ePopemobile cleans up Vatican
2012-09-19 09:24
ELECTRIC POPEMOBILE: The Vatican's latest addition to the Popemobile fleet is a Renault Kangoo ZE that has had a few plush modifications.
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI has taken delivery of his first environmentally friendly battery car at a handover near Rome.
The customised Renault Kangoo Maxi ZE is one of two of the boxy runabouts for the papal fleet, each fitted with a 44kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.
PAPAL MODIFICATIONS
The white Renault adorned with the papal coat-of-arms was handed over to the 85-year-old pontiff personally by Renault chief Carlos Ghohn at the pope's summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, Germany's Autobild reported.
Modifications by coachmaker Grunau to the papal Kangoo include two plushly upholstered individual rear seats instead of the standard bench, removable side windows and a sunroof which has been adapted to open at a wider angle than the version usually fitted.
A set of powered steps eases entry to the rear of the car. A second blue electric Kangoo will be used by gendarmes in Vatican City.