DARTZ is as flamboyant as the vehicles they produce. Supposedly, the company dates back to the mid-19th century, building coaches for Russan Tzars starting in 1869, and later aircraft and even spaceships.
DARTZ, an acronym for Division Automobile Riga Tank Zavod, delights in taking things a step above and beyond the norm. Even its logo is decidedly showy, with orange and black colors evoking the Order of St. George, a medal received for RussoBalt’s (one of its former subsidiary companies) work with the first Russian motorized infantry squadron.
Previous DARTZ vehicles like the $225,000 T-98 Kombat and the $125 million Red Diamond Prombron were just the beginning. Now comes word of the Black Snake, DARTZ’s most ambitious and over-the-top vehicle yet.
Based on the Mercedes GL 63 AMG, it’s the brand’s first non-armored vehicle. The 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8′s 557 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque reportedly propel the beast from 0-60 MPH in 4.9 seconds.
DARTZ’s styling cues remain the same with its signature boxy exterior, although it does employ an S-Class influenced cabin that will be outfitted with a jaw-dropping load of snazzy touches. Chiefly, there’s the Bang & Olufsen head unit, some shark skin floor mats, as well as a variety of exotic leathers including snake, crocodile, ostrich as well as whale penis skin.
The grille has golden flourishes, the hood is covered in gold leaf made to look like snake scales, and buyers can also choose to install an optional diamond-encrusted hood ornament. At no additional cost, you’ll get 56 grams of Mottra caviar delivered once a month during the car’s two-year warranty.
Of special note are the several varieties of leather found in the upholstery, including whale penis foreskin. Captain Ahab ain't got nothing on the new Black Snake SUV.
Targeted at Chinese ultra luxury customers and celebrities like Kanye West–who bought two Prombron models for $1 million per–pricing has yet to be announced, but given the pedigree it will likely go for some ungodly amount. Somehow, we doubt even Kobe Bryant, the ‘Black Mamba’, will be in the market for a new DARTZ.