Dartz
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Predecessor | Russo-Balt |
---|---|
Headquarters | Riga , Latvia |
Products | Dartz Prombron |
Owner | Leonard F. Yankelovich |
Parent | Dartz Grupa OÜ |
Website | dartzmotorz |
Dartz Motorz Company is a privately held Latvia-based company, subsidiary of Estonian corporation Dartz Grupa OÜ, that designs, manufactures, and sells high performance armored vehicles.[1][2][3] The company constituted itself from a renovated former Russo-Balt factory in Riga, Latvia.[4][5]
Product lineup
[edit]In 2009, Dartz attained notoriety with its Prombron model, in part because it was originally available in upholstered leather made from the foreskins of whale penises,[6] which the company subsequently dropped after the controversy was publicized.[7]
The Prombron came in nine distinct models: Iron Diamond, Iron Xtal, Monaco Red Diamond Edition, Black Dragon, Black Russian, Gold Russian, Aladeen, White Horse, and Monako.[8]

Since September 2014, the product line consists of Prombron Black Shark[9] and Black Snake.[10] The Prombron is available in either the Saloon (sedan) or the Pullman (wagon), offered in standard, short, or long wheelbase.[11]

In 2010, Red Sea Distribution announced that the T-98 Kombat would be available in North America for a list price starting at $225,000.[12][13] However, just two years later the T-98 Kombat was phased out, and the Prombron was released.[citation needed]
Dartz's Prombron Monaco Red Diamond Edition was shown at the 2010 Top Marques in Monaco,[14] with an expected price of €1,000,000 ($1.25 million), it would become the world's most expensive SUV.[15] The features included white gold-ruby[clarification needed] encrusted embedded badges as well as gold-plated, bullet-proof windows, an exhaust system made out of tungsten, diamond-ruby[clarification needed] encrusted gauges, and Kevlar exterior coating. It also comes with three bottles of the world's most expensive vodka, RussoBaltique.[16]
In 2022 the company announced plans to drop its "Z" logo, to apparently portray itself away from its Russian origins in the Russo-Balt company. A diamond skull sign replaced it.[17] Their web shop however, was as of May 2025 still marketing luxury "Z" incrusted products interspaced with weaponry images.[18]
Its website explains what animal skin the interior couches are made of, or how it smells, without actual information about the armor rating or vehicle's performance.[19]
- Removal of "Z" from Dartz Logo
In March 2022, the Latvian luxury and armored vehicle manufacturer **Dartz Motorz** announced the removal of the letter **"Z"** from its company logo. The decision came in response to the use of the letter "Z" as a pro-war symbol by Russian military forces during the invasion of Ukraine.
Historically, the "Z" in Dartz's name referred to the Russian word *"Zavod"*, meaning "factory", acknowledging the company's roots in the former Russo-Baltic Wagon Factory (RBVZ). However, due to the contemporary political and military connotations of the symbol, Dartz officially distanced itself from the letter. In its place, a **diamond shape** was introduced into the logo, symbolizing timelessness and strength—“because diamonds are forever,” the company stated.
Despite this change, Dartz retained its iconic **winged skull emblem**, preserving its distinctive brand identity while making a clear political and ethical statement.
The company made the announcement publicly via social media, and it was subsequently covered by Austrian news outlet *Kronen Zeitung*.
- Reference:**
- Kronen Zeitung. (25 March 2022). *Militärautobauer Dartz entfernt Z aus dem Logo*. [1](https://www.krone.at/2665033)
See also
[edit]- Kombat Armouring continues production of the T-98 Kombat
References
[edit]- ^ "Investor Relations". Dartz World. Dartz Motorz (dartz.us). 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Contact Us". Dartz World. Dartz Motorz (dartz.us). 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Dartz Motorz Company". Dartz World. Dartz Motorz (dartz.us). 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Factory Tour / Dartz Motorz Company". Dartz World. Dartz Motorz (dartz.us). 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "History". dartzkombat.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Exclusive: Dartz Monaco Red Diamond Edition". Archived from the original on 8 October 2009.
- ^ "Foreskin Removal: Dartz Prombron drops the whale penis". Autoblog. 10 November 2009.
- ^ "Models". Dartz Motorz (dartz.us). 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Black Shark". Dartz Grupa. 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
- ^ "Black Snake". Dartz Grupa. 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
- ^ "Prombron' - general info, body styles, main car models". Models. Dartz Motorz. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ Red Sea Distribution official Website
- ^ Ramsey, Jonothan (October 2010). "zenvo-st1 gets a US distributor and a price". AutoBlog.
- ^ "Road Test: Dartz Prombron Wagon". GT Spirit. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ tom (2012). "World's Most Expensive SUVs". most-expensive.net. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ Blackburn, Richard (16 October 2009). "The 4WD with seats made of whale penis". Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "Symbol für Putin-Krieg Militärautobauer Dartz entfernt Z aus dem Logo". Kronen Zeitung. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Opulent Boutique - opulence". Dartz. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Black Stallion". DARTZ. Retrieved 2 August 2022.