EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Maybach planning Bentley Continental killer?

Today in Monterey Mercedes/Maybach were displaying the Excelero concept on the front lawn of the lodge at Pebble Beach.

Sources tell the Spies that they were trying to gauge customer reaction, as they are preparing a smaller but similar version as we speak, that will compete directly with the Bentley Continental.

All we can tell you is that it was wicked cool in person and we can't wait to see this hit the streets.

We also hear this is the design direction for the next generation CL-Series Mercedes.









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Matthew1 - 8/21/2006 2:39:50 AM

+1 Boost

Very striking coupe. Tone down some of the more outrageous features and I can see much promise.

And ditch the Mazda 6 lights- they look cheap.

BMW530i - 8/21/2006 4:37:47 AM

+2 Boost

This car is old news and was only made once - to showcase what Maybach is capable off doing.

I like the side profile and the front, but the rear is hideous.

Also, what's up with the Lexus logos in the bottom right of the photos? Sponsored by Lexus? :p

aalza3eem - 8/21/2006 8:27:08 AM

0 Boost

Why is it that Mercedes can’t afford to make an “Extreme Luxury” Car? Their attempts with the Maybach line could be much more distinguished.
You don’t see a BMW steering wheel in a RR, nor do you see an Audi steering wheel in a Bentley.
The Maybach 63 and 57 both look like a BIG Mercedes, and now this new car looks like an SL covered in new body panels.
They think that their steering wheel and other bits are like Clark Kent, just exchange the 3 pointed star for double M’s and they have Superman, and no one will know it was a Mercedes Bucket piece.
Guess they really have no real money or passion to run an “Extreme Luxury” line.

PlanoA4 - 8/21/2006 8:48:15 AM

+3 Boost

The all new Batmobile

jeffy210 - 8/21/2006 10:44:06 AM

+2 Boost

First time i saw it, it was accompanied with the phrase "Lord Vader, your car is ready". I absolutely love it. I think the rear lights would look better as a solid red strip rather than ricer circles, and also i do not like the interior color scheme, but overall i wish they would come out with this car.

logical - BMW530i was making a joke that Autospies put's "sponsored by Lexus" on the bottom of their pictures, not that the Exelero was sponsored by them. The Exelero was originally made to test a new line of sport tires.

dualexhaust - 8/21/2006 10:49:41 AM

+1 Boost

there must be a monster under that hood

adambravo - 8/21/2006 2:11:20 PM

+1 Boost

Ummm... The Mercedes CL was just launched, which means the next-generation is six or seven years away; I doubt there's any thought yet to the next generation version. And I doubt that Mercedes would draw design inspiration from a Maybach; I think they're learning that Maybachs should look like Maybachs and Mercedes should look like Mercedes--otherwise, why have two brands?

daveking - 8/21/2006 3:36:31 PM

+1 Boost

I don't agree with the editorial comment about design cues of the Excelero incorporated into the next CL. We've seen tons of spy shots, and the new CL will be closer to an S-class 'minus two doors' than the Excelero. Still, this is a s**t ass hot car, and I hope it becomes productized for the excitement it will create. Maybach needs a "halo car" and this could be it.

Agent63 - 8/21/2006 6:16:18 PM

+1 Boost

This car is so ugly it's strikingly HOT~!. It's different and it brings back the old school Maybach styling as well as classic car look period.

The interior may look outdated but not the interior. It will definately grab attention ten times more than a Continental. By the looks of it it may be a little more expensive than a Bentley. We'll see when/if this becomes production.

dualexhaust - 8/21/2006 7:54:38 PM

+1 Boost

agent 63

"The interior may look out dated but not the interior"
LMAO

lexusis350 - 8/22/2006 3:03:52 AM

+1 Boost

The Mercedes-Benz hearse.

Mike - 8/23/2006 2:58:03 PM

+1 Boost

this is Batmanns car

Johnel - 8/24/2006 9:59:38 PM

+1 Boost

The only person buying this car would be darth vader himself. This car will make people notice it by its heavy breathing ran air intake a la Darth Vader.