All-new Popemobile is an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Mercedes-Benz gifts Pope Francis an all-electric G Wagen
We're only weeks away from Christmas and Pope Francis has received an early Christmas present from Mercedes-Benz. In celebration of the brand supplying cars to the Vatican for 94 years, Mercedes-Benz decided to make it special this year.
Recently presented to Pope Francis himself is a special electric G-Class finished in white. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and the team members personally delivered the new electric G-Class to the Supreme Pontiff in the Vatican. With it, the all-electric G-Class is the latest in a long line of G-Class Popemobiles that have been used by previous Popes.
The vehicle itself fulfills specific requirements and was developed in close cooperation with the Vatican, particularly for the Pope's use. For starters, its electric drivetrain was adapted to run at low speeds for public appearances. More importantly, the zero-emissions powertrain means the Popemobile will not emit carbon emissions in time for the 2025 Jubilee – an event that only takes place every 25 years and one for which millions of pilgrims are expected to visit Rome.
“With the new Popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pope to be traveling in a fully electric Mercedes-Benz when making public appearances. This is a special honor for our company, and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust. With this Popemobile, we are also sending out a clear call for electromobility and decarbonization. Mercedes-Benz not only stands for the special and individual – but also for consistently creating the conditions for a net-carbon-neutral new car fleet in 2039,” said Källenius.
Back to the vehicle itself, the electric G-Class is painted Pearl White and features an open-top design. Mercedes-Benz had to remove and modify the rear left door before seamlessly welding it to the bodyshell. Meanwhile, the right rear door now opens coach-style (AKA suicide-style door) and leads to an elevated platform inside the electric G-Class. It has a centrally-positioned swiveling seat that's height adjustable. Should there be rain during the Pope's procession, the G-Class Popemobile can be outfitted with a hardtop.
The exact output figures of the electric Popemobile were not revealed. However, it's most likely based on the G 580 EV which comes with a 116 kWh battery pack that powers a pair of electric motors. It makes a whopping 587 PS with 1,164 Nm of pull and can travel up to 473 km based on the WLTP cycle.
Expect to see Pope Francis along with the electric G-Class soon on public roads.
