Mercedes-Benz Previews First G-Class Cabriolet in Years

Early prototype spotted in Austria points to an open-air revival for the iconic G-Wagen.

Mercedes-Benz isn’t quite ready to peel back the wraps on its long-rumored G-Class Cabriolet, but it’s decided the development car can come out of hiding—sort of. The company has shared a handful of photos showing a camouflaged prototype making the rounds on Austrian roads, offering the clearest look yet at the open-top G the brand confirmed earlier this fall.

At a Glance

• Mercedes releases first official images of the G-Class Cabriolet prototype.
• Soft top appears shorter and sleeker than previous Landaulet-style roof.

• Extensive winter testing in Sweden still ahead before a full reveal.

The G-Wagen Shape Stays—The Roof Does Not

Even under the heavy wrap, the cabriolet looks every inch a G-Class. The upright glass, the squared wheel arches, and the familiar military-grade stance remain unchanged. What stands out is the roofline. Instead of resurrecting the full-length Landaulet setup used on the ultra-rare 2018 G650, this new version uses a more compact soft top that seems to retract from above the windshield and disappear just behind the second row.

From the side, that creates a pronounced step where the roof meets the shortened rear quarters. It gives the rig a slightly stretched silhouette—still upright, still unmistakably a G, but with a more playful posture than the closed-roof models.

Structural Tweaks and Design Details

Open-top SUVs are never simple conversions, especially those built on ladder frames, and the chopped rear section suggests Mercedes has been busy strengthening the shell. The photos show revised sheetmetal behind the rear seats, along with what looks like repositioned body seams. None of it looks provisional or patchwork, which hints that the design is pretty far along.

Inside the Cabin

Mercedes hasn’t opened the interior to the public yet, but the logical expectation is that most of the refreshed G-Class layout carries over. If so, the cabriolet would feature the updated twin-screen setup, the latest MBUX interface, and the familiar mixture of luxury trim and rugged hardware. The bigger unknown is how the company plans to handle roof sealing, noise control, and airflow management—factors that matter more when the vehicle in question can drop its top on a whim.

Powertrains Likely to Mirror the Standard G

The brand hasn’t addressed engines, but the Cabriolet should slot neatly into the existing G-Class lineup. That likely means the mild-hybrid inline-six and possibly a V8, depending on how Mercedes positions the model. An electrified version hasn’t been ruled out, though nothing in the prototype photos points in that direction yet.

Regardless of the engine, the cabriolet should maintain the G’s core off-road hardware—low-range gearing, multiple locking differentials, and the familiar, slightly upright steering geometry that gives the G-Class its distinctive feel on the trail.

Mercedes Stays Quiet on Timing

Official details are still sparse. Mercedes says the prototype is headed to Sweden for a winter-testing cycle before any sort of reveal takes place, which puts the timeline somewhere on the far side of winter. A debut sometime next spring or early summer seems reasonable, but the company isn’t making promises.

What’s Still Under Wraps

The early look confirms that Mercedes is serious about bringing back a body style that hasn’t been widely available in years. Still missing are the big-ticket details—powertrain lineup, roof mechanism, pricing, and where it will be sold.

With the G-Class Cabriolet now roaming public roads and gearing up for cold-weather trials, the next round of information shouldn’t be too far off. When the camouflage finally comes off, we’ll get a better sense of how Mercedes plans to blend open-air driving with one of the industry’s most recognizable shapes.