The G-Class SUV is a proverbial money-printing machine for Mercedes-Benz. Dealers maintain years-long waitlists for buyers who are happy to drop up to (and over) a quarter-million dollars for their very own military-inspired box on wheels, despite its appearance not really having changed for the past 46 years.
To further capitalize on the G’s success (barring the electric version, which one executive reportedly called a “complete flop”), the company is doing something it should’ve done years ago: It’s adding a convertible to the lineup. But going by the teaser photo released by Mercedes, the drop-top reminds me more of an old Lamborghini than any previous G cabriolet.
Mercedes hasn’t released any info on the upcoming G-Class Cabriolet, other than confirming it’ll be coming to “almost every market around the world, including the U.S.” But we can make a few assumptions based on the singular teaser photo released alongside the announcement. The first: The new Cab won’t share its general shape with the old production-spec G-Wagen convertible, which rode on a two-door short-wheelbase chassis. It also won’t be a redux of the low-production, long-wheelbase Maybach G650 Laundaulet.
Going by the truck’s proportions, this Cab will most likely run on the standard G-Class’s wheelbase and use a four-door layout. The upper part of the cargo area has been sliced off, presumably to make room for the convertible top and operating mechanism, similar to the G650’s setup. The result is, at least from the side, a G-Class that’s shaped a lot like the Lamborghini LM002.
Source: Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini
You see it, right? The long hood, the four-door cab space, and the slightly raised rear section—it all matches up, more or less. Hell, even the spare tire is in the same place. Staring at this teaser photo, it’s the only thing I can see.
Of course, the real thing likely looks far different from the Rambo Lambo, especially when it comes to that rear section. On the Lamborghini, it’s a real (albeit small) storage space. On the Mercedes, that space will be reserved for tucking the soft top away. I’m sure there will be some sort of tiny storage area out back, but it’ll be a far cry from the standard truck’s 38 cubic feet.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
The G-Class Cabriolet could even mirror the LM002’s powertrain—to an extent, anyway. Though Mercedes didn’t mention anything about a Maybach badge in its announcement, the download page for its singular photo had Maybach branding, suggesting the Cab will be a high-end, well-appointed model. Aside from Paganis, Maybach trims are the only cars to still use Mercedes-built V12s. And the G650 used a V12. So it wouldn’t be surprising for this latest G to have one, too.
No matter what form it ends up taking, the G-Class Cabriolet will be another huge money-maker for the brand. Those old, short-wheelbase Cabrios regularly sell for big money, with later, V8-powered models regularly raking in over $200,000 on the used market, according to Classic.com. The demand for new G-Wagen convertibles is so vast, numerous aftermarket companies have begun to build their own. I spoke with one such company, Refined Marques, back in 2023, which charges $1.3 million to build a G-Class Cabriolet with a set of fancy suicide doors. Mercedes, smartly, is simply taking advantage of the demand itself, cutting out the middleman.
It’s not clear when the G Cabrio will hit dealerships, or how much it’ll cost. The addition of a convertible mechanism means a new body has to be developed, and the Maybach badging certainly won’t drive down costs. No matter how much it’ll cost, I have no doubt Mercedes dealers will have a line out the door of people trying to get on the list.
Top graphic images: Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini
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