Arabian horse-inspired One of One Stallion takes six months to build, with its roof alone requiring over 3,000 hours of craftsmanship.
Falcons, Arabian horses, hunting rifles and traditional crafts take centre stage at Abu Dhabi’s biggest hunting and equestrian exhibition — but one unusual attraction is stealing the spotlight: a G-Wagon covered in diamond dust.
One of the most eye-catching displays at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) is a Dh13-million Mercedes G-Wagon adorned with 3kg of diamond dust, gold-plated details and a sculpted roof inspired by the elegance of the Arabian horse.
Parked alongside it is another attention-grabbing model — a Dh4.7-million safari-themed G-Wagon featuring Italian leather, crocodile-skin accents and a bespoke interior built with long desert journeys in mind.
Both vehicles are being showcased by Polish luxury car customiser Carlex at Adihex, where the striking G-Wagons stand out among the exhibition’s more unconventional displays.
The Dh13-million vehicle, known as the Carlex One of One Stallion, is quite literally a one-of-a-kind creation. According to Constantinos Zertalis, CEO of Carlex’s Mena operation, only one such vehicle exists in the world.
Inspired by the Arabian horse, the Stallion follows Carlex’s earlier Falcon model, another bespoke, one-off collector’s vehicle created by the company.
Now, the horse-inspired creation has made its way to Abu Dhabi.
“We also say Stallion, one of one. We can’t make it twice. It’s just one in the world, never to be repeated,” Zertalis said.
The vehicle’s most striking feature is its roof.
Instead of a conventional paint finish, Carlex has crafted a textured and sculpted surface using a specialised engraving technique. The company says the finishing process involves seven layers of hand-brushing and seven layers of diamond dust.
The diamond dust is not simply scattered across the paintwork, Zertalis explained. Carlex has patented its technique for incorporating diamond dust into automotive finishes, along with its distinctive hand-brushing process.
The result is a roof that reflects light differently from every angle, while its textured surface gives it an almost hammered appearance.
Gold-plated accents add to the vehicle’s extravagant look, while the cabin features what Zertalis described as top-grade leather, with handcrafted details carrying the Arabian horse theme throughout the interior.
The Stallion takes around six months to build, with the roof alone requiring more than 3,000 hours of work.
It is a vehicle that takes the idea of a “customised G-Wagon” to an entirely different level.
From safari to super-luxury
The second vehicle is less extravagant than the Stallion, but perhaps even more at home in the surroundings of Adihex.
The Safari Grande Royal is limited to just 25 units worldwide, with Abu Dhabi hosting the model’s Middle East debut.
According to Zertalis, Carlex acquired the base vehicles in 2023, shortly before production of that generation ended. The vehicles were subsequently stored with fewer than 500km on their odometers before undergoing extensive customisation this year.
Carlex removed the standard seats and replaced them with wider bespoke versions, while the cabin has been finished with premium Italian leather, linen and crocodile accents.
Almost every part of the interior has been incorporated into the design. Even the doors have been transformed from purely functional elements into part of the overall aesthetic. Natural fabrics are combined with leather throughout the cabin, while crocodile detailing features in several areas. The seats also include ventilation systems, designed to provide greater comfort in hot climates.
Unlike many ultra-luxury vehicles that rarely leave private garages, the Safari Grande Royal is built for outdoor adventures. Its roof and rear section are equipped for extended desert trips, with items such as a tent, umbrella and chairs that can be deployed when the vehicle is parked.
Zertalis said Carlex customers do take their customised vehicles on outdoor excursions, although he acknowledged that such cars appeal to a very specific clientele.
The Safari Grande Royal takes around three months to complete and carries a price tag of Dh4.7 million. According to Zertalis, the example displayed at Adihex is making its global public debut.
Why G-Wagons?
Carlex initially worked on a variety of luxury vehicles, including high-performance sports cars. However, around three years ago, the company decided to focus almost exclusively on the Mercedes G-Wagon.
The reason was straightforward: the iconic SUV was among the most sought-after models among its customers.
The company now operates a factory in Poland with around 90 employees and opened its first Dubai showroom in January this year, Zertalis said.
Carlex was founded by Damian Skotnicki, whom Zertalis described as the company’s designer and creative force behind its distinctive creations.
The goal, however, was never simply to take an already expensive car and make it even more costly.
Instead, Carlex set out to create modern vehicles that retain the technology and performance of contemporary cars while capturing the appearance and character of another era.
“We decided to create a model that will be a luxury car looking like a vintage,” Zertalis said. “The latest technology car, but look outside like a vintage.”
That philosophy is evident in both vehicles displayed at Adihex. Beneath the elaborate customisation are modern G-Wagons, but almost every visible element has been redesigned or reimagined.
Although the company has spent the past few years concentrating on G-Wagons, Zertalis said Carlex plans to return to modifying other sports cars from January next year, with new models expected to be unveiled around then.
For now, however, the stars of its Abu Dhabi display remain firmly four-wheeled, four-wheel-drive and built for two very different kinds of adventure — one designed for the safari and another that looks ready for a place in a private automotive museum.
