Click to enlarge.
Mercedes-Benz said that Ola Källenius and the team members gave a handmade unique vehicle based on the new electric G-Class to Pope Francis in the Vatican today. Mercedes-Benz has supplied cars to the Vatican for 94 years, and for the past 45 years, the Pope has been using the so-called “Popemobiles” based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.*
“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-neutral1 new car fleet in 2039,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
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Ola Källenius was accompanied by Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing, and Marc Langenbrinck, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Italia, at the appointment just outside St Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father also met with those who developed and built his new vehicle. Employees from Design, Research & Development, Manufacturing and Sales & Marketing were also invited to the event and were able to hand over “their” vehicle on behalf of many others involved. The handover was followed by a private audience with the Pope. A team of specialists from Graz (A), Sindelfingen (D) and Rome (I) worked together for around a year. The project was managed by the team in Rome while the electric drivetrain was adapted by the team in Graz. The experts from Sindelfingen produced the bodywork, interior fittings and customized equipment using traditional craftsmanship.
The New G 580 with EQ technology
- The electric drivetrain of the new G 580 with EQ technology was adapted to use the advantages of the four electric motors near each wheel for the special purpose of slow journeys at public appearances.
- In the rear of the vehicle, the bench seat was replaced by a centrally positioned and height-adjustable single seat. This swiveling main seat makes it possible to move around flexibly and address an audience from different angles. Behind the single seat, two single seats have been integrated on the left and right for additional passengers.
- The roof was removed at the B-pillar, and the B-pillar itself was moved into the side wall to create an unmistakable side profile.
- In case of rain or bad weather conditions, a separate hardtop offers protection for the occupants.
- The left rear door was removed and rebuilt by the specialists – in traditional coachbuilding style – from a single piece and welded into the bodyshell.
- On the right-hand side, the hinges of the rear door were relocated to the opposite side.
- As with previous Popemobiles, the vehicle is painted in classic pearl white.
Mercedes-Benz Vatican Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz has been manufacturing vehicles for the head of the Catholic Church and his travels and public appearances for almost 100 years. The first vehicle of this type was a Nürburg 460 Pullman Sedan for Pope Pius XI from 1930. At the time, Mercedes-Benz was awarded the delivery contract due to the overall package. The team at the time transferred an important characteristic of previous carriages to the vehicle – the ability to accommodate two dignitaries and other staff using folding seats.
In the 1960s, John XXIII received a 300 Landaulet with an automatic transmission and extended wheelbase. His successor Paul VI initially used a 600 Pullman Landaulet and later a 300 SEL – also a Landaulet. In the 1980s, John Paul II used the first vehicle officially called “Popemobile” for events in St. Peter’s Square, a modified 460 series G-Class model. From 2002, he used a 463 series G 500, which was also used by his successors Benedict XVI and Francis. Specially-designed vehicles based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the GLE were also used at times. After retirement from service, some of the Popemobiles were placed for viewing in the Vatican and the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Pope Francis Gets Electric G-Class From Mercedes
Click to enlarge.
Mercedes-Benz said that Ola Källenius and the team members gave a handmade unique vehicle based on the new electric G-Class to Pope Francis in the Vatican today. Mercedes-Benz has supplied cars to the Vatican for 94 years, and for the past 45 years, the Pope has been using the so-called “Popemobiles” based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.*
“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-neutral1 new car fleet in 2039,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Click for more.
Ola Källenius was accompanied by Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing, and Marc Langenbrinck, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Italia, at the appointment just outside St Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father also met with those who developed and built his new vehicle. Employees from Design, Research & Development, Manufacturing and Sales & Marketing were also invited to the event and were able to hand over “their” vehicle on behalf of many others involved. The handover was followed by a private audience with the Pope. A team of specialists from Graz (A), Sindelfingen (D) and Rome (I) worked together for around a year. The project was managed by the team in Rome while the electric drivetrain was adapted by the team in Graz. The experts from Sindelfingen produced the bodywork, interior fittings and customized equipment using traditional craftsmanship.
The New G 580 with EQ technology
Mercedes-Benz Vatican Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz has been manufacturing vehicles for the head of the Catholic Church and his travels and public appearances for almost 100 years. The first vehicle of this type was a Nürburg 460 Pullman Sedan for Pope Pius XI from 1930. At the time, Mercedes-Benz was awarded the delivery contract due to the overall package. The team at the time transferred an important characteristic of previous carriages to the vehicle – the ability to accommodate two dignitaries and other staff using folding seats.
In the 1960s, John XXIII received a 300 Landaulet with an automatic transmission and extended wheelbase. His successor Paul VI initially used a 600 Pullman Landaulet and later a 300 SEL – also a Landaulet. In the 1980s, John Paul II used the first vehicle officially called “Popemobile” for events in St. Peter’s Square, a modified 460 series G-Class model. From 2002, he used a 463 series G 500, which was also used by his successors Benedict XVI and Francis. Specially-designed vehicles based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the GLE were also used at times. After retirement from service, some of the Popemobiles were placed for viewing in the Vatican and the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.