Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius has confirmed that the rugged G-Class will once again be offered as a G-Class Cabriolet. In a brief announcement and teaser photo,
“we will offer the open-top G-Class in almost every market around the world, including the U.S.” . Ola Källenius
The lone teaser image shows a shadowy G-Wagon outline with roll hoop and roof rails reminiscent of the ultra-luxury Maybach G650 Landaulet, hinting at a four-door convertible profile . Mercedes is tight-lipped about details, but the company’s statement and image strongly suggest a four-door G-Class Cabriolet built on the latest generation platform, likely with a folding soft roof (rather than an open-sided hardtop).
Industry observers immediately noted the design cues
The teaser “suggests a Landaulet-style profile, with roof edges extending to the rear,” Motor1’s report explains . In contrast, the last standard G-Class Cabriolet (the 2013–2014 G500 Cabriolet Final Edition) had a much shorter two-door roof. The new model will almost certainly have rear doors, since the current G-Class is only sold as a 4-door SUV . Car and Driver similarly noted the Landaulet reference: “the new vehicle looks to adopt the old Landaulet-style roof,” based on the dimly-lit teaser photo . Most journalists expect a conventional folding fabric roof (not a rigid fold-away panel), for practicality and weight reasons. In short, the new G-Cabrio appears to be a “regular G550 with a folding fabric roof,” says Motor1, rather than a wild off-road special .
Powertrain and Features
Mercedes has not confirmed engines, but clues suggest an internal-combustion model. The teaser and press materials make no mention of “EQ” or electric technology, implying this Cabriolet will use gasoline (or diesel) powertrains . The safe bet is the latest G-Class powertrains: in the U.S., the 2025 G550 SUV uses a 3.0‑liter turbocharged inline-6 (with mild hybrid boost) making about 443 hp .
Thus the new Cabriolet will likely carry that same 3.0L I6 engine (443 hp) as its base . In Europe and other markets, a diesel (the 285‑hp 3.0L V6 “G400d”) could also be offered. Some outlets speculate that a high-output AMG version (based on the G63’s twin-turbo 4.0L V8) or even the electric G580’s four-motor setup might later be available , but those options remain rumors for now. In any case, early reports suggest the Cabriolet will be less extreme than the old V12 Landaulet; it’s expected to be based on the standard G550 (“Benz” model) rather than an AMG 4×4² or 6×6 off-roader . All signs point to a conventional 4WD drivetrain with the G-Class’s traditional ladder frame and rigid axles, carrying on the model’s classic off-road capability.
What we know so far about the G-Cabriolet
- Market and release: Mercedes says the Cabriolet will be sold worldwide . That’s a change from the last open-top G, the Maybach G650 Landaulet (2018), which was a Europe-only, chauffeur-driven novelty never sold in the U.S. According to the Car and Driver report, the 2018 Landaulet (99 units) was “hyper-exclusive” and U.S. buyers never saw it . By contrast, Källenius promises this new G-Cabrio for “almost every market” . No official debut date has been announced, but analysts expect a 2026 model-year launch. Motor1 notes that with a teaser already out, “expect to see it before the end of the year. Sales should begin in 2026” . Car and Driver similarly predicts it will appear as a 2026 model given the recent G-Class facelift . In summary, most reports target a reveal in late 2025 (for the 2026 model year) with dealerships carrying them in 2026, likely at a price premium above the standard G550.
- Industry buzz: Automotive press has received the news with enthusiasm. MotorTrend pointed out that the G-Class “has been the millionaire’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler,” and that it’s “time to bring back a drop-top G-Wagen” after a 13‑year gap . (Mercedes last offered a civilian G500 Cabriolet in 2013.) Journalists note that the Jeep has long had an open-air model, so finally a Mercedes convertible closes that feature gap . Media outlets also emphasize that unlike previous G‑convertibles, this one comes globally (even U.S. buyers will get it) . On blogs and forums, enthusiasts are already poring over the teaser shape, and most expect the new Cabriolet to carry on the G-Class’s iconic boxy styling with only necessary changes to enable the folding top.
- Comparison to past G-Class cabriolets: Mercedes-Benz has built only a few official G-Wagen convertibles in its history. The earliest was the original short‑wheelbase G (W460) offered from 1979–1985 as a limited-run soft-top (the Italian-market 200 GE Cabriolet, ~64 cars) . In the modern era, the last two-door G-Cabriolet was the G500 Cabriolet Final Edition (2013–2014) – a W463 short-wheelbase model powered by a 5.5L V8 (~388 hp), of which only 200 units were made . Then came the ultra-luxury Mercedes‑Maybach G650 Landaulet (2017–2018): a long-wheelbase four-door G-Class with a folding soft rear roof and a partition wall (essentially a half‑convertible), using a 6.0L twin‑turbo V12 (621 hp). That Landaulet was extremely exclusive (99 units) . The upcoming 2026 Cabriolet will differ in that it’s expected to be a mainstream 4-door model (without a chauffeur partition) and built in normal quantities.
