The Mazana II is a boxy and utilitarian six-seat 4×4 constructed across the diesel drivetrain of the Citroen Berlingo, sitting in a twin-rail chassis topped with a physique manufactured from strengthened polyester resin. The Mazana II went on sale in 2016, and the agency created an open-air model for the go to of Pope Francis in 2019.
Curiously, the socialist state-run Karenjy manufacturing unit first produced a popemobile in 1989, when John Paul II visited. The agency was mothballed in 1993 earlier than being restarted 15 years later.
Toyota Mirai
One of many newest additions to the Vatican automotive fleet is the Toyota Mirai popemobile. Two comparable vehicles have been ready by Toyota for Pope Francis’s Japanese tour in 2019, based mostly on the world’s first serial-production hydrogen fuel cell-powered automotive, which went on restricted sale in sure markets, together with the UK, again in 2014.
The Toyota conversion follows the acquainted theme with customised rear bodywork geared toward maximising the pope’s visibility, however the angular steel framework of the open rear compartment seems fairly incongruously clunky in contrast with the futuristic entrance finish. One of many pair of vehicles now resides on the Vatican, having been offered to His Holiness by the Catholic Bishops’ Convention of Japan.
Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ know-how
The identify is a little bit of a mouthful, however there’s undeniably a theme right here – the Vatican loves a Merc. This latest popemobile is one other G-Class, however this one has a inexperienced conscience, as a result of it is the primary ever electric car to formally carry His Holiness.
It was constructed for Pope Francis to journey emissions-free for the 2025 Jubilee, or Jubilee of Hope – a celebration that solely occurs each 25 years. The ‘G-Wagen’ was tailored for the Pope’s use, as you’d count on, with a bespoke coachbuilt rear-end, however intriguingly so too has the powertrain. The G580‘s 4 near-wheel electrical motors have been recalibrated to permit the automotive to journey slowly at public appearances.
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