Move Over Bronco And Wrangler, Mercedes Begins Testing The Open-Top G-Class

Mercedes-Benz has officially begun dynamic testing of the all-new open-top G-Class in Austria, marking the most significant development step yet for the highly anticipated return of the convertible G-Wagen. The announcement follows a wave of excitement generated by the initial teaser, and the move confirms that this new variant—combining open-air freedom with the G-Class’s trademark toughness—is edging closer to production.

A Modern Take On A Legend

Mercedes-Benz says the overwhelmingly positive response to the first teaser accelerated the decision to put prototypes on the road. The open-top G-Class is being developed to deliver the same presence, capability, and unmistakable design language that has defined the model for more than four decades. Early prototypes show a vehicle that retains the signature blocky profile and rugged proportions of the hardtop G yet introduces a redesigned rear section to accommodate its convertible architecture.

This model represents the first factory-produced open-top G-Class in many years, and the first-ever four-door convertible version. Mercedes intends it to honor the brand’s heritage while bringing the concept into a modern era, pairing nostalgia with new engineering and a broader global reach.

Testing Underway In Austria

The first test miles are now being logged on a combination of public roads and controlled test tracks in Austria. Mercedes engineers are using this phase to gather real-world data on how the open-top configuration affects the vehicle’s handling, structural rigidity, and day-to-day drivability.

With the roof removed from the traditional steel canopy, the team is paying close attention to how the chassis responds to uneven terrain, how the vehicle manages airflow at speed, and how the cabin behaves acoustically in a more exposed environment. Mercedes notes that every element—from the dynamics to the durability of the roof mechanism—is being scrutinized to ensure the open-top variant continues to feel authentically like a G-Class.

Next Stop: Sweden’s Winter Proving Grounds

Once the Austrian phase concludes, the prototypes will move north toward the brutal winter testing cycle in Sweden. There, the vehicle will be subjected to the kind of extreme cold, deep snow, and slick ice that have long served as proving grounds for G-Class development. Engineers will evaluate how the open-roof design performs in subzero temperatures, how its retractable roof system behaves in winter conditions, and how the drivetrain manages traction in some of the harshest environments on earth.

This next chapter of testing reflects Mercedes’ insistence that the convertible model offer the same confidence and durability as any other G-Class, regardless of climate.

A Vehicle Designed To Inspire Adventure

As development advances, Mercedes is positioning the open-top G-Class as a model that blends the rugged authenticity of the G-Wagen with an experience built around freedom, exploration, and lifestyle appeal. Though official specifications remain under wraps, it is expected to share the foundational architecture and powertrain options of the upcoming 2026 G-Class lineup, signaling a balance between modern luxury and genuine trail-ready capability.

For now, Mercedes hints only that the new convertible “is set to redefine expectations and inspire adventure.” More information is expected throughout 2026, as testing continues and the model moves closer to its global debut.