Press release
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july 16, 2020 - Mercedes-Benz
Premiere 40 years ago: “Popemobile” based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- A G model for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Germany.
- The off-road vehicle with transparent superstructure became colloquially known as the “Popemobile”
- Experience the original vehicle from the #mercedesbenz Classic collection until September 2020 at the “40 years G-Class” special exhibition at the #mercedesbenz Museum
Stuttgart. There had not been such a pontifical vehicle until 1980: Instead of being chauffeured around in the usual black, representative limousine, John Paul II used a nacre white #mercedesbenz 230 G with golden details for the first time during his visit to Germany forty years ago. The rear of this special G model features a bench for the Holy Father, which was installed on a continuous floor panel that was raised by 40 centimetres and protected by a high, transparent dome made of artificial glass. Consequently, the Pope remained easily visible for the, on some occasions, several hundred thousand #people attending the events, both when he was sitting down and standing up. Various lights were integrated into the sides, floor and roof of the superstructure, which were used to provide direct as well as indirect lighting and made sure the Roman Pontiff also remained well visible even in the dark.
Experience the original “Popemobile” from the #mercedesbenz Classic collection until September 2020 at the “G-Schichten” (G stories) special exhibition at the #mercedesbenz Museum on the occasion of the G-Class’ 40th #anniversary. The museum is currently open from Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ticket desk always closes at 5 p.m. The exhibition in Collection room 5 tells the history of the G-Class with eleven vehicles and other exhibits.
From unique specimen to media star
Mercedes-Benz specifically developed and produced this unique vehicle (length: 4,392 millimetres, width: 1,950 millimetres, height: 2,800 millimetres) for the Pope’s visit between 15 and 19 November 1980 and initially provided it to the Vatican on loan. The equipment of the G model with long wheelbase included elements such as a powerful automatic air conditioning unit. It ensured pleasant temperatures within the transparent dome even in summer and prevented its panes from fogging up in rain and conditions with high levels of humidity. The vehicle is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine generating 75 kW (102 hp). The automatic transmission and a particularly comfortable chassis and suspension guarantee a smooth ride, even in challenging terrain.
The Perspex superstructure was intended to protect the Pope from the elements without obstructing worshippers’ view of him and was initially designed as a removable unit. Following the assassination attempt in 1981, the G model was converted and equipped with bulletproof glazing. #mercedesbenz adapted the pontifical G-Class’ equipment to the Vatican’s updated safety specifications in 1983 and again in 1985.
The Pontifex’s trip 40 years ago was a special occasion marking the first time in almost 200 years that a head of the Catholic Church made a visit to Germany. Highlights included services in front of massive crowds of worshippers at Theresienwiese in Munich, Finthen air field in Mainz and at the premises of Butzweilerhof in Cologne. The new pontifical vehicle convincingly demonstrated its strengths in every terrain, including on and off surfaced roads. The vehicle itself became a star as a result of the great media attention it received. The G-Class was colloquially known as the “Popemobile”, and it became John Paul II’s iconic mode of pontifical transport, accompanying him on many of his visits around the globe. The Mercedes star badge was even removed on one occasion when, for the Pope’s visit to Austria in 1983, the “Popemobile” was equipped with the Puch badge. Back then, the G model, which had been developed and produced as a joint project of #mercedesbenz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch, had been marketed in Austria under this brand.
The 1980 230 G “Popemobile” is not the only one based on the G-Class. A second vehicle with almost identical exterior features was created in as early as 1982 on the basis of the 230 GE, generating 92 kW (125 hp). These two off-road vehicles from the 460 model series, introduced in 1979, could frequently be distinguished on old photographs by their registration numbers: While the 230 G usually had the registration number SCV 7, the 230 GE featured the registration number SCV 6. In 1982, #mercedesbenz permanently handed over both vehicles to the Vatican. The first ever “Popemobile”, showcased at the Stuttgart-based museum, returned to the southern German city in 2004 and has formed part of the #mercedesbenz Classic collection ever since.
In November 2007, Pope Benedict XVI was provided with a mystic white G 500 (463 model series), featuring an open-top body and a folding windscreen. At audiences in the Vatican, this G-Class is used either as a fully fledged convertible or with a transparent, weather-proof roof section like during Pope Francis’ visit to Brazil in July 2013.
Mercedes-Benz pontifical vehicles
The 1980 #mercedesbenz 230 G “Popemobile” forms part of a long history of #mercedesbenz pontifical vehicles. The beginning of this history dates back 90 years to 1930 with the Nürburg 460 (W 08) type, featuring an individual body built at the special body construction department in Sindelfingen. For instance, a #mercedesbenz 300 Landaulet (W 189, 1960) followed 60 years ago as well as a #mercedesbenz 600 Pullman Landaulet (W 100) 55 years ago as the Pontiff’s representative vehicles. These were followed by further vehicles – from the S-Class saloon to the M-Class. However, the public does not associate any other pontifical vehicle as closely with the visits of well-travelled Pope John Paul II as the “Popemobile” on the basis of the G-Class.
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