Popemobile to become green machine

MERCEDES-Benz is making a greener, hybrid Popemobile for Benedict XVI.

However, a Vatican spokesman denied a newspaper's prediction that it should be ready for Benedict's visit to his native Germany in September.

According to the report, the new Popemobile will be based on the four-wheel-drive M Class Mercedes with a hybrid electric-gas motor.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery will allow it to drive 16 miles (30 kilometres) without any polluting emissions.

The pope would not be allowed to use a purely electric car because the Popemobile must have the capacity to take off swiftly in case of emergency, according to the report.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman said the group could give no details on its private clients "for reasons of confidentiality."

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