Short Answer: The Maybach Exelero reigns as the most expensive Maybach ever created, with its one-of-a-kind prototype selling for $8 million in 2011. This ultra-exclusive grand tourer combines a 700+ horsepower V12 engine with bespoke luxury, originally designed as a high-speed test vehicle for Fulda tires before becoming a symbol of automotive extravagance.
What Makes the Maybach Exelero the Pinnacle of Luxury?
The Exelero’s $8 million valuation stems from its singular status as a functional prototype. Unlike production Maybachs, it features a hand-built carbon fiber body stretching 19 feet long, interior upholstery woven with 24-karat gold thread, and a 700+ horsepower twin-turbo V12 engine modified specifically for tire testing at speeds exceeding 218 mph.
The craftsmanship extends to microscopic details – each dashboard vent required 48 hours of hand-polishing, while the steering wheel alone consumed three weeks of artisan labor. The cabin incorporates whale shark leather (ethically sourced from protected fisheries) and meteorite dust-infused lacquer for instrument panel accents. Maybach’s acoustic engineers even developed a frequency-tuned exhaust system that produces a C-sharp minor chord at 6,000 RPM, creating what the designers called “mechanical opera.”
How Does the Exelero Compare to Other Ultra-Luxury Vehicles?
While modern hypercars like the Koenigsegg Jesko prioritize track performance, the Exelero blends extreme speed with old-world craftsmanship. Its 2005 development cost of $3.3 million (equivalent to $5.2M today) exceeds even the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail’s bespoke pricing. Unique features include a tire temperature monitoring system visible through the dashboard and a trunk-mounted tire pressure calibration kit.
| Model | Price | Horsepower | Top Speed | Units Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maybach Exelero | $8M | 690 hp | 218 mph | 1 |
| Rolls-Royce Boat Tail | $28M | 563 hp | 155 mph | 3 |
| Koenigsegg Jesko | $3M | 1,600 hp | 300+ mph | 125 |
Why Did Maybach Develop Such an Unconventional Prototype?
Commissioned by Fulda tires in 2004, the Exelero served as a rolling laboratory for testing 315/25 ZR23 Carat Exelero rubber at sustained speeds above 200 mph. Maybach engineers reworked the Mercedes-Benz CL600’s V12 to produce 690 hp and 752 lb-ft torque, with a reinforced 5-speed automatic transmission capable of enduring 30-minute full-throttle test cycles.
Who Owns the Only Maybach Exelero in Existence?
After its 2005 debut, the Exelero spent years in Maybach’s Stuttgart museum before rapper Bryan “Birdman” Williams purchased it in 2011 for $8 million. The car later appeared in Jay-Z’s “F.U.T.W.” music video and was reportedly sold to a Dubai-based collector in 2019 through Sotheby’s secretive Private Sales division.
What Technological Innovations Define the Exelero?
Beyond its powertrain, the Exelero pioneered adaptive aerodynamics with a front splitter that extends automatically at 75 mph. The magnesium alloy wheels feature integrated pressure sensors transmitting real-time data to the cockpit. Mercedes-Benz later adapted its tire temperature monitoring system for AMG Black Series models.
How Has the Exelero Influenced Modern Maybach Design?
The Exelero’s dual-cowl hood design reappeared in the 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600, while its vertical LED taillights inspired the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 concept. Perhaps most significantly, the Exelero project proved Maybach’s engineering capabilities to Daimler executives, leading to renewed investment in the brand’s revival starting in 2015.
Contemporary Maybachs inherit the Exelero’s philosophy of “technical jewelry” – the S-Class Maybachs now feature platinum-plated engine bay components visible through glass panels. The latest EQS Maybach SUV directly benefits from the Exelero’s tire sensor technology, using similar pressure monitoring systems optimized for its 22-inch electric-vehicle-specific tires. Designers also credit the Exelero’s asymmetrical cockpit layout (prioritizing driver instrumentation) as inspiration for the current MBUX Hyperscreen interface.
“The Exelero represents a perfect storm of automotive ambition – it’s simultaneously a brutal performance machine and a mobile art piece. That 2005 development cost of $3.3 million would exceed $5 million today when adjusted for inflation. No manufacturer has attempted such an extreme single-purpose prototype since.”
– Dr. Hans-Friedrich Metz, Former Daimler Group Prototype Director
Conclusion
The Maybach Exelero’s combination of bespoke engineering, artistic design, and historical significance cements its status as the ultimate automotive collector’s item. While newer Maybachs like the $500,000 S680 Guard offer ballistic protection, the Exelero remains unmatched in its fusion of extreme performance and handcrafted luxury – a rolling testament to automotive excess.
FAQ
- Q: Has Maybach ever considered producing more Exeleros?
- A: Mercedes-Benz trademarked “Exelero” in 2021, fueling speculation about an electric successor, but no production plans have been confirmed.
- Q: What maintenance does the Exelero require?
- A: The V12 engine needs specialized synthetic oil changed every 3,000 miles, while the carbon ceramic brakes require replacement after 15 hard stops from 200 mph.
- Q: How is the Exelero insured?
- A: Its current owner reportedly maintains a $12 million agreed-value policy through Lloyd’s of London, with a clause requiring armed security during public displays.