2010-10-04

XENATEC Coupé - based upon the Maybach 57 S

XENATEC is proud to announce the launch of the XENATEC Coupé built by the Karosserie Manufaktur Weinsberg - a division of XENATEC Group - in cooperation with Maybach.

Created in 2002, the Maybach is undoubtedly one of the finest cars ever built. A powerful combination of state of the art technology, superior driving performance and opulent use of the finest materials places the Maybach in a league of its own.

Based upon the Maybach 57 S limousine, this dynamic interpretation of driver-oriented luxury sets new standards in terms of exclusivity – only 100 units will be built by hand in Germany for discerning enthusiasts worldwide, and will be offered at an ex-Works price of 675,000 excluding taxes.

The XENATEC Coupé was designed by Fredrik Burchhardt, creator of the dramatic Exelero (a joint Maybach and Fulda Tyre Company project in 2004-2005), to surpass the highest expectations - fulfilling the needs of those who prefer to savour the Maybach experience from the driver's seat, enjoying the thrill of being at the helm of a high-performance flagship for the discerning connoisseur. A technical masterpiece offering uncompromised comfort together with ample space and superior agility.

The evolution from limousine to coupé has involved major changes to bodywork and interior, but none to the drivetrain - and to the already impressive performance - of the Maybach 57 S upon which the XENATEC Coupé is based.

In November 2009, XENATEC Group acquired the Special Purpose Vehicles Division of the renowned ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer concern in Weinsberg, Germany. Located near the birthplace of Wilhelm Maybach, this is home to a passionate team of experts.

Perpetuating the centennial tradition of ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer, this highly specialised company designs and produces bespoke vehicles such as armoured limousines and individual luxury automobiles for VIP clients. Moreover, XENATEC supplies automotive OEM clients with a broad range of white-metal components for specialised vehicles, as well as building prototypes and test vehicles for several German car manufacturers.

Drawing upon this vast reservoir of experience, XENATEC has designed and engineered the transformation of the highly exclusive Maybach 57 S limousine into an exciting and even more exclusive luxury coupé.

Every single car will be built to individual customer specification and handcrafted in Germany. The opportunities for personalisation, even extending to armouring the car, are almost boundless.

Compared to the Maybach 57 S limousine, major changes have been made to the immensely strong bodywork, which has been completely redesigned and engineered and features new doors allowing for easy access to the rear passenger compartment.

The windscreen and rear screen are more steeply raked for a sporty silhouette, lowering the roofline without compromising passenger comfort. A full glass roof can be fitted if desired, as can almost all other options available for the Maybach 57 S.

The doors and side panels as well as the front and rear fenders are new, as are the front and rear bumpers. Rear track is increased by 20 mm, and the standard 20-inch wheels allow for a marvellously supple ride whilst the optional 21-inch wheels sharpen handling to sports car levels - bringing the Maybach experience to the driver's seat.

Want to get your hands on a Maybach coupe? You've got two options. First would be to commission a replica of the Exelero concept car on the chassis of a Dodge Viper. That'll set you back €550,000, or about $730k at today's conversion rates. Your other choice is to have Xenatec convert a Maybach 57 S limo into a coupe for €675,000 ($894k).

We brought you initial news of the project back in May, followed by details in October. For a quick refresher, the German coachbuilder brought in Fredrik Burchhardt, designer of the original Exelero, to pen the modified shape for the coupe. The result keeps most of the saloon's mechanicals in place – including the 600+ horsepower twin-turbo V12 – only with modified bodywork, cabin and (of course) two longer doors instead of four.

Seen until now only in sketches, the Xenatec Maybach coupe has been (awkwardly) dubbed the Cruiserio, and it has just made its debut at Daimler headquarters in Stuttgart. The project is now being underwritten by a €70 million ($93M) investment from AutoKingdom of Saudi Arabia. Over the course of three years, Xenatec and AutoKingdom ambitiously anticipate building 100 examples, and say they've already got enough orders to keep them busy for the next year or so. Can't wait that long? The first example is up for sale out of Riyadh, with a price tag of just under a cool million.

- XENATEC -
Geneva is host to first public appearance of the XENATEC
Coupe based on the Maybach 57 S
For the first time, XENATEC is presenting a customer-specified XENATEC-Coupe
(so called: Cruiserio) based on the Maybach 57 S to coincide with the 81st
International Auto Salon in Geneva from March 1st through 6th. The presentation
of the car, which will take place in a specially constructed pavilion in the gardens
of "La Réserve" Hotel on the banks of Lake Geneva, also marks its world
premiere.
The coupe was configured by XENATEC designer Fredrik Burchhardt to customer
specifications and then built exclusively for him. The paintwork on this one-off is a
matte finish applied by hand in several layers to create a shimmering brass tone.
The overall paint finish is completed by a delicate silver along the vehicle's flanks.
This particular stylistic treatment – a hallmark of all Maybach automobiles – is the
final touch to the work of art that is the XENATEC-Coupe and utterly unparalleled
worldwide.
To sum up - designed by artists, manufactured for connoisseurs.
The interior is utterly exclusive, created from a stunning combination of buffalo
hide in its natural, non-dyed mid-brown and dark nappa leather in espresso
brown, all hand-stitched by master craftsmen. The vehicle footwells are lined
entirely in soft Alcantara© finished in a warm blackberry tone. The same
"blackberry" tone is also used as a contrasting color for the leather piping around
the seats. The overall effect is further enhanced by the headliner finished in
nappa leather to create a stunning contrast in this uniquely sumptuous feast of
color, which is beautifully displayed at all times thanks to the custom-built
panorama roof.
To sum up – the highest form of individualization, executed with perfect
craftsmanship.