That's a half-automatic gear box, so gears but no clutch! (Not bad for the early 60's, as well as hydraulic suspension, power steering and headlights that point where you're driving).
I've even seen it on some American cars. Eventually the shifter for automatics moved to the transmission tunnel (if you had one) as well but it wasn't always so.
I suspect the re-occurrence of this has to do with the mid console in high end cars now more and more occupied with electronics and infotainment rather than the drive train and associated levers.
> ...the same as it would be in some other EU cars
"some" (which, out of interest)?. Not anywhere near being a majority e.g. BMW, Audi, Ford, VW
> Similar to the speedometer erring on the side of caution.
I can do that. I can set it to 119 instead of 120. Leave me in control (OK, it's the cruise control feature, but still...)
Again, the parking pedal is unique(?) to Mercedes. Completely different to expected location and behaviour to most other cars.