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words - Gautam Sharma
German coachbuilder unleashes a two-door version of the Maybach 57 S... and it actually looks half decent

We showed you the design sketches in May, and now here are the first images of the real deal.

Pictured alongside is the Maybach-based Xenatec Coupe, conceived to offer opposition to the ultra-snooty Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and Bentley Brooklands.

Created by German coachbuilder Xenatec -- with the blessings of Maybach -- just 100 examples will be built and sold, but even flogging this number could prove a challenge given the hefty asking price (ex-Germany) of 675,000 euros ($966,000) plus taxes.

The bespoke coupe started life as a standard Maybach 57 S, but the comprehensive makeover has resulted in a car that's both lower and wider than the donor vehicle.

The B pillar now sits 20cm closer to the rear of the car, and the doors, side panels and fenders are also unique to the coupe, as are the front and rear bumpers, taillights, exhaust pipe and rear diffuser. It rides on bling-laden 20-inch rims, but customers can opt for 21-inchers for an even showier stance.

In case some of you have noticed the car's resemblance to the dramatic Exelero -- a joint Maybach and Fulda Tyre Company project -- it's because both vehicles were penned by Fredrik Burchhardt.

Xenatec says each car will be tailored to individual customer specification and handcrafted in Germany. In the words of the company: "The opportunities for personalisation, even extending to armouring the car, are almost boundless."

The Xenatec Coupe's swoopy profile is the result of steeply raked front and rear windscreens, but the company claims this has been achieved "without compromising passenger comfort".

The options list will include most of the goodies available for the Maybach 57 S, as well as a full glass roof.

Mechanically, the car is as per the 57 S, which means power comes from a thumping twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 engine with 450kW and an absurd 1000Nm.

Quite clearly, the whole car is OTT, but we have to grudgingly admit it looks a damn sight better than the visually challenging Maybach it was derived from... but that wouldn't be too hard, would it?

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Powered By Motoring.com.au Published : Wednesday, 6 October 2010


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