Dubai Motor Show

Along with the Desert Gold Edition SLS AMG, the Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG Kompressor "Edition 79" was also introduced at the Dubai Motor Show. Since the Gulf region represents its biggest market for the top-end SUV, it only made sense for Mercedes to do something special for this event.

This limited edition model will be finished in "designo mango alanite grey", a paint color seen exclusively on SLS AMG. It features a front-mounted crash bar, carbon side strips and chrome protective grills all around. Inside, two-tone leather seats in black/sand and lots of carbon-fiber trim adorn the cabin. As the name indicates, only 79 examples of this special G-Wagen will be available, each with its own number designation emblazoned on the front of the selector lever.

By now, we're used to seeing some pretty garish finishes on exotic cars coming from the Middle East. Over the years, we've witnessed everything from rides with chrome wraps to 24 karat gold plating. The brighter, the louder, the gaudier the better it would seem. But until the 2009 Dubai Motor Show, we had yet to encounter an OEM manufacturer who had caved to this aesthetic. Custom shops typically perform the painting and special appliques that have the rest of the world screaming the equivalent of automotive blasphemy. However, Mercedes-Benz has decided to follow the path of least resistance and embrace this cultural quirk.

Enter the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG "Desert Gold" Edition, a tasteful rendition of the German automaker's latest supercar done up in a garb that would make any sheik proud. Beside the vibrant matte paint job, the trim, badging and grill work have gone from chrome to high-gloss black for a striking contrast. The wheels follow the same motif as well with painted black insets and a gold rim flange.