- Mercedes delivered Pope Francis’ new electrical Popemobile, a modified G 580 with EQ Know-how
- The most recent Popemobile continues a 94-year custom of Mercedes offering autos for the Catholic Church
- The primary electrical Popemobile was delivered in 2017 and was primarily based on an Opel Ampera-E
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius headed to the Vatican on Wednesday to personally greet Pope Francis and hand over the keys to the Pontiff’s new Popemobile, a modified Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
The donor G-Class was an electrical G 580 with EQ Know-how, making this the primary Mercedes Popemobile to be powered by batteries. It isn’t the primary electrical Popemobile, although. That honor goes to a Popemobile primarily based on the Opel Ampera-E, delivered to Pope Francis in 2017. The Ampera-E is a rebadged Chevrolet Bolt that was briefly bought by Opel when the model was nonetheless a part of Basic Motors.
The most recent Popemobile follows an extended line of Mercedes-Benz autos utilized by the leaders of the Catholic Church over the previous 94 years. The primary was a Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon for Pope Pius XI, delivered in 1930. This was adopted by a 600 Pullman Landaulet and 300 SEL for Pope John XXIII. His successor, Paul VI, used a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet and, later, a 300 SEL.
A G-Class has served as the premise for Mercedes’ Popemobiles because the Eighties, at which level the Popemobile identify turned popularized. The primary G-Class-based Popemobile was utilized by Pope John Paul II, who commonly used it for celebrations in Saint Peter’s Sq..
Popemobile primarily based on the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Know-how
The brand new electrical Popemobile is slated to enter motion later this month when Pope Francis makes an official go to to Brazil. It’s going to additionally characteristic prominently in the course of the upcoming 2025 Jubilee celebrations.
The G 580 with EQ Know-how, which was launched for the 2025 mannequin yr, includes a quad-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain rated at 579 hp. Nonetheless, the Pope’s model is provided with a powertrain designed for the low speeds required for public appearances.
On the rear of the car is a rotating seat that permits for versatile motion and allows addressing an viewers from varied angles. Positioned behind this seat are two further seats, built-in on the left and proper, to accommodate further passengers. A protecting cover can be added when essential to take care of inclement climate.
