Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet auctioned for charity

Mercedes built 99 G650 Landaulets, but only sold 98 – all before the car was officially revealed at last year’s Geneva motor show. That’s because it kept one for its own collection, and Bonhams is auctioning it in Belgium next month. Bidding paddles primed and at the ready… 

Proceeds from the sale of the Landaulet - which marries the 6.0-litre, biturbo V12 from the S65, the portal axles from the G 500 4x42 and rear seats from a Maybach S-Class with a half-metre longer wheelbase, Landaulet-style soft-top and many diff’ locks – will go to the Laureus Sport for Good foundation (which helps “children and young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage through sport”). Bonhams is waiving all its fees, and expects the G to fetch way over its €630,000 (before taxes) RRP. 

If you’re wondering what a V12-engined, five-metre long part-convertible SUV is like to drive, well then you’re in luck. This is the exact car we flew to Germany to drive this summer (don’t worry potential future owners, we were nice to it). 

We quite liked it, too. Not because it’s objectively better than other luxury SUVs – because it isn’t – but because it’s so fantastically outrageous and over-the-top that you can’t help but suppress a smile as you clamber up the deployable side-steps into its leathery cabin, power-up the biturbo V12 and trundle away into the sunset. But would we buy one? Erm…

Click on these words to read all about it. 

Images: Dennis Noten