Mercedes-Benz G-Class builds can get extraordinarily expensive, but Carlex Design has taken the idea into another league. Its new G-Stallion is a one-off creation valued at €3 million, or roughly $3.5 million.
The centerpiece isn’t a bigger engine or an outrageous set of wheels. Instead, it’s the roof, an elaborate piece of hand-shaped and engraved metalwork that Carlex says required over 3,000 hours of manual labor.
The Polish customization specialist created the G-Stallion as part of its “One of One” program, which focuses on unique vehicles built using traditional craftsmanship. Inspiration came from Arabian horses, specifically Pogrom, a celebrated stallion associated with Poland’s historic Janów Podlaski Stud.
Carlex will publicly premiere the G-Stallion at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, running from August 28 through September 6. With its equestrian inspiration and multimillion-dollar price, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting venue.
That Roof Took More Than 3,000 Hours
View this post on Instagram
Carlex says the roof began as a completely flat sheet of aluminum rather than a prefabricated panel. Craftspeople gradually formed it into the required shape using traditional coachbuilding hammers and wooden bucks, with preparation of the underlying form alone requiring around two months.
Only after the panel had been shaped could work begin on its intricate relief. The surface was engraved by hand using traditional chisels and engraving tools, eventually producing a large horse motif surrounded by elaborate decorative patterns.
Different finishes were then applied across the metalwork, combining silver with a dark patina and restrained pale-gold detailing. The result looks closer to an enormous piece of jewelry or engraved metal artwork than anything normally fitted to an SUV.
There’s some irony in putting the most labor-intensive component on top of a tall G-Class, where it’s difficult to appreciate from ground level. Then again, subtlety clearly wasn’t the main consideration behind this particular project.
The Rest Of The G-Class Wasn’t Ignored
Carlex didn’t spend thousands of hours on the roof only to leave everything below it standard. The G-Stallion receives a substantial exterior transformation that includes widened fenders, redesigned front and rear bodywork, custom detailing, and a carefully coordinated dark finish.
The modifications preserve the familiar upright shape of the G-Class while giving it a considerably more imposing stance. Rather than chasing the increasingly common exposed-carbon look of high-end modified SUVs, Carlex has leaned heavily into traditional materials and handcrafted decoration.
An Equally Elaborate Interior
The cabin follows the same philosophy. Deep maroon leather covers much of the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, center console, and door panels, while Alcantara and genuine metal components add further texture.
Hand-engraved trim appears throughout the interior, complemented by unusual metal buckles and decorative details. Even the cargo area’s tailgate receives an elaborate upholstered treatment, ensuring the craftsmanship doesn’t suddenly stop behind the rear seats.
Carlex says the G-Stallion’s configuration is permanently closed now that the vehicle has been completed, meaning it won’t build another identical example. The company argues that recreating thousands of hours of handmade work with precisely the same decisions and imperfections would be impossible anyway.
At around $3.5 million, the G-Stallion costs supercar money several times over. Whether someone considers it worth that figure depends largely on how much value they place on craftsmanship, although spending 3,000 hours on a roof certainly gives this G-Class a distinction few other custom builds can claim.