Maybach Unveils Fulda-Commissioned 350 KM/H+ Exelero Coupe

While it's true that the underlying achievement for the Exelero was to exceed its target speed, there were other goals

The shape of the finished Exelero is a combination of four separate designs, which include elements such as the split rear window of the '60s Corvette Stingray, to the rear hull of a speedboat. (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

that both firms agreed upon. The two companies wanted a limousine that paid homage to the original in terms of styling and image. The job of styling the car fell to Pforzheim Polytechnical's Design Department which came up several potential designs. The shape of the finished Exelero is a combination of four separate designs, which include elements such as the split rear window of the '60s Corvette Stingray, to the rear hull of a speedboat. The main pieces of inspiration, however, were the original 1930s speed machines.

Compared to the Maybach 57 and 62, the luxury marque's current production models, the new Exelero is of a completely different design language. The car is based around the shorter of the two limousines, the 5.7-meter (18.7-foot) long 57, which still gives it a gigantic footprint. What's more, it is slightly longer than the 57 at 230.3 inches, substantially wider at 84.25 inches, yet has an identical wheelbase of 133.5 inches. The only measurement that comes up short on the Exelero is height, at just 54.7 inches tall. Nevertheless, the Exelero never seems as large as it actually is, thanks to a well-proportioned body which features a long hood and a swept back cockpit.

With this concept, Maybach hopes to shake the recently obtained reputation of being an S-Class copycat, and restore the

Maybach hopes to shake the recently obtained reputation of being an S-Class copycat, and restore the glory and prestige of its earlier years. (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

glory and prestige of its earlier years. A new nose, complete with a massive, chrome-clad grille, arched fenders and swept-back headlamps give it a bold, almost menacing demeanor. Rising up from its fenders and along its side profile, several chiseled edges add texture and flair to the window line, which Fulda likens to an F1 racer. The car culminates at a pointed tail with a tapered rear screen, and waterfall tail lamps. To prevent its ingot-like body from being defiled by scoops, vents and spoilers, Maybach craftily stylized the front, side and rear skirts to channel air under the car and into a Venturi diffuser to create downforce and improve ventilation for the engine and brakes at speed.