Tuesday, 24 November 2015 - Although Pope Francis prefers to travel modestly, sometimes surprising his hosts by settling on a low cost car, his predecessors have traditionally used the Popemobile.
The Popemobile is the car the Pope uses to move around locations that he visits. There are numerous designs from several vehicle brands.
Pope Francis’ model is the Mercedes Benz M-Class SUV, which according to sources, has already been shipped into the country in readiness for his much anticipated visit.
The car has very unique features that enable the Pope to be visible to large crowds but still be safe.
See some of the most interesting facts about his Popemobile.
In case of an explosive being hurled at him, the glass acts as a secure cover that will absorb the shock wave without cracking.
Run flat tyres: This mobile is fitted with run-flat tyres, perhaps because it wouldn’t be a good idea to have a flat tyre. This is another awesome feature that serves as a convenient accessory to the machine.
Can operate at 112KPH: Despite the heavy modifications, the car still manages to cruise at a tested speed of 70 miles per hour, which is roughly 112.6KPH. Don’t underestimate the minimalist machine! Most of our rickety matatus would breakdown if they were to cruise at that speed.
Air filters: Just like Obama’s Beast, the Popemobile is fitted with this special feature to help guard against biochemical weapons. This is in case a catastrophic toxic gas leak happens at the Pope’s travel location.
Hydraulic lift: The Pope’s chair (positioned in the secure turret) in the car has a hydraulic function. It moves up and down to help the pope be visible when interacting with large crowds.
Weight: The Pope’s car weighs up to 5 tons. This is attributed to its armored body. That’s the same weight as the U.S. M939 Marine Corps Truck. Too heavy huh? Well, it’s worth the Sh54 million.
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