The Return of the 'P1' On the 5th Anniversary of The Porsche Museum Opening
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Since the construction of the first sports car to bear the Porsche name, the 1948 Type 356, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG has been regarded as the world's leading sports car manufacturer. Yet the company’s history dates back to a much earlier period. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche presented the ‘Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton model’ (known as the ‘P1’ for short) – the world’s first Porsche design. After 116 years, the original and unrestored vehicle has been rediscovered and is set to enrich the collection at the Porsche Museum as a technical and historical worldwide sensation. Five years since it opened in January 2009, the addition of this exhibit sees the Porsche Museum rearrange its permanent exhibition. Alongside a restructuring of the layout of the area dedicated to product and motor sport history, the ‘P1’ now forms a centerpiece which introduces visitors to the first part of the exhibition – the Prologue. The innovative vehicle concept of the ‘P1’ will bridge the gap between the past and present day developments such as the Porsche 918 Spyder. As a technological benchmark, the plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder super sports car follows a long tradition that first started 116 years ago with the ‘P1’.
The 'P1', designed and built by Ferdinand Porsche, was one of the first vehicles registered in Austria, and took to the streets of Vienna on 26 June, 1898. Porsche engraved the code 'P1' (stands for Porsche, number 1) on to all of the key components, thus giving the electric vehicle unofficial name.
The highly compact electric drive, weighing just 130 kg, offered an output of 3 hp. For short periods, up to 5 hp could be achieved in overloading mode, allowing the P1 to reach speeds of up to 22 mph (35 km/h). When driven in this manner, the vehicle speed was regulated via a 12-speed controller. The overall range of the vehicle could span up to 50 miles (80 km), a considerable feat for a vehicle of that period. A further innovation was the Lohner alternating vehicle body, which allowed the vehicle to be used in both summer and winter.
Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, and Matthias Müller, President and CEO of Porsche AG, unveiled the 'P1' before an audience of invited guests on Friday 30th January. The following weekend, the 'P1' was viewed free of charge as part of the celebrations to mark the 5th anniversary of the Porsche Museum.
Credits: Oneshift News Team
- Convenient and Hassle-Free
- Consumer Protection
Transparent Process
With No Obligation
Get the Best Price for your used car
from 500+ dealers in 24 hours