Pope Leo XIV – the first American pope in history – is preparing to visit Uruguay for two days starting on November 6. And, of course, a suitable Popemobile is needed to get him around during public appearances, which is where Fiat comes in. This undertaking saw the automaker teaming up with Nordex SA, a Stellantis industrial partner based in Uruguay.
Together they built the vehicle which will take Pope Leo through the cities of Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida during his upcoming visit. And yes, it turns out Uruguay has a Florida of its own. The base model chosen for this Popemobile conversion was the Fiat Titano, a midsize pickup sold primarily in Latin America and parts of Africa.
So, What’s This Fiat Truck All About?
Fiat Titano PopemobileStellantis
First things first, we’re inclined to believe readers from Europe and America have little to no clue about this regional Fiat model, so let us give you a quick rundown. The Titano comes with a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel, capable of producing up to 200 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It’s available with rear- or all-wheel drive configurations, and shifting takes place either through a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic.
The pickup features a body-on-frame construction and a 2,500-pound payload capacity, while being able to tow up to 7,700 pounds. There’s nothing too fancy about it, but folks looking for a bit more pizzazz can opt for the flagship Ranch trim offering 18-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded interior, and a 360-degree camera. And, essentially, the Fiat Titano is a rebadged version of the Peugeot Landtrek sold in other markets.
How Does The Titano Become A Popemobile?
Fiat Titano PopemobileStellantis
As you might’ve noticed, Pope Leo’s ride is no regular Titano. Nordex had the truck bed outfitted with a height-adjustable swivel seat in the center, as well as a couple of padded benches left and right. The seats are all upholstered in white leather, and an abundance of red carpeting lines the base and sides.
Guard rails were put in place for safety, while easy access into the truck’s rear section is made possible by retractable electronic steps. A transparent roof supported by metal tubing provides protection from the elements, and Vatican City flags are mounted right above the headlights at the front. The Vatican’s insignia is also present on the doors, but the whole vehicle is otherwise finished in white.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
This isn’t the first time a Fiat model served as the official Popemobile during a pontiff’s visit to South America. Pope Francis rode in a Fiat Idea when visiting Brazil in 2013, but that one was devoid of all the ceremonial stuff at the pope’s request. Nordex went the whole nine yards with the Titano pickup, though.
And the stark contrast between the two Fiat pontiff-haulers is perhaps the most interesting thing about the automaker’s Popemobile saga. Essentially, Pope Francis was all about that sleeper character with the Idea, whereas his successor doesn’t seem to mind the attention as he shows his American roots with a pickup.
