Mercedes-Benz has been supplying cars to the Vatican for 94 years, with the G-Class being the basis for some of the popemobiles used in the past 45 years. With the G580 with EQ Technology making its debut in April this year, the carmaker has now handed over a bespoke version of the all-electric G-Class to Pope Francis.
“This means that the pope will be travelling locally emission-free in a new Mercedes-Benz in time for the 2025 Jubilee – an event that only takes place every 25 years and one for which millions of pilgrims are expected in Rome,” the company said in its official release.
“With the new Popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pope to be travelling in a fully electric Mercedes-Benz when making public appearances. This is a special honour for our company, and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust,” said Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Preserving the electric powertrain of the G580, which boasts 587 PS (579 hp or 432 kW) and 1,164 Nm of torque, but adapting it for the special purpose of slow journeys at public appearances, the electric G-Class gets significant modifications to turn it into a popemobile.
For starters, the bench seat in the rear gets replaced with a centrally positioned and height-adjustable single seat which swivels. This makes it possible for the pope to move around flexibly and address an audience from different angles. Behind this single seat, there are two single seats that have been integrated on the left and right for additional passengers.
Additionally, the roof was removed at the B-pillar with custom bodywork installed to create a harmonious transition into the side wall. To deal with rain or bad weather conditions, a separate hardtop can be installed to offer protection for the occupants.
Elsewhere, the left rear door was removed and rebuilt from a single piece and seamlessly welded into the bodyshell, while on the right-hand side, the hinges of the rear door were relocated to the opposite side. A classic pearl white paint finish is applied as a finishing touch.
In the 1980s, John Paul II used the first vehicle officially called the popemobile for events in St Peter’s Square, a W460 G-Class. From 2002, he used a W463 G500, which was also used by his successors Benedict XVI and Francis.
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