Maybach Exelero Is an Angry $8 Million Masterpiece
One-of-a-kind screaming twin-turbo V12 Maybach is capable of speeds over 200 miles per hour and weighs in at nearly 6,000 pounds.
Once upon a time, a German tire company commissioned an insane Maybach show car to showcase their performance tire range. The car’s name, Exelero, comes from the Fulda Carat Exelero performance tire series. It features a 5.9 liter twin-turbo V12, and it sounds mind-bending. Maybach is not often associated with loud and angry exhausts, but then, this isn’t exactly a regular Maybach.
Youtuber Supercar Blondie, whose real name is Alex Hirschi, takes us on an exclusive tour of the one-off beast. She gives a quick walkaround and explains how the car came about. Upon releasing the tire, Fulda wanted to prove their worth for this type of application.
“How are we going to prove that our tires can work on a heavy, fast car? Let’s build one,” said Hirschi, explaining that the tire company concluded that having a car explicitly built around the use of the tires would be a great promotion for them.
At 5,864 pounds, they certainly hit the heavy nail on the head.
Once inside, she shows that the interior is not entirely complete or refined. This is due to it being a concept car. Though not quite to typical Maybach standards, its sole purpose is to go fast.
“It’s quite weird, actually. You’re looking at a logo that is known to be like the ultimate luxury car. The Maybach, and you’re not in the ultimate luxury. That’s kind of an interesting juxtaposition,” she said.
After the quick interior tour, Hirschi turns the key and lets the fierce V12 roar. A quick couple revs and you’re immediately hooked. This thing sounds absolutely bonkers. It’s got a deep throaty roar with just a subtle hint of turbo whistle.
With the engine started, she puts on the four-point racing harness and takes it out for a spin on the private airstrip.
“Race seatbelts in a Maybach. Never before in my life have I seen anything like this,” she said.
The Exelero is not the pinnacle of luxury.
This car is unapologetically loud. Just the slightest touch of the pedal and it’s likely as loud as the airplanes its cruising past on the runway. Not only that, but creature comforts did not make the top priority list. The car not only has no air conditioning, but it also has no air vents at all.
“It smells like you’re driving a gas station. You smell constantly fumes,” said Hirschi as she cruises along.
That all goes out the window when you put your foot down, though. To get a feel for the speed, she puts her foot down and lets all 700 horsepower go to work with an angry growl.
“It’s fast. It’s not the fastest car. What you really feel is the sound from the engine. That makes it feel four times as fast as it actually is,” she said
It is owned by Mechatronik, a private collection in Germany and a chance to see it in action does not come up often. So enjoy the video, because it’s a rare occasion indeed.