Mercedes-Maybach G65 4x4² Landaulet leaked online ahead of Geneva debut

The upcoming G65 4x4² Landaulet is rumoured to be powered by AMG's latest 621bhp twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine
7 February 2017

The Mercedes-Maybach G65 4x4² Landaulet, a limited-volume, V12-powered semi-convertible version of the G-Class, has been leaked online ahead of its official debut at the Geneva motor show in early March.

A Russian journalist has posted an image and video on his Instagram account, Automailru, of the model which is yet to be revealed officially by the car maker. However, Mercedes-Maybach released an image of the rear right of the car yesterday, hinting at its imminent arrival.

Set to act as a swansong model for the existing 38-year-old G-Class prior to the introduction of a heavily upgraded variant of the original military-based off-roader later this year, the lavishly equipped model revives the evocative Landaulet name of some of Mercedes' most flamboyant and expensive pre-war models.

Details remain scarce prior to its officially unveiling, but we do know that like the Maybach 62 Landaulet that launched back in 2007, the new G65 4x4² Landaulet features an electrically operated folding fabric roof which opens over the rear seats.

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The new Mercedes-Maybach model appears to retain the same body structure as the G500 4x4², but the centre of the roof aft of the B-pillars and rear screen have been removed to create a large opening. which is covered by a sturdy multi-layer fabric hood. When opened, the hood stows in an exposed position at the rear of the car.

The G65 4x4² Landaulet is likely to be powered by the latest version of Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine. Now produced at Mercedes-Benz’s factory in Mannheim, Germany, this produces 621bhp at 5000rpm and an abundant 737lb ft of torque between 2300 and 4300rpm.

Those heady reserves are channelled through a seven-speed torque converter-equipped automatic gearbox and sturdy four-wheel drive system with three separate differential locks. In the standard 2505kg G65, it provides 0-62mph acceleration in 5.3sec and a 143mph top speed together with combined cycle fuel consumption of 16.6mpg and average CO2 emissions of 397g/km.

Pricing for the highly exclusive S65 4x4² Landaulet is yet to be announced, though insiders suggest it will surpass that of the Maybach 62 Landaulet, which was offered in very limited numbers and cost £303,000.

Read Autocar's review of Mercedes-AMG's six-wheeled G63

Video: watch the G63 6x6 take on the desert

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Comments
12

80sXS

6 February 2017
Nine hundred and ninety nine thousand dollar pounds!

GODFATHER

7 February 2017
80sXS wrote:

Nine hundred and ninety nine thousand dollar pounds!

Unfortunately there are more then enough idiots to buy any junk that Mercedes put a badge to. Three decades ago it was understandable but now these are total rubbish.

GODFATHER

7 February 2017
80sXS wrote:

Nine hundred and ninety nine thousand dollar pounds!

Unfortunately there are more then enough idiots to buy any junk that Mercedes put a badge to. Three decades ago it was understandable but now these are total rubbish.

289

6 February 2017
....if it has the obligatory grab handle at the top of the windscreen (passenger side) for despots to take the salute!

ianp55

6 February 2017
The G-Wagen continues it's move upmarket, now just a status symbol than a serious 4x4 not quite as pointless as the six wheel version offered by AMG recently but a close second. This latest offering is more suited to the pages of Hello! that to that of Autocar

k12479

6 February 2017
ianp55 wrote:

...now just a status symbol than a serious 4x4...

This has been the case since the early 1990s when the original W460 split into the W461 and W463 and it largely slipped out of commercial and municipal service as being too expensive (military versions excepted). Like the contemporary Range Rover though, it was a classy status symbol and now they have both become increasingly tacky.

ianp55

7 February 2017
After seeing the photo's it worse than I imagined,truly bloody awful Mercedes have truly lost their way.

Guy08

7 February 2017
Lovely place and great car for a game drive. The grass next to the road is not going to spoil your view being so high off the ground! Plus no roof! What a pleasure.

madikwegamereserve.co.za

Badgerman

7 February 2017
until I realised that there's no rear window to fit my 'Friends of the Earth' sticker to!!!

eseaton

7 February 2017
How could anyone want to crush the joyous madness that lurks within Mercedes-Benz? They should make one with two V12s - one for each axle.

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