Cool-off time is frequently needed with this car. As its recalibrated air suspension hisses like a dragon, I learn more about the project. The cooperation between Maybach and Fulda dates back to 1938, when the carmaker conceived a radically shaped streamliner, the W38 Stromlinienfahrzeug, with special body by Drr & Schreck, for high-speed tire testing. Almost seven decades later, the two marques teamed up again to crack the 350-kph (217-mph) barrier. "In a way, the Exelero was built around our new 315/25YR-23 Carat Exelero tires," explains Fulda's Stohrer. Weissinger nods in agreement: "That's why the coupe is 6.3 inches wider than a standard 57/62, at 84.3 inches wide."

While the platform, the suspension, and the fuel tank were taken largely from the sedan, a second firewall had to be added, and the seats, the steering column, and the pedal box were moved back by 15.7 inches. As a result, the Exelero looks and feels like a proper coupe, not like a two-door notchback. Interestingly enough, the proportions and dimensions of the 2005 version are quite close to those of the prewar original.

On the long back straight of the track, the Exelero's aerodynamic qualities are patently obvious. Despite the in-your-face frontal area, front-end lift is well contained. Three manually activated tail spoilers keep the rear planted. The drag coefficient of the model made from the winning proposal of Fredrik Burchhardt was 0.35 when it first checked into the wind tunnel, but that was trimmed to 0.28 by selectively blocking off the air intakes, lowering the ride height, fitting a flush underbody, covering the rear wheel arches, and mounting dished wheel rims.

"The Exelero is the work of four students from the renowned design academy in Pforzheim," explains Leschke. "They started off with a given packaging concept and with the brief to come up with a modern, unique, and innovative shape. I am very happy with Burchhardt's winning effort, which meets Fulda's mission and advances design to a point hat may well provide valuable insight for future production models."