LoginHoly Roller: Pope Francis Gets New Mercedes G-Class EV Popemobile
- Mercedes has delivered a new Popemobile to the Vatican, based on the G 580 with EQ.
- It features a quad-motor all-wheel drive system that was adapted for low-speed travel.
- The Popemobile has an open air design as well as a prominent seat for the pontiff.
Pope Francis has received an early Christmas present as Mercedes has delivered a new Popemobile based on the G 580 with EQ technology. It will become the latest in a long line of G-Class based Popemobiles, which have been used by Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
The one-off model was developed in close cooperation with the Vatican and features a pearl white exterior as well as an open top design. This required extensive modifications and Mercedes said the left rear door was removed, rebuilt, and “seamlessly welded into the bodyshell.” The right rear door remains, but has been completely revamped and now opens suicide-style.
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Using that door will take you to an elevated platform, which features a centrally positioned swiveling seat that is height-adjustable. It looks more like a piece of furniture than a car seat and Mercedes said it enables the Pope to “move around flexibly” as well as address audiences from different angles.
Besides the fancy papal chair, there are two jump-style seats located behind it. The G-Class also has rear steps as well as rear platforms for security personnel. If bad weather is in the forecast, the electric Geländewagen can be outfitted with a hardtop that provides a smidge of protection.
Mercedes was coy on performance details, but revealed the quad-motor all-wheel drive system has been “adapted to the particularly low-speeds required for public appearances.” That’s not much to go on, but the standard model has a 116 kWh battery pack as well as a combined output of 579 hp (432 kW / 587 PS) and 859 lb-ft (1,163 Nm) of torque. This enables the SUV to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds, hit a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h), and have an EPA-estimated range of 239 miles (385 km).
While this is the latest G-Class based Popemobile, Mercedes has been supplying cars to the Vatican for nearly 100 years. The first was a Nürburg 460 Pullman for Pope Pius XI, which was delivered in 1930.
