The New Brabus G-Class Is All Restraint—Except for Its Wild Light-Up Exhausts
Why would you own a regular G-Wagen?
Generally speaking, anyone behind the wheel of a Mercedes G-Class likely enjoys being noticed. But if you’re looking to turn heads on an entirely different level, Brabus G-Class has pushed the G-Wagen formula into new territory with extravagant cabriolet versions of its 800 and 800 XL models—the latter being Brabus’ so-called “off-road couture” edition.
Each variant will be limited to just 50 units and is built on the current Mercedes-AMG C63 platform. Think handcrafted bodywork, fully bespoke interiors, premium materials throughout, cutting-edge engineering, and a price tag that’s every bit as wild as the design. It’s Brabus—so you already know the deal.
Brabus 800 Cabriolet
The Brabus G-Class 800 Cabriolet kicks off the madness with exposed carbon-fiber structural bodywork and trim wrapped in the brand’s bold Widestar design. The tailgate is a custom carbon-fiber piece, but the real showstopper is the exposed carbon “roof bow” up front, engineered to improve torsional rigidity, stabilize the soft top, and enhance sound insulation. At the rear, an exposed carbon-clad steel “C-BOW” roll bar provides additional protection.
Brabus says the bespoke two-piece soft-top system is built from more than 500 specially engineered components, and the roof can open or close in just 20 seconds with the press of a button.
Inside, buyers can choose between Brabus Oxford Sand or Cairo Brown leather, each providing a warm contrast to the SUV’s black metallic exterior. Power comes from a Brabus-tuned version of Mercedes-AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, now delivering 800 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. Despite rolling on massive 24-inch monoblock wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus S1 evo ZX tires, the 800 Cabriolet still sprints from 0–62 mph in a claimed 4.0 seconds.
Brabus G-Class also highlights its actively controlled, custom side-exit exhaust system—complete with the brand’s signature BoostXtra blow-off valve soundtrack—to ensure the SUV sounds as aggressive as it looks.
We have to pause for a moment to appreciate the Cabriolet’s monoblock wheels. Beyond being an iconic Mercedes design cue dating back to the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, these wheels are crafted using advanced forging and CNC machining techniques. They even feature centerlock-style hub covers that are color-matched to the bodywork, adding a subtle but unmistakably premium touch.
Brabus 800 XL Cabriolet
The 800 XL Cabriolet builds on the same structural bodywork and soft-top configuration as the standard 800, but distinguishes itself with Pale Brown paint, even wider fenders, and a dedicated suspension setup. Designed as the off-road-focused variant, the XL rides on a portal-axle suspension that delivers an impressive 18.9 inches of ground clearance. Brabus also equips it with specialized axle arms and a reinforced rear axle housing to handle tougher terrain.
XL-specific monoblock wheels complete the package, paired with chunky 325/55 R22 all-terrain tires for maximum capability—and presence.
Performance remains strong, though the 800 XL is just slightly slower in the run to 62 mph. Inside, it trades the standard model’s muted tones for finely stitched, quilted red leather, while retaining all the luxe Brabus touches—carbon-fiber paddle shifters, advanced seat climate control, and even heated air vents built directly into the seats.
A standard Mercedes-Benz G-Class already starts north of $150,000, and stepping up to a Mercedes-AMG C63 pushes the base price to around $195,500. But even those figures don’t get you remotely close to the cost of a Brabus 800 Cabriolet. According to Brabus, the example shown here is a million-dollar build.
It’s an outrageous sum for an SUV, but the craftsmanship goes far beyond typical luxury—extending from its custom-engineered chassis and striking bodywork all the way to small details like interior colors matched perfectly to the aluminum door-lock pins. The illuminated exhaust tips, however, are something you’ll either love or leave.
It’s wildly over the top, immensely powerful, and tailor-made to thrill any extrovert with the means to make one their own.
