The Maybach Exelero, a coupe car of grandiose proportions and spectacular performance, marked recent automotive history as a rare and extravagant project. Equipped with a twin-turbo V12 engine that delivers 700 horsepower, this unique vehicle reached an impressive speed of 351.45 km/h, exceeding expectations in high-speed tests.
Its conception arose from a special order placed by a tire manufacturer, Fulda, which needed an exclusive car to evaluate new products in extreme conditions. Although the main intention was to develop tires, projects like Exelero push the limits of automotive engineering, with innovations that, in the long term, can influence the design and technology of mass-production vehicles, benefiting safety and performance for the end consumer.
V12 propulsion expanded to reach 700 horsepower
The basis for the Maybach Exelero was the already luxurious Maybach 57, but its original twin-turbo V12 engine was enlarged to 6.0 liters. This modification was crucial to achieving the ambitious 700 horsepower necessary for the speed target that the project required.
The Exelero design originated at the Technical University of Pforzheim in Germany, under the guidance of the ideas of Fredrik Burckhardt. He took inspiration from the aerodynamic lines of the Maybach SW38 Strömlini, a classic model from 1938, to create the silhouette of the new coupe.
Maintaining the aesthetics of the period with a two-tone paint job and an imposing front grille, the vehicle featured a gently curved roof that culminated in a boat-shaped rear end, giving it a unique appearance. The light alloy wheels resembled those of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, but there was also the possibility of installing aerodynamic hubcaps for optimization.
The construction of the car, which started from the Maybach 57 chassis, was carried out by Stola, a renowned bodybuilder from Turin, Italy. The A-pillars were repositioned, a partition was integrated into the cabin and a massive coupe body, made from aluminum and carbon fiber, was carefully assembled.
Fulda set a target speed of 350 km/h, which required more than the 550 horsepower produced by the Maybach 57’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 engine. To achieve the required 700 hp, the engine’s displacement was increased to 5980 cc, and the turbo pressure was also adjusted to deliver the desired power.
Record of 351.45 km/h on the Nardò circuit
The Exelero was completed in 2005. In May of the same year, Fulda organized a rigorous maximum speed test at the famous Nardò Circuit, located in southeastern Italy, with experienced driver Klaus Ludwig at the wheel.
During the race on the high-speed circuit, the Exelero surpassed the expected mark, recording 351.45 km/h. Ludwig expressed his admiration for the vehicle’s remarkable stability, indicating that the car had the potential to reach even greater speeds.
Despite the success, Fulda did not seek new speed marks, as the press release was already ready and highlighted the exceeding of 350 km/h.
In the following years, the Exelero made notable appearances at car shows and television shows, cementing its iconic status. In 2006, the vehicle was featured in the music video for “Last One”, a single by acclaimed American rapper Jay-Z.
Rapper received an offer of US$8 million for an exclusive model
Although Jay-Z was a fan of Maybach vehicles, he never purchased the Exelero after the photo shoot. The high cost may have been a determining factor in the deal not going through. Rapper Birdman also showed strong interest, even offering 8 million dollars, but the transaction was not finalized.
The car was later purchased by a European collector, who was later revealed to be Friedhelm Loewe. Known for his vast automobile collection, which includes an aluminum-bodied 300SL and a CLK GTR race car, Loewe certainly understood the historical value and exclusivity of the Exelero.
In a recent interview, it was possible to turn on the Exelero’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine, which has a maximum torque of 103.7 kgfm, for the first time in many years. Although the airbag warning light came on, no other significant problems were noted.
It was discovered that the vehicle has a storage compartment behind the rear panel, which is currently defective. Given the single-model nature of the Exelero, obtaining replacement parts is a considerable challenge.