Power. When that word resonates, automotive marvels like the Mercedes Maybach Exelero immediately spring to mind. This isn’t just any car; it’s a unique testament to bespoke automotive engineering and audacious design. Its story, however, begins in an unexpected place: with tires.
The Exelero’s lineage traces back to 1938, to Fulda, a German tire manufacturer with a vision. Fulda sought to test its new line of high-performance tires, the ‘Fulda Carat Exelero,’ and needed a vehicle capable of pushing these tires to their absolute limits. They commissioned coachbuilders Dorr & Schreck, who partnered with Maybach Motorenbau and aerodynamicist Freiherr Reinhard Koenig Fachsenfeld, to create a high-speed testbed. This collaboration resulted in the ‘W38 Stromlinienfahrzeug,’ a streamlined machine built to endure sustained speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph). This predecessor laid the groundwork, both conceptually and aesthetically, for the future Exelero.
Decades later, nearly 70 years on, Fulda again required a vehicle to showcase the capabilities of their next-generation tires. The objective was clear: create a modern marvel that not only honored the spirit of the W38 but also surpassed its performance, targeting a top speed of 217 mph. The project demanded a design that was both a tribute to history and a bold leap into the future.
Surprisingly, the prestigious task of designing this ultra-exclusive Maybach was entrusted to four students from the Pforzheim Design Academy. After a nine-month competition, the concept from Fredrik Burchhardt was selected. Mirroring the W38’s construction – a custom body on a Maybach SW38 chassis – the Exelero was conceived as a striking coupe body atop the robust platform of a Maybach 57 limousine. This blend of bespoke design and existing Maybach engineering ensured both visual drama and mechanical reliability.
The Maybach Exelero is an imposing vehicle in person. Drawing on Maybach’s history of building tank engines in the 20th century, the Exelero feels every bit as substantial. It stretches nearly 7 feet wide, 20 feet long, and stands 5 feet tall, housing a powerhouse of an engine beneath its sculpted hood. Given its considerable weight of over two and a half tons, a potent engine was essential. Maybach equipped it with a V12 engine, but to achieve the targeted 217 mph and beyond, significant enhancements were necessary. Engine displacement was increased to 5.9 liters, and upgrades included a larger radiator, enhanced turbochargers, and intercoolers. These modifications catapulted the Exelero from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.3 seconds, demonstrating its raw power and performance capabilities.
After 25 months of meticulous development, the Mercedes Maybach Exelero was unveiled to the world on May 11, 2005, at the Tempodrom in Berlin, Germany. However, the Exelero had already fulfilled its primary mission before its public debut. Weeks earlier, at the Nardo Ring, it had achieved a top speed of 218 mph, surpassing the initial target and validating its high-performance design and engineering.
With its purpose served, Maybach offered the Exelero for sale. Its ownership history is as fascinating as its creation. Initially purchased for $5,000,000 by diamond industrialist Andre Action Diakite Jackson, the Exelero briefly entered popular culture when it was loaned to Jay-Z for his “Lost One” music video. Later, it was acquired by European entrepreneur Arnaud Massartic for an undisclosed sum. In 2011, it reappeared on the market with an $8,000,000 price tag, sparking widespread attention, particularly when rapper Birdman publicly expressed his intention to buy it, although the actual transaction remains unconfirmed.
Current speculation suggests the Mercedes Maybach Exelero resides in the collection of Frank Rickert, founder of Mercedes-Benz tuner Mechatronik. While it has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, it made a notable appearance on Supercar Blondie’s YouTube channel, reminding the world of its continued allure.
The Mercedes Maybach Exelero remains an icon. With its instantly recognizable silhouette and immense power, it stands as a proud and unparalleled member of the Maybach legacy, embodying exclusivity, performance, and a unique chapter in automotive history tied to the pursuit of tire technology.
