Mercedes-Benz G-Class Cabriolet confirmed to live again with AMG G63 flagship

Mercedes-Benz has used a social media post to confirm that an AMG version of the upcoming G-Class Cabriolet, due for global launch in 2027, will join the iconic off-road SUV's lineup.

The German auto brand confirmed the return of an open-top G-Class – which has not been offered as a regular production model since 2013 – with an Instagram post showing the Mercedes-AMG G63 Cabriolet fitted with a folding fabric roof.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has yet to confirm the new G-Class flagship for local showrooms.

The G63 Cabriolet in the teaser images is almost comically camouflaged, with the disguise doing little to hide the changes made in the transition from G-Class hard-top to soft-top.

Mercedes-Benz's born-again G-Class Cabriolet features a five-door body, whereas the original W460-series G-Class Cabriolet launched in 1979 was a shorter-wheelbase three-door.

It sees an AMG front-end featuring LED headlights and tail-lights, while an externally mounted spare wheel cover incorporates a legally mandated third brake light, which on hard-top models is positioned at the top of the rear window.

A video clip reveals an electrically operated fabric roof opening above both rows of seats before folding neatly into the rear of the vehicle at the same height as the spare wheel.

With nobody visible inside the vehicle as the roof operates, it appears the mechanism can be activated remotely via the keyfob or a smartphone app. By comparison, the previous G-Class Cabriolet required rear roof clips to be manually released before the roof could be folded.

The side-exit exhaust outlets, together with the engine note heard in the teaser, indicate the G63 Cabriolet will employ AMG's current 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. The Australian-market G63 currently produces 430kW of power and 850Nm of torque, and drives all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

While the regular G-Class is also available in Australia with a six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and in battery-electric 'G580 with EQ Technology' form, the convertible version is expected to be available exclusively in top-shelf AMG form.

Further details including pricing have yet to be announced, but the G63 Cabriolet is expected to command a premium over the existing G63, which is currently priced from a hefty $372,327 before on-road costs in Australia, where the hardcore G63 Offroad Pro version starts from $387,927 plus ORCs.

Mercedes-Benz is also developing a smaller 'baby G-Class' SUV, expected to be revealed later this year with styling inspired by the current G-Class, and is tipped to share hybrid powertrains with the new Mercedes-Benz CLA.

However, reports suggest a battery-electric version of the baby G-Class has been shelved following slower-than-expected global demand for the full-size electric G580.

MORE: Explore the Mercedes-Benz G-Class showroom