Pope Francis’ Fiat 500L Auctioned Away for a Cool $82,000
Pope Francis increased the resale value of his Fiat 500L by four times its MSRP just by sitting in it.
Pope Francis used the 500L for transport when he visited the United States in 2015. The vehicle was meant to symbolize his concern for the environment and also to aid in the perception that he is more concerned about people than material objects.
The Pope’s Fiat was auctioned away in Philadelphia on January 29th for $82,000. The auction featured 19 bidders and only lasted for 11 minutes. All proceeds will go to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Fiat 500L comes standard with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission, which combine to produce 160 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The 500L also yields respectable fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
The Fiat 500L wasn’t the only vehicle used during Pope Francis during his US trip, as he also made use of a white Jeep with open sides, which became known as the “Popemobile.” The open sides of the Jeep allowed the Pope to better connect with people who lined the streets in order to greet him.
It is currently unknown whether Pope Francis’ white Jeep will also be auctioned, but Automotive News reported the Fiat 500L will be on display at the Philadelphia Auto Show.
Video: Pope Francis rides in a Fiat 500L
News Source: CarScoops, Automotive News (subscription required)
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