Thirteen years after its last convertible offering, the G500 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz is reintroducing a factory-designed open-air model for its iconic G-Class, also known as the G-Wagen. This move aims to cater to affluent off-road enthusiasts and fill a notable gap in the G-Wagen's lineup, a feature long present in rivals like the Jeep Wrangler. The brand has announced that this new open-top G-Class will be available in almost every market worldwide, including the US, expanding the G-Class family beyond expectations for a 'baby electric G-Class'.

Teaser images for the forthcoming 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Cabriolet suggest that its design largely mirrors the current 2025 G-Class hardtop up to the back of the rear doors and the roof drip rail. However, beyond this point, distinct modifications become apparent. These include what appears to be an aerodynamic cover at the front, a prominent roll hoop extending rearward, and a newly designed, sloping C-pillar. Speculation surrounds the type of roof, with possibilities ranging from a soft, roll-up top to a solid panel setup akin to the Jeep Wrangler’s Freedom Panels. The unique shape of the rear bed could serve as storage for these panels when not in use, or potentially function as a regular hard bed cover, hinted at by visible hinges at the base of the C-pillar.

The design of the new model appears to draw heavily from the rich history of G-Wagen open-tops. Its overall profile and C-pillar design show clear influences from the G500 Cabriolet, which was the last convertible G-Class Mercedes offered for the 2013 model year. Furthermore, elements seem to be borrowed from the impressive G63 AMG 6x6, a vehicle from a similar era. While the new model's C-pillar is not as acute as that of the G63 6x6, the cargo bed’s scope and design exhibit a similar aesthetic, hinting at a rugged yet luxurious appeal.

The G-Class has a long and storied history with open-air variants, tracing its roots back to its origins as a military vehicle, the Geländewagen (or G-Wagen), in 1979 with the W460 model. From the outset, Mercedes-Benz offered a convertible as one of the five original variants, exclusively in a short-wheelbase (SWB) configuration, sharing its chassis with the three-door model. Even military versions, technically hardtops, featured a hatch in the roof allowing gunners to access mounted machine guns, which could be loosely interpreted as a form of open-air capability. A notable historical example is the very first Popemobile, built in 1980 for Pope John Paul II using a 230 G Cabriolet. In a contemporary twist, if Popemobiles are considered a continuation of the G-Class cabriolet lineage, then the all-electric G580 built in 2024 for Pope Francis could be seen as the most recent two-door cabrio, though such custom vehicles are often debated for inclusion in mainstream model counts.

One of the wildest and most luxurious open-top G-Class models was the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet. This unique vehicle, while a long-wheelbase (LWB) four-door, featured a distinctive half-cabriolet design. It boasted a roll-up glass partition separating the front and rear passenger areas, capable of transitioning from clear to opaque for privacy. Rear passengers enjoyed a significantly reclined position, with their seatbacks extending past the angled C-pillar. The G650 Landaulet also incorporated portal axles, previously seen in the G63 AMG 6x6 (though using a pair instead of a triplet), and was powered by Mercedes' potent 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12 engine, delivering 630 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque to its 36-inch Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires. In this model, only the rear occupants could experience top-down driving, as the roof folded into the cargo area while the front occupants remained under a solid roof, making its classification as a 'proper' convertible somewhat of a stretch.

Regardless of its historical antecedents or design influences, the return of a factory-made G-Class cabriolet is set to fulfill the long-standing desires of G-Class aficionados. This new iteration is anticipated to lean more towards a luxurious 'Landaulet' style than the utilitarian 'old school military spec', promising a distinctive and opulent open-air driving experience.