It’s good to have friends in high places, as the first customer for the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class has just found out.
Delivered to the smallest country in the world, Vatican City, the new owner is none other than Pope Francis, who makes history in the process.
Mercedes has been making Popemobiles for almost 100 years, supplying a Nürburg 460 Pullman Sedan for Pope Pius XI in 1930, and a 300 Landaulet for John XXIII, a 600 Pullman Landaulet and a 300 SEL Landaulet for Paul VI. The G-Class was first provided to John Paul II in the 1980s and the model has also been used by his successors Benedict XVI and Francis.
The new Popemobile, however, will be the first green machine to be run as a Vatican vehicle and it has been extensively modified for the purpose. The roof has been removed at the B-pillar and the rear seats ditched in favor of a height-adjustable swivel seat for the pontiff and space for two extra passengers. On the left side the rear door has gone, while the right rear door has been reversed to allow easy access to the pope’s platform. In case of rain there’s a removable hard top.
It took a year to perfect the Popemobile in a collaboration between teams in Graz, Austria, Sindelfingen, Germany and Rome, Italy. “From the first sketch to the final sign-off, the team’s work was characterised by great passion, professionalism and respect for the task,” says Development Engineer Klaus Millerferli. “The vehicle represents an incredible amount of manual labor and passion – but it’s also full of state-of-the-art technology. The fact that Pope Francis has invited some of us to hand it over personally really tops everything off. It’s an experience that you’ll tell your grandchildren about.”
Beneath the bespoke bodywork is the regular running gear of the new G580, meaning there’s a 116 kWh battery pack and four permanently excited synchronous electric wheel motors. In total there’s a mighty 579bhp and 859lbft of torque available, although that’s hardly likely to be required on official duty.
“We build the perfect Mercedes for every customer – including, for almost 100 years, the Vatican,” adds Sales & Marketing boss Britta Seeger. “We are overjoyed to be able to fulfil the Holy Father’s wish for an electric Popemobile and are particularly proud to be able to build the vehicle according to his requirements.”
