The Models

DARTZ Black Dragon: The Pullman Built for China, and Its CLV Return

By DARTZ Editorial · 30 September 2026

The DARTZ Prombron’ Black Dragon was announced in February 2012 for China only: a Pullman saloon 600 mm longer than the standard car, with three doors on its right side, a jewelled dragon badge and an optional Lead Zeppelin armour package. At least twelve were built. For the 2024 Year of the Dragon, DARTZ announced the Black Dragon CLV on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, open for orders from 3 December 2023.

In February 2012 DARTZ announced a car for one market only. It gave it a dragon for a badge, three doors on one side and a name that would come back, twelve years later, for the next Year of the Dragon.

At a glance

	Black Dragon (2012)	Black Dragon CLV
Announced	February 2012	1 December 2023
Market	China only	To order, with a special Chinese version
Built	At least twelve	Limited edition, each with a certificate
Body	Pullman saloon, 600 mm longer, three doors on the right	Pullman saloon on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS
Armour	Optional Lead Zeppelin package	Armoured or non-armoured, GBOL; shooting-tested on camera, 2024

Made for China, 2012

GT Spirit reported the launch on 22 February 2012: a Black Dragon edition only for the Chinese market, at least twelve cars, 600 mm longer than the regular model, in a 3+1 door layout with three doors on the right-hand side. DARTZ called it the world’s most expensive SUV.

The details were all dragons. A badge on the grille in diamonds, gold and rubies. A silver-plated dragon on each wing. Silver-plated roof rails with Chinese patterns, and wheels carrying a dragon logo. Inside, black piano lacquer inlaid with dragons, a 42-inch 3D television, satellite TV and Wi-Fi.

For clients who needed more than prestige, the Lead Zeppelin package added lead inserts inside the body panels and special lead glass.

Silver-plated sill with a dragon in relief on the Black Dragon CLV

A dragon every twelve years

Since it entered China, DARTZ has marked the lunar years with its cars, though not every one: as DARTZ put it, no one wants to drive a car named after a Green Rat. The Black Snake 2K13 followed for the Year of the Snake, the White Horse for the Year of the Horse and, in 2022, the orange Black Alligator Black Tiger Moon Edition. When the calendar came back to the Dragon, so did DARTZ.

The Black Dragon CLV

DARTZ announced the Black Dragon CLV on 1 December 2023, with orders opening two days later. CLV is the Roman numeral 155: 2024 marked 155 years since the Russo-Baltic works were founded in Riga in 1869.

The DARTZ Prombron’ Black Dragon CLV head-on in a stone courtyard, its DARTZ lettering above a barred grille

It is built on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, reshaped by DARTZ’s GBOL technology into a Pullman-saloon body. Clients choose armoured or non-armoured. DARTZ says the armoured car weighs about as much as the Maybach it starts from, so it keeps its pace, and that the non-armoured car comes out lighter still. DARTZ filmed its shooting tests in 2024.

A reel-to-reel tape system by Metaxas & Sins is part of the specification. DARTZ also announced a special Chinese version.

A chauffeur’s white glove on the coach-door handle of the Black Dragon CLV

Ordering

Every Black Dragon CLV is specified to the client: armour, cabin and finish are agreed in a private consultation with the office of Leonard F. Yankelovich, not chosen from a brochure.

About DARTZ

DARTZ is a Riga carrosserie that builds bespoke, opulent vehicles, armoured or non-armoured, in strictly limited numbers. It calls them BONDs: Bespoke Opulent Noble Drives.

Its heritage runs back to the Russo-Baltic Wagon Factory (RBVZ), founded in Riga in 1869, whose automobile department built its first car in 1909. Leonard F. Yankelovich revived that heritage as DARTZ in 1988. The group, DARTZ Grupa OÜ, is registered in Tallinn, Estonia.

Its Prombron’ models, from the Iron Diamond and Black Dragon to the Black Shark, Black Alligator and Black Stallion, have been covered by Top Gear, Forbes, Robb Report and Fox News, among many others.

Questions we are asked

What is the DARTZ Black Dragon?

A Pullman-saloon BOND that DARTZ built for the Chinese market in 2012, and its successor, the Black Dragon CLV, announced for the 2024 Year of the Dragon.

How many Black Dragons were built?

At least twelve of the original 2012 cars, all for China, as GT Spirit reported at the launch.

What was the Lead Zeppelin package?

The optional armour package of the 2012 Black Dragon: lead inserts inside the body panels and special lead glass.

What is the Black Dragon CLV based on?

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS, rebuilt with DARTZ's GBOL technology into a Pullman-saloon body, armoured or non-armoured.

Is there a Chinese version of the Black Dragon CLV?

Yes. DARTZ announced a special Chinese version alongside the CLV.

Can I order a Black Dragon CLV?

Yes. Orders opened on 3 December 2023, and armour, cabin and finish are agreed in a private consultation.