sitting at a junction next to the company headquarters, the current Porsche Museum is an extension of the original that opened in 1976 and could only accommodate 20 rotating exhibits. In 2004, Porsche decided that a new home was needed to showcase its archives and that it would be the most spectacular building project ever known to man. When it finally opened to the public on January 31, 2009, it certainly held everyone in awe: Some 5,600 square metres of exhibition space housing more than 80 models in a massive structure that looks as if it levitates off the ground, with its main building supported by three triangular columns. In between navigating the displays, refuel at their in-house restaurant and coffee bar, or combine your museum visit with a tour of their factory. This past January, the museum presented Project: Top Secret!, a special exhibition covering Porsche prototypes and concept cars over five decades. Porscheplatz 1, 70435 Stuttgart-Zuffenhause. Opens 9am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday; closed Monday www.prosche.com/museum/en

Feast your senses on more than 160 vehicles produced by Mercedes-Benz over a century.

Benz there, done that

In a majestic nine-storey building inspired by the double helix structure of DNA, the Mercedes-Benz Museum documents over 120 years of its history through more than 160 vehicles and 1,500 exhibits. Start at the highest floor and as you work your way down to trace the chronology of the brand’s evolution, ending with a presentation of the company’s day-to-day operations and a glimpse into its future development. Pick up the free audio guide at the entrance, available in eight languages, or download their app into your smartphone for a more comprehensive insight into the displays. There are also guided tours, including one that focuses on the museum’s architecture. Mercedesstrasse 100, 70372 Stuttgart. Opens 9am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday www.mercedes-benz-classic.com

The Audi Forum Ingolstadt’s striking architecture complements what it showcases within.

Form and forum

Like the stunning models the brand rolls out, the Audi Forum Ingolstadt is a sophisticated gallery that employs state-of-the-art technology, visuals and multimedia elements to present its story while drawing references to relevant socio-economic settings. The brand’s own history aside, the Forum also charts the growth of and changes in the automotive scene over the last century and how they impact society, making it a time capsule for the car industry and world at large. Designed to be more than just a car museum but also a lifestyle hub where visitors can easily while a day away, there are several food and beverage options, a wine shop and even conference facilities for corporate use. Ettinger Strasse, 85045 Ingolstadt. Opens 9am-6pm daily www.audi.com

A spiral ramp leads visitors through three floors of BMW Museum’s permanent exhibitions.

Beemer me up

Opened in 1973 as the world’s first automotive brand depository, the BMW Museum was expanded in 2008 to present nearly 90 years’ worth of its most valuable designs within a circular glass-and-steel building nicknamed ‘salad bowl’ for its shape. The interiors are just as impressive: Visitors are ferried along a kilometre-long spiral ramp through three floors hosting seven permanent exhibitions that feature 125 models of cars, motorcycles, and aircraft and racing engines. Past displays have included an important aspect of the company’s product development — the sleek photography that accompanies each new release, ranging from promotional shots to fine art images. BMW Welt, Am Olympiapark 1, Munich. Opens 10am-6pm, Tue-Sun www.bmw-welt.com/en/

The Volkswagen Beetle has never gone out of fashion — it just gets better.

Beetlemania

From the first Beetle to the well-loved Camper and the newest generation Golf, Volkswagen has always lived up to its name (it means ‘people’s car’). It embraces that same approach at its Stiftung Automuseum Volkswagen, the ultimate shrine for enthusiasts of some of the world’s most produced cars. The collection is constantly growing — the production plant that rolls out new models is, after all, just next door — and includes unique models such as the Basket Beetle, whose bodywork and interior side panels took 600 hours to weave. Dieselstrasse 35, 38446 Wolfsburg. Opens 10am-5pm, Tue-Sun http://automuseum.volkswagen.de/en/

Vivian Chong is a freelance writer-editor, and founder of travel & lifestyle website http://thisbunnyhops.com