At the largest exhibition in Abu Dhabi dedicated to hunting and equestrian sports (Adihex), besides traditional exhibits such as falcons, Arabian horses, and hunting rifles, a striking sight was presented—a G-Wagon covered in diamond dust.
One of the most notable items at this annual exhibition was a Mercedes G-Wagon valued at 13 million dirhams. This vehicle is adorned with 3 kg of diamond dust, features gold-plated elements, and has a roof sculpted to resemble an Arabian horse.
Nearby was another spectacular exhibit—a safari-style G-Wagon valued at 4.7 million dirhams. It is finished with Italian leather, features crocodile skin details, and is equipped with an exclusive interior designed for long desert journeys. Both vehicles are displayed by the Polish luxury vehicle customization specialist Carlex at Adihex, where they stand alongside other unusual exhibits.
The 13-million-dirham vehicle, named Carlex One of One Stallion, is truly a unique piece in the world, according to Konstantinos Zertalis, CEO of the Carlex division in the MENA region. This transport is inspired by the Arabian horse and continues the company's previous line of work—creating the Falcon, which is also positioned as an exclusive collector's car. Now, the company has presented its horse-inspired successor in Abu Dhabi.
Zertalis emphasized: 'We also call it Stallion, one of one. We cannot make two. It is simply one in the world that will never be repeated.' The most impressive feature of this vehicle is its roof. Instead of simple paint, Carlex created a textured, sculptural surface using a special engraving technique. The company reports that seven layers of hand-brushing and seven layers of diamond dust were used in the finishing process.
Zertalis explained that the diamond dust is not merely sprinkled over the paint. Carlex has patented its method of incorporating diamond dust into automotive coatings, as well as its hand-brushing technique. The result is a roof that catches light differently as the vehicle is viewed, possessing a tactile, almost forged appearance. Gold details add another level of luxury, and the interior is lined with high-quality, handcrafted leather elements, continuing the horse theme, as described by Zertalis.
The production of the Stallion takes about six months, with only the roof work requiring over 3000 hours of labor. This is a vehicle that makes the phrase 'customized G-Wagon' sound like a strong understatement.
The second vehicle, Safari Grande Royal, is less flashy but perhaps more suited to the Adihex environment. It is one of only 25 vehicles that Carlex plans to produce globally, and Abu Dhabi hosts its Middle Eastern debut. Zertalis reported that Carlex acquired the base versions of these vehicles in 2023, before the completion of this series, and stored them with less than 500 km mileage before undergoing extensive modification this year.
The company essentially replaced the standard seats with its own wider ones, using high-grade Italian leather, linen, and crocodile skin elements throughout the cabin. Upon closer inspection, it is visible that the doors have been treated as part of the design, not just as functional panels. The interior combines leather with natural fabrics, and crocodile skin details appear in several areas of the cabin. Ventilation systems are also integrated into the seats, which is an important feature for a vehicle intended for travel in hot climates.
Unlike many ultra-luxury cars that mostly remain in garages, the Safari Grande Royal is designed for outdoor use. The rear section and roof of the vehicle are equipped for extended trips, including accessories such as a tent, umbrella, and chairs that can be deployed when using the vehicle in the desert. Zertalis noted that Carlex clients genuinely use their vehicles for outdoor events, although he cautioned that these machines are not for everyone.
The Safari Grande Royal requires about three months to complete and costs 4.7 million dirhams. Zertalis added that Adihex is the first place in the world where this specific model is publicly presented.
Carlex initially focused on modifying various luxury vehicles, including other high-end sports cars, but about three years ago decided to concentrate its work almost exclusively on the Mercedes G-Wagon. The reason was simple: it is one of the most demanded vehicles among its clients.
Currently, the company operates a factory in Poland with approximately 90 employees and opened its own showroom in Dubai in January of this year, according to Zertalis. The business was founded by Damian Skotnicki, whom Zertalis called the designer and creative genius of the company. The idea was not just to make expensive cars even more expensive. Carlex aimed to create modern vehicles that retain the technology of modern cars but look and feel like something from another era.