Power. When you think of this word in the automotive context, certain vehicles immediately come to mind. But no car embodies the sheer concept of power and exclusivity quite like the Mercedes-maybach Exelero. This one-of-a-kind vehicle, with its striking design and unparalleled performance, is more than just a car; it’s a statement.
The story of the Exelero is rooted in a fascinating piece of automotive history, dating back to 1938. Fulda, a German tire manufacturer, envisioned a car specifically designed to test their new line of high-performance tires, the Fulda Carat Exelero. To bring this vision to life, they enlisted coachbuilders Dorr & Schreck, who in turn collaborated with Maybach Motorenbau and aerodynamicist Freiherr Reinhard Koenig Fachsenfeld. This collaboration resulted in the ‘W38 Stromlinienfahrzeug’, a vehicle built to withstand speeds of 200km/h (124mph) for extended periods, pushing the limits of Fulda’s new tires. This historical precedent laid the groundwork for a future icon.
Front three-quarter view of the Maybach Exelero, a high-performance coupe designed for Fulda tire testing, showcasing its sleek lines and powerful stance.
Nearly seven decades later, Fulda sought to recreate history. They desired a new vehicle to showcase their tires once again, a car that would not only pay tribute to the original W38 project but also surpass its performance, aiming for a top speed of 217 mph. The ambitious project to design what would become the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero was surprisingly entrusted to students from the Pforzheim Design Academy. In a competition, four students presented their visions, and after nine months, the design by Fredrik Burchhardt was chosen as the winning concept. Drawing inspiration from the W38, which was a streamlined body on a Maybach SW38 chassis, the Exelero was conceived as a high-performance coupe built upon the robust foundation of a Maybach 57 limousine chassis.
The Mercedes-Maybach Exelero is a true behemoth. Its dimensions are staggering: almost 7 feet wide, 20 feet long, and 5 feet tall. This imposing size hints at the immense power lurking beneath its sculpted hood. To propel this 2.5-ton machine to its target speed, a formidable engine was required. Maybach, known for building tank engines in the past, equipped the Exelero with a modified V12 engine. The original displacement was increased to 5.9 liters, and further enhancements included larger turbos, intercoolers, and a high-performance radiator. These modifications resulted in breathtaking performance figures, launching the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero from 0 to 60mph in a mere 4.3 seconds.
After 25 months of development and meticulous craftsmanship, the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero was unveiled to the world on May 11, 2005, at the Tempodrom in Berlin, Germany. However, the car had already achieved its primary objective prior to the public reveal. Weeks before the Berlin event, at the Nardo Ring, the Exelero reached a top speed of 218 mph, surpassing the initial target and solidifying its status as an extraordinary high-performance vehicle.
Once its purpose for Fulda was fulfilled, the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero entered a new chapter as a highly exclusive automobile available for purchase. Its initial buyer was diamond industrialist Andre Action Diakite Jackson, who acquired it for a staggering $5,000,000. Jackson famously loaned the car to Jay-Z for his “Lost One” music video, further cementing its iconic status. Later, European entrepreneur Arnaud Massartic became the owner for an undisclosed sum. In 2011, the Exelero was once again on the market, this time with an $8,000,000 price tag. This sale garnered significant attention, fueled by rapper Birdman’s public interest in purchasing the car, although it remains unconfirmed whether the transaction was completed.
Current information suggests that the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero resides in the collection of Frank Rickert, founder of Mercedes-Benz tuner Mechatronik. While it has remained relatively out of the public eye in recent years, the Exelero made a notable appearance on Supercar Blondie’s YouTube channel, reminding the world of its continued allure.
The Mercedes-Maybach Exelero is more than just a high-performance car; it’s a rolling sculpture, a testament to automotive engineering prowess, and a symbol of ultimate exclusivity. With its instantly recognizable silhouette and relentless power, the Exelero stands as a proud and unparalleled member of the Maybach legacy, forever etched in automotive history as a truly unique masterpiece.
