Based on similar programs from the high-profile launch of Fulda Extremo tyres in 1996, and the Maybach SW 38 speed car from the 1930s, the DaimlerChrysler Maybach Exelero is positioned to be an impressive ambassador for Fulda's newest ultra-high performance tyre.
'It has accomplished its goals, but we know it can do more,' said Bernd Hoffmann, Fulda Germany managing director. 'A few weeks ago, the car set a world record for limousines on standard tyres.'
The car hit 351 km/h (217.9 mph) on southern Italy's Motodrom Nardo, a 12.5-kilometer (7.7-mile) circuit. The test driver, Klaus Ludwig, a three-time German racing champion, said, 'It was unbelievable how easily the vehicle could be handled at this record speed. Particularly, the tyres conveyed an absolutely safe feeling. Everything was simply 'just right' - technology, chassis and tyes.'
The car weighs in at more than 2.66 tons and has the dimensions of a small truck that can achieve record-breaking speeds. The turbo-charged 5.9 liter engine delivers 700 horsepower to 23-inch rims that weigh just 23 kilograms (50 lbs), each crafted from a solid block of metal weighing 257 kilograms (566 lbs).
But the car is more than just a speed machine. The interior detail in black and red is pure luxury, featuring industry - leading technology and stunning design, according to Hoffmann.
The original Maybach SW 38 captured the automotive world's imagination in 1938 with its aggressive style and blinding speed. The company tested its tyes at more than 200 km/h (120 mph), but the car never entered widespread production.
Fulda is marketing the Carat Exelero tye to sporty drivers who want to experience shorter stopping distances on wet roads, safer handling and lower noise. It's available in 33 sizes and 39 versions, ranging from 15 to 23 inches.
The tye also has the benefit of being 'certified" by Germany's leading independent test institute, TÜV, for 'performance and manufacturing' after detailed tyre tests and extensive production monitoring. The award is the first time the Munich-based organization has honored a tyre manufacturer for an outstanding product.