It's the AMG Holy One: check out Pope Francis’ new modified electric G-Wagon

Behold the latest ‘Popemobile’ which… isn’t a Toyota Mirai. Instead, it takes the form of a lightly modified Mercedes-Benz G580 electric and is therefore as pollutive as a brisk walk through the Vatican. Who needs an AMG One when you can have an AMG… Holy One.

The most obvious change is the open viewing deck which replaces the conventional roof with a raised (and removable) hardtop. Handlebars now run the length of the rear section too, with a mounted step below the tailgate for eased access.

As is customary with Popemobiles (a la Dacia Duster), the Holy One is finished in a classic shade of Pearl White, with a few commemorative vinyls and Vatican City flags specced in for good measure.

The equally white interior gains red flooring, but gone is the conventional rear bench and in its place is a height-adjustable swivel chair that’s flanked by two more seats further back. For when His Holiness wants to show his apprentices how to conduct a proper parade, of course.

Or conduct some speed. A reminder: the all-wheel drive G580 comes with 579bhp, 859lb ft, a 0-62mph time of 4.7s and a top speed of 112mph.

The Holy One continues a near-century-spanning relationship of Mercedes supplying cars for the Vatican. It began with the Nurburg 460 Pullman Saloon for Pope Pius XI in 1930, with follow-ups including Pope John XXIII’s 300 long-wheelbase and Pope John Paul II’s modified W460 G-Wagon - the first to officially don the ‘Popemobile’ name. 

Maybe an actual AMG One in Vatican spec should be considered for 2025?