Popemobile Enters Sustainability Era With Unique Handcrafted Electric Mercedes G-Class

Mercedes-Benz first started supplying various cars and other vehicles to the Vatican 94 years ago, and almost half of the time – for the past 45 years, the Pope has used the legendary "Popemobiles" based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Colloquially known as the 'G-Wagen,' the four-wheel drive luxury SUV is produced for Mercedes by Magna Steyr (formerly Steyr-Daimler-Puch) in Graz, Austria. It was originally developed as a military off-road vehicle, but it has acquired a cult status as a luxury object in time.

Now, for the first time ever, the latest Popemobile created by Mercedes-Benz for Pope Francis has become a zero-emissions vehicle. To celebrate the achievement, Pope Francis invited the company's CEO, along with the teams involved in the creation of the Popemobile from Graz, Sindelfingen, and Rome, to a private audience. Naturally, they also used the opportunity to perform the hand-over ceremony of the new, unique handmade vehicle based on the latest electric G-Class to Pope Francis in the Vatican on December 4, 2024.

"With the new Popemobile, Pope Francis is the first to travel 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-neutral new car fleet in 2039," said Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

The appointment was held just outside St Peter's Basilica, and the Holy Father also met with those who developed and built his new vehicle – a team of specialists from Graz, Sindelfingen, and Rome jointly worked for around a year on the vehicle. The Rome team managed the entire project, and the electric drivetrain was adapted by the team in Graz. At the same time, the folks over from Sindelfingen produced the "bodywork, interior fittings, and customized equipment using traditional craftsmanship."

Naturally, the starting point of the new Popemobile is the new G 580 with EQ technology, which has donated its drivetrain and has been adapted for very slow journeys at public appearances. The bench was replaced in the rear by a central single seat with swiveling and height adjustments. Behind it, there are also a couple of additional seats on the left and right for extra passengers. Also, there's no more roof, and the B-pillar was incorporated into the side wall. However, in case of inclement weather, there's a separate hardtop. As always, the vehicle paint is the classic Pearl White.