New Mercedes M-Class Popemobile Delivered

Mercedes-Benz and the Vatican have renewed their 80 year old relationship when his holiness Pope Benedict XVI was delivered a brand new custom built Popemobile by Mercedes-Benz Chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche.Dr Zetsche personally handed over the car to the Mercedes-Benz M-Class to the Pope at the Vatican City.

The new Popemobile has been custom built for the Pope with several safety features. As you will notice the car has a glass cabin from which the Pope can give audience to thousands of people while traveling. The cabin has bullet proof glass to provide maximum security to the Pontiff.

Mercedes-Benz has made some structural changes to the new Popemobile. The cabin is taller to provide more space and larger glass panels have been used so that the Pope can be seen easily.

New Mercedes Popemobile

New Mercedes Popemobile

Mercedes-Benz has delivered a new Popemobile to his holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Click through the images to learn more and check-out the video as well.

New Mercedes Popemobile

New Mercedes Popemobile

Mercedes-Benz's chairman of the Board, Dr. Dieter Zetsche personally handed over the new Popemobile based on the M-Class SUV to the Pope.

New Mercedes Popemobile

New Mercedes Popemobile

Dr. Dieter Zetsche has expressed his happiness over Mercedes-Benz's continued relationship with the Vatican. The German carmaker has been supplying cars to the Vatican since 80 years.

New Mercedes Popemobile

New Mercedes Popemobile

The new Popemobile is more spacious and offers a better view to the Pope thanks to larger glass panels. Ingress and egress is also made easier thanks to the large rear door.

New Mercedes Popemobile

New Mercedes Popemobile

The Pope was keen to have a close look at his latest ride. Here he is inside the cabin along with Dr. Zetsche.

New Mercedes Popemobile - Interior

New Mercedes Popemobile - Interior

The throne, the central design feature in the interior, bears the embroidered coat of arms of the Holy Father.

New Mercedes Popemobile - Interior

New Mercedes Popemobile - Interior

The new Popemobile has already made its public debut when the Pope traveled in it on December 8th. Click the next slide to view the video.

Speaking about the new Popemobile, Dr Zetsche said: "It is an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile. As such, we are continuing our long-standing partnership with the Vatican. For more than 80 years now, Popes have been able to rely on the quality, safety and comfort of our Mercedes-Benz vehicles."

The Pope uses the Popemobile during several public appearances in Italy as well as abroad. The Pope has used the new Popemobile on 8th December on the occasion of the Catholic Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception.

Mercedes-Benz has been providing vehicles for the trips and official appearances of the leader of the Catholic Church for more than 80 years now. The first Mercedes-Benz for a Pope was a Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon, provided for Pope Pius XI in 1930. In the 1960s, Pope John XXIII received a 300d Landaulet in the guise of a Cabriolet with automatic transmission. Subsequently, Pope Paul VI first made use of a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet, followed by a 300 SEL.

Most Read Articles

English
Article Published On: Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 13:44 [IST]
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X