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The all-new Popemobile

By Alborz Fallah |

Pope Benedict XVI, a German, has been handed the keys to his latest car, a shining white, open-top Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

The all-new Popemobile

Mercedes-Benz says the car was developed over a two-year period with close consultation with the Vatican. This Popemobile will only be used in fine weather, although one would suspect given it’s the Pope, fine weather should not be an issue.

Believe it or not the Popemobile is based on the G 500. Extra equipment includes a folding windscreen and hand-rails.

The exterior and interior is white, the car can only be boarded via via steps lined in red at the rear. Mercedes-Benz has a long history of supplying the Vatican with cars, a tradition that first started with Pope Pius XI in 1930 with a Nürburg 460 Pullman limousine.

The all-new Popemobile

The new Popemobile joins numerous M and S-Class models with special protection in the Vatican car park (as well as a one-fifth scale model of Ferrari’s 2004 championship winning F2004 Formula 1 car)


 

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  • Craig

    This is fascinating, but don’t you think the Batmobile may be a better option?

  • bubba ganush

    he is an open target for snipers with that open top

  • John

    Wouldn’t a Landrover Defender painted white have just fit in?

  • http://Toyota Blue Blood

    Needs 22 inch Chromies!

  • Frugal One

    U forgot to mention that the first Popemobile was the MIGHTY Fiat Campagnola

    The world’s FIRST 4×4 with IRS front and rear, and also 5 speed Diesel.

    Would destroy a LandRover 109 of the same era with ease.

    Alleged to be able to climb a 150% slope, L/Rover [when actually operating] and the Jappers give up the ghost at 100%

    Cheers

    F-0

    **VOTE-NOW!**

  • Allan

    wrong…it needs 22 inch chormies with spinners! LoL

  • JW

    Wasn’t the last one an ML? This is a step backwards.

  • Andrew M

    yeah you gotta love all those security guys all round the car.
    if anyone was serious they would be on the roof top with the scope out.

  • 280zx

    Quote= ” he is an open target for snipers with that open top”

    Aaaaand your point ? Haaaaaaaa