Brabus turns the iconic G-Class into the most extreme luxury cabrio ever built

Power and elegance in perfect balance, engineered to explore without limits and designed to stand out.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the most iconic SUVs ever built, keeping its unmistakable boxy design since its introduction. Mercedes just announced plans to build a G-Class Cabriolet, but Brabus didn’t wait. The German global luxury-mobility brand, known for transforming Mercedes models, has already created a fully open-top version. Its new Brabus 800 and 800 XL Cabrios take the G-Class’s off-road legacy into bold new territory, combining extreme performance with a level of customization few SUVs can match.

The reason behind Brabus’ latest build

Brabus has long been known for building high-performance, limited-production custom models. Still, its decision to build a Cabriolet based on the classic G-Class format is a new milestone.

Mercedes-Benz has only recently begun testing the G-Class Cabriolet, but it expects a long wait and will only be available in limited numbers. Enthusiasts who can’t wait for the open-top format can now look to Brabus’ G-Class Cabrio as a tangible option, rather than wait in uncertainty.

The G-Class history

Born in the late 1970s as a military-focused utility vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class evolved into one of the world’s most recognizable luxury SUVs while retaining its original boxy silhouette and rugged engineering. The most remarkable chapter of the G-Class’s past is the story of Gunther and Christine Holtorf, the infamous couple who turned their diesel-powered G-Wagon into the world’s most traveled car.

‘Otto’, the Holtorf’s G-Wagen wasn’t initially meant to be an off-road companion. But in 1989, the duo retrofitted the rear with mattresses, stored gear on top, and drove the SUV around the globe. Their adventure became a hit, with the couple having visited 214 countries, regions, and territories, totaling about 5,59,000 miles by 2014. Their unique adventure turned out to be the biggest advertisement for the G-Class’s resilience.

The new Brabus G-Class Cabrio

The G-Class Cabrios by Brabus both take inspiration from the Mercedes-AMG G63, keeping the classic G-Class shape. Brabus offers two versions, the 800 and 800XL, both featuring reinforced open-top frames with widebody panels, carbon fiber components, and redesigned bumpers. As Brabus stated, these two models are “Engineered to conquer the unknown” and “Designed to stand out in every detail”.

Iconic exterior

The 800 and 800 XL Cabrios share a similar wheelbase, giving them an exclusive look and featuring aggressive bumpers. Brabus used advanced CAD engineering and high-strength steel to maintain torsional rigidity comparable to the original Mercedes-AMG G 63, while preserving the G-Class’s iconic silhouette. They also developed a complex soft-top system with more than 500 custom parts. The two-piece roof opens or closes in 20 seconds at the touch of a button and features a heated safety-glass rear window.

The vehicle also features a world-first carbon-fiber surface bow that reinforces the front roof segment, improving stability and reducing wind noise at high speeds. At the rear, the soft top integrates with a body-mounted “C-BOW” steel roll bar, which folds automatically behind the seats and stores under a custom tonneau cover.

On the outside, it finished in “Pale Brown” and showcases extensive high-gloss carbon fiber across its grille frame and Powerdome. Exposed-carbon mirror caps, illuminated fenders, and lighted running boards enhance its visual impact. The rear receives a bespoke tailgate with a carbon insert and recessed Brabus lettering.

Unmatched performance

Drivers won’t feel like they’re in a boxy SUV, as the Brabus 800 and XL 800 Cabrios deliver true sports-car performance. Both models share the same power source: a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned to 800 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. They use two specially developed Brabus turbochargers and send power to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, which can also be operated manually via Brabus carbon paddle shifters.

The result is strong performance for an open-top off-roader, with 0 to 62 mph acceleration in 4.6 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph. A valve-controlled Brabus sports exhaust further elevates the experience, switching from a restrained tone to a full V8 soundtrack at the push of a button. Visually, the system is equally bold, featuring dual stainless-steel tailpipes on each side ahead of the rear Monoblock wheels, framed by exposed carbon trim and red illumination, a signature Brabus detail.

Luxury interior

Owners will feel the luxury immediately inside the Brabus XL 800 Cabrio, where a bespoke Masterpiece interior forms a bold contrast to the “Pale Brown” exterior. The cabin is upholstered in finely crafted red leather, color-matched and hand-stitched in the Brabus upholstery shop. Brabus’ craftsmanship is evident in the signature perforated seat centers, designed for improved ventilation, and carried across the doors, side panels, footwells, and leather floor mats.

The brand’s “Double-B” emblem is embossed throughout the seats, reinforcing the Masterpiece identity. High-gloss exposed carbon fiber underscores the supercar’s sporty character, appearing on sections of the steering wheel, pedal pads, and numerous trim pieces across the center console and door panels.

Comparisons with other extreme G-class builds

Since the G-Class is such an iconic vehicle, it’s no surprise that many modified versions have appeared over the years, and for Brabus, the Cabrio is far from the first G-Wagen transformation. Mercedes’ AMG G 63 6×6 remains one of the most recognizable special-edition off-road machines, and Brabus has already produced its own version of that three-axle giant.

The new G-Class Cabrio, however, takes a very different approach. It rides on two axles instead of three and features a full-open-air design, shifting the focus from military-style capability to exclusive lifestyle appeal. While the classic G-Class is known for its durability and suitability for demanding terrain, the Brabus Cabrio is engineered for a high-powered, luxury-driven experience that intentionally avoids long-term expedition use.

Collector’s significance

Mercedes has teased the return of the G-Class Cabriolet, but with no confirmed timeline, the Brabus version is the option for buyers who don’t want to wait. The Brabus Cabrio also sits in a different category altogether, offering more complex engineering, bespoke bodywork, and significantly higher performance than anything a factory model would deliver. Production is extremely limited, with just 100 units planned worldwide — 50 for the 800 Cabrio and 50 for the 800 XL — positioning it as a collector-focused release from the start.

The bottom line

Brabus continues its long-running approach of reengineering Mercedes models with the introduction of the new G-Class Cabrio line. Both versions feature custom body components, significant performance upgrades, and a redesigned interior that distinguishes them from earlier builds. While this Cabrio line is not intended for serious off-road use, it delivers more power and technical sophistication than previous Brabus G-Class projects.