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Benedict XVI Gets New Mercedes M-Class Popemobile

The history of the Popemobile is filled with holy Mercedes SUVs. The age of the open-top G-Class is long gone though, since some people got the idea of shooting His Holiness.
2012 Mercedes M-Class Popemobile 6 photos
Photo: Mercedes Benz
2012 Mercedes M-Class Popemobile2012 Mercedes M-Class Popemobile2012 Mercedes M-Class Popemobile2012 Mercedes M-Class Popemobile2012 Mercedes M-Class Popemobile
And so, the Vatican’s special vehicle now has to be an armor plated, bullet proof greenhouse. This is the latest Popemobile, just unveiled at the Vatican and personally presented by Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche himself to Pope Benedict XVI.

"It is an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile", said Zetsche at the handover of the new Popemobile in Rome. "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."

Compared to the old ML, this Popemobile has better visibility thanks to a larger greenhouse and interior lighting from the roof.

The vehicle arrives just in the nick of time, as the Pope is embarking on a journey to the Spanish Steps to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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