Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet: an off-roading convertible limousine

The Landaulet has almost half a metre of ground clearance, a folding fabric roof and business-class-style seats

The Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet poses a fairly niche question: what happens if you combine a limousine with a convertible SUV?

You can see the answer here: the Landaulet has a power-folding fabric roof over the two fully reclining, S-Class-sourced, massaging rear seats. It comes with a 621bhp 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, returns just 16.6mpg and should be able to go almost anywhere, thanks to its three differential locks and 450mm of ground clearance.

The standard Mercedes G-Class is due for an update soon, having been on sale for almost four decades in one form or another. And while that car’s boxy looks, bouncy suspension and high asking price make it both a cult item and a rare sight, landaulets are in themselves fairly unusual propositions.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The idea of a convertible roof covering the rear passengers but not those in the front can be traced as far back as the 18th century, where horse-drawn carriages were designed with the comfort of paying customers, not drivers, in mind.

The G650 Landaulet is less discriminating, as the front of the car is fully covered – although only those in the rear can go topless. This, Mercedes says, allows occupants to enjoy a “majestic open-air experience”.

Other rear-seat luxuries include heated cup-holders, aircraft-style leather-topped fold-out tables, two 10-inch entertainment screens, calf rests for weary legs and a glass partition that can be raised when privacy is required in the back.

Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet: price & on-sale date

As you may have guessed by now, the G650 Landaulet won’t be cheap; while Mercedes is being coy about revealing its price, the (slightly) more conventional Maybach 62 Landaulet limousine ran to about £1million when it launched back in 2007.

Before you grab your fund manager and rush out to a Mercedes-Maybach dealer, though, it’s worth knowing the G-Class Landaulet “will not be available for the UK market”. Even if it were, the production run is limited to just 99 models, making it tricky to buy.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024