Autoblog

Mercedes delivers new Popemobile in Rome

Dan Roth — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Mercedes-Benz, Celebrities, Specialty

Catholics already have a celebration in December in honor of a figure with a nine-month gestation, and that's exactly how long it took the latest Mercedes Benz Popemobile to go from conception to delivery. While The Messiah arrived in a manger, the new Popemobile was delivered by company head Dieter Zetsche, who said "It is an honor for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile."

The new Popemobile is based on the latest M-Class, though the Pope's new SUV features reduced ride height to easier shipment of the vehicle, which happens frequently. The vehicle also features improved visibility and lighting for the Pontiff, which presumably went over well at the vehicle's public debut in Rome at this year's celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Look closely, and you'll see Mercedes-Benz three-pointed stars hanging from lighting fixtures, too. This latest Popemobile continues the trend of Daimler supplying papal transport, a legacy that stretches back 80 years, so look for the Diamond White modified M-Class the next time you see the Holy See. Scroll down for the press release below.

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Mercedes delivers new Popemobile in Rome originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault donates all-electric Popemobile to His Holiness

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Europe, Renault, Electric

Popes know how to travel in style, as the long list of iconic Popemobiles can attest to. In recent years, His Holiness Benedict XVI - aka the "Green Pope" - has been trying to clean up those bubbly vehicles with alternative powertrains. He wanted a plug-in hybrid from Mercedes-Benz or a solar-powered car, but those have yet to come to fruition. In July, the Vatican did get an all-electric vehicle from NWG Zero.

The latest holy roller is a new all-electric vehicle from Renault. Modified with help from Gruau, the Kangoo Maxi Z.E. was donated to the Vatican by Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn at the Holy Father's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The Pope's bodyguards can ride in EV style, too, since Renault donated a second EV, that one decked out in blue and white, to the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City.

The EVs use lithium-ion batteries for an estimated range of 105 miles on the lenient European NEDC test cycle. The interiors "are fitted with two particularly comfortable separate seats at the rear," says Renault. The roof opens, too, in case His Holiness would like to stand and wave at people who don't get free electric cars.

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Renault donates all-electric Popemobile to His Holiness originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz working on M-Class Hybrid Popemobile

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Europe, Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, Police/Emergency, Specialty

The Papal motorcade is packed with new cars, but the most famous of them is the Popemobile. Typically based on a Mercedes-Benz sport-ute, most recent examples have been modified versions of the G-Wagen or M-Class (like the one pictured above).

His Holiness has vocalized his desire for an all-electric vehicle, even a solar-powered one. But while moving all that bulletproof glass around on battery power alone might require no less a feat than an act of God, he may be about to get the next best thing.

Reports indicate that, at Benedict XVI's request, Mercedes-Benz is preparing a hybrid Popemobile based on the new M-Class. The vehicle would allow the pontiff to be chauffeured around on electric power at parade speed for up to 16 miles before the gasoline engine would need to kick in, a benefit similar to that enjoyed by neighboring head of state Prince Albert II of Monaco in his Lexus LS 600h L.

President Obama may not have gotten his wish with a hybrid Cadillac One, but we could be looking at a new trend in parade transportation for the wealthiest of public figures.

Mercedes-Benz working on M-Class Hybrid Popemobile originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pope Benedict wants... solar-powered electric Popemobile?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Technology, Specialty, Electric

Pope Benedict XVI is quickly becoming known as the "Green Pope." During his time at the top of the Catholic Church, His Holiness has made a point to preach sustainable energy, and he's backed up his words with actions. In 2008, photovoltaic cells were installed on the roof of a Vatican auditorium, and in 2009, a solar cooling unit was added to the Vatican cafeteria.

The Washington Post is now reporting that Pope Benedict wants to take another step towards a greener footprint with a solar-powered Popemobile. The Vatican says that a solar Pope transporter would be a rolling tribute to the Pontiff's message to promote sustainable energy. But while the Pope's idea is a good one, so far there apparently are no automakers willing to take on the task.

The German firm SolarWorld, which installed the cells atop the Vatican auditorium, says it can build the Pope an electric solar car, but marketing boss Milan Nitzschke claims that a major hurdle is getting the Vatican security to sign off on such an endeavor. There are apparently concerns about a solar Popemobile having enough speed to take off if there are any security incidents. Nitzschke says that power won't be an issue, but with a huge bulletproof dome atop a vehicle that's bound to weigh several thousand pounds, we're thinking range could be a problem as well.

Is a solar Popemobile possible? Of course, but it may not sport large areas of solar cells atop the Pope's bulbous sled. It may be more practical to have an electric Popemobile with large yet portable solar cell arrays that can plug in and charge the vehicle when it isn't on the Papal parade route.

[Source: The Washington Post | Image: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty]

Pope Benedict wants... solar-powered electric Popemobile? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Pope puts smackdown on Fiat, backs striking Italian plant workers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Fiat

We're not entirely sure what keeping Fiat jobs in Italy has to do with the Catholic Church - other than the fact that the Pope was given a Ducato van from the automaker last year - but we guess that's not really any of our business, right? Whatever the case, Pope Benedict XVI has urged Fiat and the Italian government to keep Italian workers employed. "Everything possible must be done to save jobs that are in danger, especially in areas in crisis such as Termini Imerese," said the Pope.

Last Wednesday, at least two-thirds of Italy's 80,000 Fiat workers (including those for Ferrari and Maserati) went on strike to protest the planned closure of Fiat's Termini Imerese plant. The company's smallest plant, the facility is located on the island of Sicily, and Fiat claims shipping parts to the remote location is too expensive.

In the end, though, it all seems for naught, as Fiat has signaled that it still plans to move forward with the plant's closure. According to the Italian government, there have been seven separate proposals to purchase the plant and convert it for another use, perhaps even as a supermarket or Ikea store.

[Source: NPR, Business Week]

Report: Pope puts smackdown on Fiat, backs striking Italian plant workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: GoldenPalace.com Popemobile

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

It's ba-ack. The VW Golf that drew 8.5 million hits the first time it appeared on eBay is back on the block. That was almost two years ago in May of 2005, believe it or not. In case you don't remember, this 1999 Volkswagen Golf was the personal conveyance of then-Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, until shortly before his ascendance to Popehood. The Cardinal sold the car and it ended up in the hands of one Benjamin Halbe, who had no idea who the former owner was, but hit the jackpot when Ratzinger became Pope. The 6-year-old grey car sold for almost €190,000 when press-hungry GoldenPalace.com decided they had to have it. Well, apparently the novelty has worn off and it's time to shed the vehicle from their collection of oddities.

GoldenPalace.com has put the VeeDub up for sale and promises that the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity Great Britain. They also say that the car has not been driven since it was bought in 2005, so mileage should still be around 75,000 KM. In case the lucky bidder decides to drive the car, they should know that it has been started and features a 5-speed manual transmission, AC, PW, PL, tilt steering, cassette stereo, alloys, ABS, dual front airbags, side airbags, safety belt pretensioners, and presumably, God as your co-pilot. With more than eight days left, the bidding is already over $55,000.

[Source: eBay via German Car Scene]

eBay Find of the Day: GoldenPalace.com Popemobile originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Papal Power: VW presents Pope Benedict with 450HP Phaeton

Alex Nunez — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:23:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Volkswagen

The Pope has a new set of wheels. VW's head honcho, Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, has presented Pope Benedict XVI with a customized long wheelbase W12 Phaeton. The car is trimmed out to maximize the Holy Father's privacy, comfort and security (translation: it's armored) as he's shuttled about in the 450-horsepower super-sled.

More photos of the presentation of the car to the Pope can be found after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

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Papal Power: VW presents Pope Benedict with 450HP Phaeton originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo hands XC90 keys over to His Holiness

John Neff — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 08:37:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Volvo

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was forced to give up his rather secular ride, a 1999 Volkswagen Golf, when he became Pope Benedict XVI. Feeling bad for the old guy, Volvo handed over a set of Volvo XC90 keys to His Holiness yesterday. The SUV is dark blue with a light-colored interior, which doesn't really matter much since the Pope only goes mobile in the patented Popemobile that can deflect bullets and survive bomb blasts. As far as we know, Volvo's don't deflect bullets or survive bomb blasts very well, so perhaps the Bishops can use the XC90 for late night pizza runs.

[Source: SwedeSpeed]

Volvo hands XC90 keys over to His Holiness originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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