Mercedes-Maybach G650 is Go-Anywhere Sheik Chic [w/ Video]
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is, even in standard (for the U.S. market, anyway) G550 form, all kinds of baller. The AMG massaged G63 and G65 versions are even more baller, while the G63 4×4² and 6×6 have achieved double-platinum status. So has Daimler reached the limits of blinging out its boxy brute? Not on your life, if the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet is any indication.
Like the S-Class sedan from the still-quite-young Mercedes-Maybach sub-brand, the G650 Landaulet features a stretched wheelbase that allows for considerably more rear seat legroom. Of course, a lot of that comes from the twin first class airline style seats – really, they’re more like thrones – being scooted back to where the cargo area is on lesser G-Wagens. As for the “Landaulet” part of the name, that comes from the power folding soft top that encloses much of the rear compartment except for the upper halves of the rear doors, and there’s a partition with a retractable divider window just aft of the front seats. It’s all something of an homage to the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet, the iconic (or infamous, depending on whether you were a third-world or behind-the-Iron-Curtain strongman who rode in one or somebody unlucky enough to live under his regime) parade-friendly leviathan of a limo of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Of course, no Merc built on the W100 platform ever came with a four-wheel-drive system with three locking diffs, portal axles, or a hand-assembled Mercedes-AMG 6.0L twin-turbo V12 generating 630 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft of torque; the G650 Landaulet, on the other hand, does, meaning this baby can help you survey every inch of your ranch, private island, emirate, banana republic, etc., and do it P.D.Q. Alas, if you want one, you’re going to have to act right freakin’ NOW, as only 99 are set to be built with a choice of four exterior colors, four interior color schemes, and three convertible top colors. Oh, and don’t expect to see any of those 99 jumping dunes in the Hamptons or blocking out the sun on Rodeo Drive, as Mercedes-Maybach has already confirmed they’re not sending any here. Boo, hiss, and all that razamataz…
Source: Mercedes-Maybach