After an absence of around a decade, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is set to go topless again.
The German luxury automaker has released official “spy” photos of the born-again G-Class Cabriolet undergoing road tests in Austria, presumably not too far from the Magna Steyr facilities where it will be produced alongside its four-door hardtop sibling.
After the tests are done in Austria, the drop-top G-Class prototype fleet will head up to Sweden for extreme cold weather testing.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed when the new Cabriolet will go on sale, but it makes sense for it to head into dealerships before the northern summer in the middle of 2026. More details about the G-Class Cabriolet are promised “in due time”.
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Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz refers to the G-Class Cabriolet as a “special edition” model, suggesting it will be available in limited numbers.
The first-generation G-Class cabriolet was launched in 1979. Based on the short-wheelbase two-door model, it remained in production until 2013.
Since then the only soft-top G-Class has been the 2017 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet. The mega-bucks limited-edition Landaulet was based on the first-generation four-door G-Class, and had an extended wheelbase, as well as a twin-turbo V12 making 463kW of power.
With the second-generation G-Class only available as a four-door wagon, the new cabrio will follow suit. From the supplied images we can see the cabrio will have new rear quarter panels and a new half-height swing-out tailgate to accompany the folding soft-top that seemingly stretches all the way to the A-pillar.
The presence of a spare wheel on the tailgate and visible rear axle indicates the cabriolet being tested has an internal combustion engine (ICE), rather than the electric G580 EQ’s four-motor layout.
In Australia, the G-Class is offered with one petrol, one diesel, and one electric drivetrain. The range kicks off with the G450d, which has a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six with a 48V mild-hybrid system that makes a total of 270kW and 705Nm.
The range is topped by the G63 AMG that’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 430kW and 850Nm.
Sitting in the middle is the slow-selling G580 with EQ Technology. With a motor at each wheel, the G580 is able to spin on the spot, and drivers have a total of 432kW and 1165Nm at their disposal. Equipped with a 116kWh battery pack, the G580 has a WLTP range of 473km.
In addition to prepping the G-Class Cabrio, Mercedes-Benz is also developing a smaller off-road model. Variously referred to as the Baby G or Mini G, it will have a ladder-frame chassis like its full-size cousins.