Mercedes-Benz is Almost Ready to Introduce a New G-Class Cabriolet

Key Points

• Mercedes-Benz unveils a camouflaged G-Class Cabriolet prototype, now entering road and winter testing.
• Special edition model features a soft top, luxury trim, and likely a high price tag.
• Global launch expected in 2026.

Following the sharing of a shadowy teaser image in September, heralding the imminent introduction of a new G-Class Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz has now released clear images of a prototype thereof, with the body still wrapped in camouflage. The trio of images was accompanied by a short spiel announcing that development mules for the new open-top G-Class have begun road and track testing in Austria, where traditional Gs are built by Magna Steyr. After this, the prototypes will head to the chilly climes of Sweden for winter testing to ensure that they live up to the rugged reputation of the regular G-Wagen family. “Future details will be available in future,” concludes the release.

Expect an Astronomical Price, Even Without AMG Influence

The prototype in these images does not appear to have a quad-exit exhaust system, nor any other telltale signs of AMG enhancement, but the vehicle will apparently be a “special edition,” which means limited volumes and a sky-high price. Under the hood, we expect a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six with 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four wheels. But performance will be second to preening for most buyers, and the G-Class Cabrio will allow them to soak up the attention of carspotters easily, thanks to a retractable soft top. This features a letterbox rear window and has necessitated the relocation of the third brake light to the spare wheel carrier.

Mercedes Ready To Make The V8 G-Class Family Bigger Than Ever

We know Mercedes is working on a smaller G-Wagen, but bigger could be in the pipeline too.

Other than that, there’s not much to differentiate this from any other G-Wagen, though it’s possible that, as a special edition, some unique interior trim will be offered, along with Airscarf seats to keep the backs of buyers’ necks warm when showing off in cold weather.

G-Class Cabrio Has Always Been Special

With winter testing still to come, the G-Wagen Cabriolet should only be expected sometime in 2026, though possibly within the first quarter. While we wait, let’s look back at some of the standout versions. Mercedes produced a Popemobile based on an open-topped 230 G for Pope John Paul II in 1980, but the first-ever G-Wagens from 1979 were already available without a roof. At the time, the model was also offered as a panel van. Originally, cabrios featured a manually folding roof, but that changed in 1997 when an electropneumatic roof arrived. The soft-top (also available as a short-wheelbase model with two doors) was discontinued in 2013, but it was never offered in the U.S., and neither was the Maybach G650 Landaulet version, at least not officially. Brabus has also produced open-top Geländewagens, and so has restomodding outfit EMC, but there’s no need to resort to such extremism – the new G-Class Cabriolet will be offered in global markets, including ours.