Sasha Baron Cohen's new flick The Dictator features the titular character driving around in a gold-plated armored SUV built by the Vodka enthusiasts at Latvian truck-maker Dartz. To celebrate the tie-up, Dartz announced a $750,000 version of their battle truck called the "Gold Aladeen Edition" after Cohen's fictitious dictator.
The SUV won approval from none other than Pamela Anderson at Monaco this weekend — no short feat given her attitude towards Cohen and Dartz.
There's a lot to digest in this story, so I'm going to start with the email I received from Dartz's "Leo F. Yankelovich" under the subject "piece - whale penis saga finished."
Hi Jalopnik,
Dream of Borat Sagdiev & Leonard F. Yankelovich visited top marques monaco show...
PIECE!!!
as You may know every who will buy DARTZ Aladeen Edition have to make sex with General Admiral Aladeen.
So - the car is professionally approved :-)
Save The Whales!
Live from Top Marques Monaco :-)
Ok, how to translate that?
Dartz famously offered a $1.5 million SUV that featured authentic whale penis leather. Actress Pamela Anderson complained on ethical grounds, causing Dartz to cut the idea short (they love Pamela Anderson).
Cohen, as Borat, stalked Pamela Anderson in the film of the same name. She was clearly in on the joke, but until now it wasn't clear how much Anderson cared for the insane Latvians who keep putting her in their emails.
Anderson was apparently at the Top Marques in Monaco this weekend, which is a car show for the most excessive and expensive cars in the world. She seems to have stopped by the Dartz booth, causing no shortage of laughs and erections.
It was there they launched the Aladeen Pombron. Here's the full press release from The Republic of Wadiya announcing the new vehicle. We're including it here in full because it's hilarious:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM HIS EXCELLENCY ADMIRAL GENERAL ALADEEN – SUPREME LEADER, ALL TRIUMPHANT GENERAL, BELOVED OPPRESSOR, AND CHIEF OPHTHALMOLOGIST OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF WADIYA
His Excellency Admiral General Aladeen has graciously granted his express permission for Dartz Motorz, manufacturer of ultra-luxury armored vehicles and exclusive provider to the Wadiyan government motor pool, to offer limited edition commemorative vehicles honoring the Ruthless Protector of the Precious and Expendable People of Wadiya. Like civil rights in Wadiya, this offer will not be around for long.
Named for the undemocratically and forcibly elected Leader of Wadiya, the gold Aladeen Edition armored vehicles will be revealed to the people of the world at the Top Marques Monaco show under the high patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. Top Marques Monaco, held at the Grimaldi Forum April 19 - 22, is revered as the world's most exclusive supercar show where drivers experience firsthand the latest state-of-the-art machines on the prestigious Formula One racetrack, the Circuit de Monaco, mere weeks before the famous race takes place. A race that Aladeen has already won.
The Dartz Motorz PROMBRON (ex.RussoBaltique) vehicle comes from a long line of armored vehicles more than a hundred years in the making; it was originally built in 1912 for Russian Tzar Nikolai II. The PROMBROM was also NOT used in the accidental hit-and-run death of Wadiyan political opposition leader Maran Harouri, nor in the accidental repeated running over of the six witnesses to the hit-and-run.
Labeled the "World's Most Expensive Armored Car," the PROMBRON is the fastest and most maneuverable luxury armored all-road vehicle in the world. With supercar power and the technology of a spaceship, it boasts very unique protection capabilities from level B2 to B7+, providing occupants with resistance to RPGs and .50 caliber high velocity armor piercing rounds (or as Aladeen calls them, "love letters from his people.")
Furthermore, all Dartz vehicles come equipped with patented 3" ionized glass, also RPG resistant. Each vehicle is handmade with great attention to sumptuous detail, exemplified in the exotic hand-stitched leathers and wood used in the interior, reclining massage seats, champagne bottle chillers and wine racks. And there's room in back for up to six kidnapped actresses or faded supermodels.
Ten Aladeen Edition vehicles will be made available as part of this limited offer. MSRP ranges from $500,000 to $750,000 (USD). Actual price will vary depending on equipment and package options. (Price excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options.) By purchasing one of these vehicles you are also legally agreeing to have sex with Aladeen.