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2005 Maybach Exelero Concept

2005 Maybach Exelero Concept

In the automotive world, industry giants often use specialty vehicles to promote their products, a practice that has resulted in some of the most glamorous and far-out vehicles on earth. Fulda Reifenwerk, a German tire manufacturer and member of the Goodyear tire conglomerate, may have just topped the worlds best, with the one-off 700-horsepower Maybach Exelero Coupe highlighting the unveiling of its new Exelero super-wide high- performance tire.

Over the past 100 years, Fulda has commissioned several specialty vehicles to demonstrate and model its tires performance abilities. In 1997, a special 650-horsepower Gembella-tuned 993 Porsche 911 was produced in honor of its Extremo tires, and in 2000, Fulda also

Fulda Reifenwerk, a German tire manufacturer, has unveiled a one-off 700-horsepower Maybach Exelero Coupe. (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

commissioned a one-of-a-kind art-truck with a uniquely shaped trailer.

The longest relationship, however, dating back nearly seventy years, is between Maybach and Fulda. In the 1930s, the world held its breath, as contestants such as Auto Union (now Audi), Mercedes-Benz and Maybach attempted to break world speed records on Germanys mirror-smooth autobahns. Maybach made the car, Fulda made the high-speed

Over the past 100 years, Fulda has commissioned several specialty vehicles to demonstrate and model its tires performance abilities. (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

tires.

The Exelero is the modern-day equivalent to these demons of speed, carrying the same rich history, which can be traced back to Maybachs track star, the one-of-a-kind SW 38. This car, like many other speed-challenge racers, was commissioned by an outside source, ironically enough, Fulda in its early years. Used to test the high-speed capabilities of its tires, the beautiful, streamlined two-door had one main goal - breaking the 200 km/h (125 mph) speed

Fulda boss Bernd J. Hoffmann outlined one main goal which the Exelero must achieve - breaking a speed barrier, in this case, 217 mph (350 km/h). (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

barrier.

The basis of the SW 38 was the world-famous Zeppelin chassis; however, it used a lighter 140-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine instead of the typical V12 to meet its goal. In conjunction with its aerodynamic skin and high speed-capable tires, the SW38 was able to surpass its designers expectations.

Sixty-six years later, the Maybach and Fulda tire team are back together, initiated by the magnificent brands rebirth by DaimlerChrysler. As with the original SW 38, Fulda boss Bernd J. Hoffmann

The shape and image of the Exelero includes elements from several different designs. (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

outlined one main goal which the Exelero must achieve - breaking a speed barrier, in this case, 217 mph (350 km/h). An engineering dream-team, which included world-famous engineers, stylists and developers, consulted and aided in the building of the special-purpose machine.

When Maybach and Fulda first set out to build the SW 38 in the early 30s, their main purpose was to create a record-breaking vehicle regardless of its shape or size. While this is still a primary goal with the Exelero, the two companies wanted a limousine that paid homage to the original. The job of styling what would become the Exelero was granted to Pforzheim Polytechnicals

Compared to Maybachs current product lineup, the Exelero is from a completely new page. (Photo: Fulda Reifenwerk)

Design Department, which worked in conjunction with the Design Department at DaimlerChrysler AG. The shape and image of the Exelero includes elements from several different designs, some of which include the split rear window of the 63 Corvette Stingray, to graceful 1930s American speedsters, to the rear hull of a boat.

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