Pope rejects armored car for visit to Turkey
Despite fears about his security during his visit to Turkey, Pope Francis has again refused to use an armored car.
The Pope will be driven around Turkey in a simple 2012 Renault Clio Symbol sedan, eschewing the “popemobile.” He has indicated repeatedly that he prefers a simple vehicle, which will allow him to be closer to the people.
Like his predecessor, he prayed at the Blue Mosque, which was his first stop in Istanbul, before visiting the Hagia Sophia, the St. Esprit Cathedral and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on Nov. 29.
The pope surprised the journalists who were waiting for him in front of the Blue Mosque by arriving with a civilian car that did not carry a license plate. Earlier, it was reported that Turkish authorities had refused the pope's request for "a humble car" on the grounds of security. The Pope was driven into Istanbul in a modest silver-coloured Renault, rather than the sleek, bullet-proof limousine that the Turkish authorities had initially offered.
Security personel surround the car carrying Pope Francis during his visit to Istanbul November 29, 2014. Pope Francis began a visit to Turkey on Friday with the delicate mission of strengthening ties with Muslim leaders while condemning violence against Christians and other minorities in the Middle East.
About Renault Clio Symbol:
The second generation uses the running gear of the previous generation car and has a different design than the third generation Clio. The name Clio was dropped in favor to just Symbol, or Thalia in those markets where this name was used on the previous generation.
It was revealed for the first time in August 2008 at the Moscow International Motor Show and went on sale between September and November. The second generation car is longer than the previous by 7 cm (2.8 in) and has a boot capacity of 506 litres (17.9 cu ft).
The new Symbol was designed jointly by Renault's engineering teams in France, Turkey and Romania, for countries in the Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, Turkey, North Africa and as well the Gulf States. Development of the project (codenamed L35) took 26 months. The main production site remains the Oyak-Renault plant in Bursa, Turkey, and from 2009 it is also manufactured in Santa Isabel, Argentina, for the South American market and only with the 1.6 liter 16-valve engine.
It is available in three equipment levels: Authentique, Expression and Privilège. Features included by Authentique are driver airbag, rev-counter or body-colored front and rear bumpers. Expression adds hydraulic power steering, trip computer, electric front windows, height adjustable steering wheel and front seats, folding rear bench seat, rear headrests and body-colored mirrors and electric central locking with remote control. Privilège adds electric mirrors, leather-trimmed steering wheel, foglamps, rear electric windows and radio-CD player with MP3 playback.
In terms of safety, the new Symbol offers driver airbag, passenger airbag, two lateral airbags (depending on version), anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), anti-intrusion strengthening in front and rear doors, height-adjustable front seatbelts, power steering and rear parking sensors.
In December 2008, the second generation of the Renault Symbol was awarded the "Autobest 2009" prize, by a jury made up of journalists from fifteen countries, mainly emerging markets in Eastern and Central Europe.
The Turkish police forces use second generation Renault Symbol cars