When Mercedes started building the G-Wagen in the early 70s, the SUV was a utilitarian thing, ideal for military (and soon after, civilian) operators who actually needed to drive where paved roads don't lead. Over the past 40 years, the vehicle has clung to the angular, boxy, working-class look—but a peek inside reveals this car has gone soft. Like, butter in the Dubai sun soft.
Today, the German automaker unveiled the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet, the most luxurious G-Class ever. As you'd expect, that means a V12 biturbo engine that puts out 630 horsepower, more screens than you could possibly look at, and enough leather to put cattle on the endangered species list.
The real craziness hits you in the back. Mercedes stretched the wheelbase of the standard G-Wagen by just under two feet, then dropped in two of the “first class” rear seats from its executive-shlepping S-Class. Und voila: As you carom down alpine paths, mowing down mountain goats and bighorn sheep, your passengers can fully recline and enjoy a massage, while the cup holders keep their fine coffees hot and their sparkling waters cold.
Because privacy is everything, a glass partition can seal the driver off from the passengers, flipping from transparent to opaque at the push of a button. And because being seen is even more important, the canvas soft top covering the backseat opens with the whir of a motor—not the pull of an arm.
Mercedes will build just 99 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulets, and will sell them for a yet to be revealed, certainly extraordinary cost. So if you're the 100th most ridiculous person in Dubai—where superlatives are worth almost any asking price—better luck next time.
