The Maybach Exelero has been called everything from Dracula’s Getaway Car to the Most Sinister Car of all time. To its detractors, it is an excessive and over the top concept which helps to explain Maybach’s fall from grace. For enthusiasts, the Excelero is one cool idea which came about for a very specific purpose: to test some very serious tires.
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The Maybach Exelero Recalls the Streamlined Racers of the 1930s
Back in 2003 when it was but a fantasy in the mind of its designer, Fulda, a German division of Goodyear Tires was trying to find the right Mercedes to test its latest innovations on. Maybach had previously offered a similar concept designed to fulfill a similar purpose back in 1938. Back then, the SW38 was capable of achieving 125 mph. The modern successor had to be as fast and heavy as the original to be able to offer a real challenge even for very premier tires.
While Mercedes could have tested the tires on a car like the S55 AMG, or even an SLR Mclaren with an extra heavy driver to compensate for extra weight, they decided to go the whole nine. The end result, the Exelero recalled the 1930s streamlined racers Maybach had always been known for. Unveiled in Berlin in 2005, the 2.6 ton Exelero makes quite the first impression.
Though it is long enough to play a competitive match of badminton on top of it, the Exelero is a simple two seat, two door coupe. Designed in a similar way to the Maybach 57S limousine, it’s cabin is especially roomy lending a feeling of opulence and extravagance. It’s oversize bonnet does little gto hide the absolutely absurd Maybach V12 engine lurking beneath it.
The car was modified from a 5.6 liter engine to a 5.9, with two massive turbochargers added to delivering 691bhp and 737 lb ft. of torque. Massive 23-inch wheels were added. A conservative top speed estimate suggested 217 mph could be easily achieved.
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On May 1st of 2005, the Maybach Exelero set off for its single cruise: a set of timed laps at the Nardo high speed bowl in Italy. Former N24 and Le Mans winner Klaus Ludwig was able to push the Exelero to 218.3mph, besting a record for a luxury limo and even exceeding Maybach’s own expectations.
Since it was unveiled, the Exelero has lived a somewhat challenging life. Back in 2011, U.S. hip hop icon Birdman tried to complete a purchase of the car for $8 million. The “Stuntin like my Daddy” rapper had intended to paint the car a bright, fire engine red. Unfortunately for Birdman however, the existing owner claimed a successful payment was never completed.
While it is uncertain where the Maybach Exelero is now, we can only hope it is getting the respect it so desperately deserves.