The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (CBCJ) has commissioned Toyota to convert a hydrogen-powered Mirai saloon into a Popemobile as a gift to His Holiness, Pope Francis. The modified Mirai is well-suited for Pope Francis, who is well-known for his profound interest in global environmental matters. The Popemobile will allow him to take on public appearances.
The converted $80,000 / £66,000 Mirai gifted to His Holiness is one of two custom-built for the pope’s visit to Japan in November 2019. It features an entirely redesigned rear section, with the traditional elevated platform so that he’s highly visible as he greets large crowds while being transported around. The platform features a safety cage and a transparent roof positioned roughly 9 feet off the ground so that the Holy Father can stand and wave to the crowd.
Red steps fitted to the rear doors allow for easy entry into the platform, including a white seat with protective glass on both sides that have the golden gilded Vatican crests etched into them. Yellow diplomat flags are attached on the front wings, and a pair of LED beams are connected to the underside of the external structure.
The Toyota Mirai combines a 153bhp electric motor powered by a hydrogen-electric generator, with the gas stored in a pair of tanks. Top speeds reach up to 111mph, and the vehicle can accelerate to 62mph in just 9.6 seconds. However, with the supreme pontiff on board, it will mainly be driven at a pedestrian pace.
Since the Popemobile will be driving at low-speed limits, its maximum range with two full tanks of hydrogen could exceed the claimed 310 miles. As a bonus, it emits only water from its exhaust and takes between three to five minutes to refuel, which is significantly faster than a typical battery-electric vehicle.
Finally, the Popemobile is slightly stretched, measuring 5.1 meters rather than the conventional car’s 4.8-meters length. It’s also much taller than the standard model, with the height (including the roof) at 2.7 meters.
Toyota explained:
Pope Francis has a deep interest in global environmental matters, which he shared in his encyclical ‘Laudato si’ ‘in 2015. This is his appeal to safeguard the earth and all that surrounds us, changing our lifestyle to preserve our’ common home’. The Toyota Mirai is well suited to his vision.
The Mirai (未来) is translated from Japanese to English as ‘the future.’ Toyota’s Mirai, launched in 2015, was one of the first mass-produced and commercially sold fuel cell vehicles at the time. However, few have been registered in the UK due to its high price.
