New Popemobile: Francis nixes Mercedes for a humble Hyundai Santa Fe
Pope Francis is known for eschewing some of his position's more聽听辫别谤办蝉.
He doesn't live in the Vatican's palatial papal apartments, but rather a more humble guest house, and his restrained robes are a decided departure from the lavish costumes preferred by his predecessor, Benedict XVI. And while聽, his latest ride is built by a company with more humble roots than the German giant, Hyundai.
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The new ride breaks an 80-year streak for聽Mercedes-Benz as the purveyor of popemobiles, though the聽Hyundai's聽smaller size and lower profile鈥攁nd not brand identity鈥攚as the apparent reason for the switch.聽
翱蹿听, the 2015 Santa Fe isn't exactly stock. The engine is still the 2.2-liter CRDi turbo-diesel unit, but the top is open鈥攏o bulletproof bubble for this people's Pope鈥攁nd there are retractable steps at the rear door to facilitate standing exits.
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How long this popemobile will see service is anyone's guess, but we think the thrifty Holy See will want to get his聽聽out of the Santa Fe's 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty [if he were in the U.S., alas].
But if he trades it in for聽, we'll let you know.
