New Popemobile Is $1.5-Million Lancia

Pope John Paul II got some new wheels last week: a custom-made, armored Lancia from Italian auto maker Fiat.

The metallic black car, bearing the papal coat of arms in gold, was presented to John Paul by Fiat Chairman Paolo Fresco and Managing Director Paolo Cantarella after the pontiff’s weekly general audience last week.

As his official car, the pope had been using a 1997 Mercedes-Benz S500 sedan.

Fiat is calling the new car the Lancia Giubileo (Jubilee) for the Vatican’s holy year in 2000.

It weighs about 2 tons and has a six-cylinder, 24-valve engine with automatic transmission. The Italian auto magazine Quattroruote estimated the car’s value at about $1.5 million.

The features include a sliding roof, to allow the pontiff to stand; an audio system, to allow him to address crowds; and a folding desk for use by his secretary.

The papal number plate is SCV 1, for Vatican City State 1.