Mercedes Unveils High-Tech G-Class Popemobile For Pope Francis

Pope Francis has just received a special gift from Mercedes—a brand-new Popemobile based on the G 580, now upgraded with EQ technology. This unique  Mercedes G-Class continues a long tradition of G-Class Popemobiles that have served Popes like John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.

The vehicle, developed closely with the Vatican, sports a pearl white exterior and an open-top design. Mercedes made some major changes to the G-Class for this special version. The left rear door was taken out and seamlessly integrated into the body, while the right rear door was reworked to open suicide-style for easier access.

Inside, there’s an elevated platform with a swiveling, height-adjustable seat for the Pope, designed for simple movement and allowing him to interact with the crowd from different angles. Behind the chair, two jump-style seats are available, and the G-Class also has rear steps and platforms for security.

If the weather turns, the Popemobile can be fitted with a hardtop for extra protection. While Mercedes hasn’t shared all the performance details, they did confirm the car features a quad-motor all-wheel-drive system, fine-tuned for low-speed driving during public events. A 116 kWh battery powers the standard G-Class, providing it with 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque, and a range of approximately 239 miles.

This new Popemobile continues Mercedes’ near-century-long tradition of providing cars to the Vatican, which started in 1930 when Pope Pius XI received the first Mercedes, the Nürburg 460 Pullman.