The G-Class Takes Its Roof Off Again: What Mercedes-Benz Revealed and What Remains Unknown

Mercedes-Benz has moved closer to bringing back the open-top G-Class: at the end of July 2026, the brand showed a camouflaged prototype with its roof lowered and demonstrated the folding-top mechanism in operation. This is no longer an early outline or a stationary vehicle shown at a closed presentation. The video shows the soft top opening the space above both rows of seats and folding behind the second row.

The most significant change compared with previous production G-Class convertibles is the body. The new model retains four side doors and a full-size second row. Mercedes-Benz has not yet disclosed the engine, power output, weight, luggage capacity, price or sales launch date. It is therefore worth separating what has actually been shown or confirmed from reports by specialist publications and expectations.

From the First Announcement to the Open Roof: Four Confirmed Dates

1. On 04 September 2025, Mercedes-Benz first signalled the return of the G-Class Cabriolet with a darkened image. The manufacturer confirmed that the family would be expanded, but did not reveal any technical specifications.

2. On 02 December 2025, the company published the first photographs of camouflaged prototypes undergoing testing in Austria. The official Mercedes-Benz release mentioned road and proving-ground tests, along with a planned winter programme in Sweden.

3. On 26 July 2026, specialist publications drew attention to a new brand video: the prototype was shown with its top fully lowered for the first time, while the roof mechanism was demonstrated in motion.

4. On 27 July 2026, additional reports appeared with new images of the open vehicle. As of 30 July 2026, Mercedes-Benz had still not announced the world premiere date or the start of order intake.

How the Cabriolet Differs from the Standard G-Class

The front end reveals little about the convertible: it retains the upright windscreen, indicators mounted on the front wings, exposed door hinges and boxy profile. The main changes begin behind the front doors. Instead of a fixed metal roof, there is a folding fabric top, while the rear section of the body features a structure supporting the roof mechanism.

Unlike older production G-Class Cabriolets, the new model has four side doors. Previous convertibles were based on a short-wheelbase three-door body. The new version preserves familiar access to the second row and is closer in format to the standard five-door G-Class, although Mercedes-Benz has not yet published the interior dimensions.

The brand video shows the soft top folding into several layers behind the rear seats. When folded, the roof package extends above the rear section of the body. This could affect rear visibility and usable luggage space, but photographs are not enough to support numerical conclusions: the manufacturer has disclosed neither the compartment dimensions nor the luggage capacity.

The externally mounted spare wheel remains in place. Based on the published footage, the side-hinged rear door familiar from the standard G-Class has also been retained. Exact details about the hinge design, access to the luggage compartment and whether the door can be opened with the roof folded have not yet been disclosed.

Why Removing the Roof Is More Complicated Than It Looks

On a closed vehicle, the roof contributes to body rigidity. A convertible has to compensate for its absence with structural reinforcements and protect occupants in the event of a rollover. For a heavy body-on-frame SUV, the task also involves maintaining sealing, ensuring the doors operate correctly over uneven surfaces and achieving long-term durability for the roof mechanism. Mercedes-Benz has not yet explained which reinforcements have been used or how much weight they have added.

Is This Definitely the Mercedes-AMG G 63 Cabriolet?

The latest prototype carries visible AMG badges on the number plates and side-exit exhaust pipes—features associated with the G 63. In March 2026, Automotive News, citing attendees at a dealer meeting, reported that North America was expected to receive a Mercedes-AMG version with a V8. Other automotive publications subsequently repeated those reports.

However, Mercedes-Benz has not published a technical data sheet for the G-Class Cabriolet or confirmed the powertrain output in an open press release. It is therefore too early to transfer the standard G 63's specifications directly into a convertible specifications table. Even with the same engine, weight, aerodynamics and chassis tuning could alter performance figures.

It is also unknown whether the range will be limited to an AMG version. Reports about possible six-cylinder or electric variants remain speculation. The vehicle shown confirms the development direction, but not the complete future model range.

How the Open G-Class Connects to the Model's History

A G-Class convertible is not a new experiment. When the family made its market debut in spring 1979, buyers could choose an open version with a short wheelbase, while closed Station-Wagen models were available with either a short or long wheelbase. The timeline and original range are described in the official history of the G-Class.

Production of the short-wheelbase convertible ended in 2013. This is confirmed by a feature from the Mercedes-Benz Museum, which lists the final 2013 Cabriolet among the model's key historical exhibits.

The Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet appeared in 2017, but its design was different: a fixed roof remained over the driver and front passenger, while a soft top opened only the rear section of the cabin. The new Cabriolet opens the space above both rows and has four doors. This combination is being shown for the first time on a production G-Class.

Do Not Confuse the Cabriolet with the Landaulet

• the classic G-Class Cabriolet had a folding roof that opened the cabin at the front and rear, but its body had three doors;

• the 2017 Maybach G 650 Landaulet opened only the rear passenger section;

• the new G-Class Cabriolet combines a full-size five-door body with a roof that folds away above both rows.

What Information Is Needed Before Sales Begin

For a buyer considering an open-top SUV, knowing the engine type is not enough. Assessing practicality requires details that are usually missing from dramatic images with the roof lowered.

• the time required to open and close the top, as well as the permitted driving speed while the mechanism is operating;

• luggage capacity with the roof raised and folded;

• kerb weight and permitted payload;

• maximum wading depth and other off-road specifications;

• the equipment provided for rollover protection;

• available markets, trim levels, warranty terms, pricing and delivery times.

Acoustic comfort is another open question. The G-Class has an almost vertical windscreen and a tall body, making control of wind noise particularly important in an open version. Mercedes-Benz has said that engineers are collecting data to preserve the characteristic G-Class experience, but it has not published test results or noise measurements.

What to Check After the Premiere

The Cabriolet should be compared with the standard G-Class on more than power and price. Its practical differences will be revealed by weight, luggage capacity, visibility with the roof folded, off-road restrictions and the ability to use the top in cold weather. These details will determine whether the open G remains a convenient everyday vehicle.

When Will the Premiere Take Place?

Mercedes-Benz has only referred to the continuation of the testing programme and promised to reveal more details later. Automotive publications expect the production version to be presented in 2026 or 2027, but there is no single confirmed date. Reports suggesting a market launch in 2027–2028 are also based on press coverage and dealer sources.

As of 30 July 2026, it is not possible to reliably name the premiere month, starting price or date of the first deliveries. The latest video does, however, settle the main question about the vehicle's format: Mercedes-Benz is preparing not a short two-door convertible in the style of its predecessor, but an open G-Class with four side doors and full access to the second row.

The Bottom Line

The G-Class Cabriolet is returning not as a direct copy of the 2013 version. The new vehicle retains the recognisable five-door body of the current G-Class, but replaces the fixed roof with a folding soft top. This makes the cabin more accessible than that of the previous three-door Cabriolet and opens both rows, unlike the Maybach G 650 Landaulet.

Significant gaps remain before the full premiere: Mercedes-Benz has not disclosed the powertrain, performance, weight, luggage practicality, off-road limitations or commercial terms. The latest footage should therefore be viewed as confirmation of the design and the project's development stage, rather than as the final specification of the production vehicle.