11:13 10-05-2026

Carlex Design's Mercedes-AMG G 63: A Leather-Wrapped Safari Lodge

Carlex Design has taken the Mercedes-AMG G 63 and transformed it from just another pricey G-Wagen into something close to a mobile safari lodge. The project's most striking feature is the leather on the outside: the front bull bar, roof rack components, ladder, and spare tire mount on the rear door are all wrapped in leather.

The truck itself is finished in beige, with select parts getting wood trim. The G 63 receives new bumpers, a grille bearing the Carlex logo, side steps with a gold-tinted finish, and vintage-style wheels. The white-wall tires only reinforce the sense that this vehicle was built not for city streets, but for a luxurious adventure somewhere between the desert and a private game reserve.

The interior has been fully revamped as well. Inside, you'll find two-tone upholstery, Carlex badges, belts, bottle holders, a pull-out table in the cargo area, and an umbrella that deploys when the tailgate opens. Based on the images, the roof can accommodate an expensive travel module or tent.

The powertrain seems to have been left largely untouched—and that's no issue. The standard Mercedes-AMG G 63 already packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 585 hp and 850 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, with a top speed of 220 km/h.

Carlex hasn't disclosed an official price for the project. A standard G 63 starts at around 193,327 euros in Germany and $195,500 in the U.S. With this level of customization—leather on the body, bespoke accessories—the final bill could easily exceed half a million dollars. This isn't tuning for power; it's a showcase of how expensive a taste for adventure can be.