Had me thinking, how does it travel about the world, I’m sure it doesn’t have its own C-130? More thought suggested that the glass showcase is detachable and it all goes into the standard Popeplane. Then it must be a rush to get it out and re-assembled to reach the foot of the steps for the Pope to enter. 😀
By: DC Page - 17th September 2010 at 17:02
The Popemobile is carried from place to place on board the Vatican’s custom Antonov Popeliner. For getting into smaller fields it can be transported slung underneath the heavy-lift Sikorsky Popecopter. Next question?
By: Bob - 17th September 2010 at 15:23
Reminds me of the monstrosity Clarkson drove in that motorhome challenge they did recently…
http://europeanmotornews.com/2010/08/09/motorhomes-join-world-of-top-gear-line-up/
By: tornado64 - 17th September 2010 at 14:46
The popemobile is based on a mercedes M-class, specifically the ML350. It travels due to its powerful 3.5 liter 4-valve V6 providing 272Hp.
sorry, could not resist
it sounds good until you sit down and work out the weight it is hauling
the vehicle is bomb proof , bullet proof and gas attack proof
no matter how big the engine or how good the chassis it is never going to be good at performance figures !!
By: tornado64 - 17th September 2010 at 14:42
only counts if he’s in it !!!
besides theye’d have to fill the vacancy first !!
By: Sky High - 17th September 2010 at 14:27
:D:D:D
By: DazDaMan - 17th September 2010 at 13:01
Who wouldn’t love* to see the Popemobile taken around the Top Gear track?! :diablo:
*Apart from Moggy, of course! :p
By: tenthije - 17th September 2010 at 12:59
The popemobile is based on a mercedes M-class, specifically the ML350. It travels due to its powerful 3.5 liter 4-valve V6 providing 272Hp.
sorry, could not resist
By: DazDaMan - 17th September 2010 at 12:48
it has a limmiter for working in crowds , probably removable , but would you drive it faster with that weight of bullet proof glass that high up ??
So long as you didn’t have to go around a tight corner, yes…!
By: EGPH - 17th September 2010 at 12:37
How many heads of state travel in sealed bullet proof vehicles, anyway?
I suppose the vast majority!
By: tornado64 - 17th September 2010 at 12:37
I don’t think the top speed is 6 mph! It is a Mercedes and the BBC said the top speed was ‘classified’. 😀
it has a limmiter for working in crowds , probably removable , but would you drive it faster with that weight of bullet proof glass that high up ??
By: Sky High - 17th September 2010 at 12:27
How many heads of state travel in sealed bullet proof vehicles, anyway? If he were to be popped off there are plenty of cardinals in the queue to take over. Waste of a few decent Mercs, I reckon.
By: EGPH - 17th September 2010 at 12:08
I have also heard that it has a top speed of 160 mph. However I would hate to think of the aerodynamic stress on the rear half of it driving at more than 80 mph or so.
Of course as he got off the plane at EDI he did not board the Pope mobile but a Jaguar XF with heavily tinted windows!
By: Merlin Madness - 17th September 2010 at 12:01
Its powered by small boys who are chained to a tread mill with Rosary beads.
By: Newforest - 17th September 2010 at 08:52
There are two Popemobiles and they arrived in Britain by road. The top speed is reported as being 160 mph. It doesn’t look as though the ‘turret’ is detachable.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1311980/POPE-VISIT-Holy-Merc-transport-Benedict-XVI-UK.html
By: Newforest - 17th September 2010 at 08:46
I don’t think the top speed is 6 mph! It is a Mercedes and the BBC said the top speed was ‘classified’. 😀
By: tornado64 - 17th September 2010 at 07:50
god is on his side !!!
after all nothing says you have faith in god like 3” of bullet proof glass
it will have been carriage built with all consideration for transport and quick assembly although it may not even strip down
with the time between visits to individual countries it may even go by sea
and travel on a recovery truck between engagements once there
as the vehicle is limited to 6 mph
however i would have prefered seing the original british popemobile
the leyland truck last i heard it was auctioned from the albion truck museum when it closed ( unsure of its whereabouts or survival now ) but what a vehicle !!!
http://www.thomsonroddick.com/auction/2006/0901/popemobile.jpg
Sign In
September 17, 2010 at 7:39 am
