Power. The very word conjures images of immense force and capability. In the automotive world, few vehicles embody this concept as profoundly as the singular Benz Maybach Exelero. This exceptional automobile, with its distinctive silhouette and unparalleled performance, stands as a testament to automotive artistry and engineering prowess, instantly commanding attention wherever it goes.
The story of the Maybach Exelero is rooted in a unique collaboration that stretches back to 1938. Fulda, a renowned German tire manufacturer, envisioned a specialized vehicle to rigorously test their new line of high-performance tires, the Fulda Carat Exelero. To bring this vision to life, they enlisted coachbuilders Dorr & Schreck, tasking them with constructing an automobile capable of sustained high-speed runs at 200 km/h (124 mph). Dorr & Schreck, in turn, partnered with the prestigious Maybach Motorenbau and aerodynamic expert Freiherr Reinhard Koenig Fachsenfeld. This collaboration culminated in the creation of the ‘W38 Stromlinienfahrzeug’. This imposing machine was designed to be both heavy and exceptionally fast, perfectly suited to push Fulda’s innovative tires to their absolute limits.
The historical W38 Stromlinienfahrzeug, a predecessor to the Maybach Exelero, showcasing aerodynamic design for high-speed tire testing.
Looking at the W38 Stromlinienfahrzeug, automotive enthusiasts might notice a striking resemblance to the modern Maybach Exelero. This visual echo is deliberate and deeply significant. Nearly seven decades later, Fulda once again sought to commission a vehicle to showcase their latest tire technology. It was crucial that this new project not only achieved even greater speeds – targeting 217 mph – but also paid direct homage to the legacy of the original W38 project.
The design challenge for this ultra-exclusive Benz Maybach was surprisingly entrusted to four students from the Pforzheim Design Academy. Over a period of nine months, the students presented their concepts, and ultimately, the vision of Fredrik Burchhardt was selected as the winning design. Mirroring the construction of the W38, which featured a streamlined body on a Maybach SW38 chassis, the new Exelero was conceived as a striking coupe body expertly crafted upon the robust chassis of a Maybach 57 limousine.
The sheer scale and presence of the Maybach Exelero are breathtaking. Maybach’s historical expertise in building engines, including those for tanks in the 20th century, is palpable in this vehicle. Measuring almost 7 feet in width, an astounding 20 feet in length, and nearly 5 feet tall, this automotive titan exudes power. Beneath its sculpted hood resides a formidable V12 engine, an absolute necessity to propel this two-and-a-half-ton behemoth to extraordinary speeds. To surpass the targeted 217 mph mark, the engine underwent significant enhancements. Displacement was increased to 5.9 liters, and the engine was further fortified with larger radiators, turbochargers, and intercoolers. These meticulous adjustments resulted in blistering acceleration, launching the Exelero from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.3 seconds.
After 25 months of dedicated development and construction, the Benz Maybach Exelero was officially unveiled to the world at the Tempodrom in Berlin, Germany, on May 11, 2005. Adding to the triumph of the unveiling, the car had already accomplished its primary objective: exceeding 217 mph. Weeks prior to its Berlin debut, the Exelero reached a peak speed of 218 mph at the Nardo Ring proving ground, solidifying its status as a true high-speed marvel.
Once the Exelero had fulfilled its purpose for Fulda’s tire testing program, Maybach offered this unique creation for sale. Over the years, it has changed hands several times, each transaction adding to its legendary status. Initially, diamond industrialist Andre Action Diakite Jackson acquired the Maybach Exelero for $5,000,000 and famously loaned it to Jay-Z for his “Lost One” music video, further cementing its place in popular culture. Subsequently, European entrepreneur Arnaud Massartic became the owner for an undisclosed sum. In 2011, the Exelero was once again offered on the market, this time with an $8,000,000 price tag. This sale garnered significant media attention, fueled by rapper Birdman’s public declaration of his intent to purchase the car, although it remains unconfirmed whether the transaction was finalized.
Current speculation suggests that the Benz Maybach Exelero is now part of the collection of Frank Rickert, the founder of Mechatronik, a renowned Mercedes-Benz tuner. While it has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, the Exelero made a notable appearance in an episode of Supercar Blondie’s popular YouTube channel, reminding the world of its continued allure.
With its instantly recognizable and aggressively elegant design, coupled with its immense power and exclusive nature, the Benz Maybach Exelero proudly stands as an icon within the Maybach lineage, representing the pinnacle of automotive luxury and performance. This one-of-a-kind vehicle is more than just a car; it’s a rolling sculpture, a symbol of automotive ambition, and a true legend in its own right.
