The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen has never been shy about its true purpose. It’s big, boxy, capable, and extremely luxurious, but at least in AMG trim, outrageously fast for something that looks like it belongs at a desolate military outpost. Now, the three-pointed star is bringing back one of the rarest and most eccentric flavors of the G-Class, the convertible. Between 1979 and 2013, Mercedes sold a two-door cabriolet built on the short-wheelbase platform, and for the first time, it’s officially headed to the United States.
Mercedes has quietly confirmed the return of the open-top G, dropping a shadowy teaser that reveals a four-door silhouette rather than the aforementioned short-wheelbase two-door configuration offered until 2013. Other noteworthy G-details include the squared-off fenders and the prominent spare wheel on the tailgate.
The timing of this revival is a strategic one. The G-Class has been a hit since its extensive 2018 redesign. AMG variants, like the G 63 in particular, with 585 horsepower from a mild-hybrid V8, dominate sales. In fact, supply struggles to keep up in markets like the U.S. and the Middle East, despite prices continuing to creep higher. That demand has given Mercedes confidence to expand the current G lineup, even after the G 580’s lukewarm reception as an EV. Companies like Mansory have already embraced the cabriolet formula on the latest G-Wagen.
Also, recent updates have made the G more livable than ever, all without stripping away its rugged character. A facelift in 2024 brought subtle changes to the grille and bumpers, plus new sound insulation and a spoiler lip to cut road noise.
Inside, you get Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment system, updated driver-assist features, and an off-road interface that includes a “transparent hood” function, essentially a camera-based system that shows obstacles under the front bumper. Powertrains range from the inline-six G 500 with 449 horsepower to the G 450 d diesel offered overseas, but U.S. buyers will likely fixate on that AMG G 63.
Coming back to the open-top variant, if you remember those Final Edition Cabriolets from over a decade ago, like the G 500 Cabrio with its manual soft top, you also know they were priced at a premium, considering only 200 examples were made. Today, clean examples fetch well over $250,000 on the secondary market. If Mercedes slots this new convertible anywhere near the AMG G 63’s current $208,000 sticker, expect collectors to start lining up early. Also, who can forget the ultra-limited V12-powered Maybach G 650 Landaulet from 2017, which featured a retractable soft top for rear passengers and still trades hands for seven figures.
Now, all of these models, including the upcoming convertible, share one common thread. They’re built in Austria by Magna Steyr in Graz, the longtime production home of the G-Class. That factory has assembled every G-Wagen since 1979, giving this highly competent 4×4 a level of consistency almost unmatched in the luxury car market.
So here’s the question for you: would you actually daily-drive a G-Wagen convertible? Roof-down highway cruising sounds fun until you remember the G’s brick aerodynamics and 6,000-pound curb weight. But as a collectible, it’s a no-brainer. The last run of cabrios proved that rarity alone can cement long-term values. This time around, with U.S. allocation confirmed, Mercedes is opening the doors for a much bigger group of buyers. So if you want one, you’ll most likely need to move quickly, as history shows us that G-Class convertibles don’t stick around for long.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
