Mercedes has just delivered Pope Francis a new electric G-Wagon. And before you ask - no, it doesn't run on holy water, though I suspect that might have been discussed at some point during development. This isn't just any G-Wagon with a fancy chair bolted to it. Mercedes has gone to town on this one, creating what might be the world's first electric vehicle specifically designed for divine intervention. Based on the G 580 with EQ technology (which is what Mercedes calls their electric cars when they want them to sound more expensive), it's finished in pearl white because, well, what else would you paint the Pope's car? The modifications are absolutely biblical. They've taken the left rear door off, rebuilt it, and welded it back into the bodyshell - which is the automotive equivalent of major surgery. The right rear door now opens suicide-style, presumably to make it easier for His Holiness to make a grand entrance. Though I can't help but think someone at Mercedes has been watching too many Rolls-Royce videos. But the real party piece is the Pope's chair. It's not so much a seat as it is a throne that happens to be bolted to a car. It swivels, it's height-adjustable, and it looks more comfortable than most people's living room furniture. There are even two jump seats behind it, though I suspect they're more for the cardinal's security detail than impromptu game of musical chairs. Under all the papal modifications lurks some serious engineering. The standard G 580 EQ comes with a quad-motor setup producing 579 horsepower and enough torque to rotate the Earth slightly - 859 lb-ft to be precise. Though Mercedes says they've "adapted" it for low-speed public appearances, which I assume means they've programmed it not to accidentally do wheelies during Mass. The range is 239 miles, which should be enough for several laps of Vatican City. Though if they do run out of charge, I imagine there might be some divine intervention available. And while the standard G 580 can hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, I suspect that's not high on the list of priorities when you're carrying the head of the Catholic Church. They've even thought about the weather. If things turn biblical in the precipitation department, there's a hardtop that can be fitted. Though given the Pope's connection to the man upstairs, I suspect bad weather might not be too much of an issue. And fun fact: even Toyota has made a popemobile before: This isn't Mercedes' first rodeo when it comes to papal transport. They've been making Popemobiles since 1930, when they delivered a Nürburg 460 Pullman to Pope Pius XI. The original Popemobile Though I suspect that one had slightly fewer electric motors and considerably more engine noise. And on that bombshell, I'm left wondering - if this is what the Pope drives, what does God have in his garage? Though given the state of the climate, I suspect He might also be considering something electric.
