What's the news?
Porsche has revealed a true world first. The Porsche "Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton model", or P1, from 1898 has been discovered. Originally designed by Ferdinand Porsche when he was only 22 years old, it's now being given pride of place in its unrestored condition at the Porsche Museum. The Porsche P1 (someone in Woking has just fainted) was presented in Vienna as the very first Porsche design on June 26th, 1898 and was powered by a rear-mounted electric motor.
Exterior
The P1 - or Porsche number 1 - was far more than just a world first. Its remarkable design elements showcased far reaching ideas that are, if we're being honest, only being adopted properly today - 116 years later. It was versatile, too. The P1 used what Porsche describes as a 'Lohner alternating vehicle body', so the new design could be used during winter and summer. Branding was also early in Mr Porsche's mind as most of the vehicle's key components were stamped as 'P1'.
Mechanicals
Where do we start? Take the electric motor, as an example. The P1's electric drive was so compact that it weighed only 130kg. Sure, it may have only offered a paltry 3hp, with up to 5hp for short spurts, yet it could manage up to 35km/h. But what really fascinates us most, in an age of EVs and hybrids, was the P1's range: 80 kilometres, through a 12-speed control unit. Eat your heart out, Tesla.
To fully test the P1, Ferdinand Porsche, along with three passengers on board, entered a 40km race in Berlin in September, 1899. Even taking on a route that included a mixture of gradients, the P1 crossed the finish line 18 minutes ahead of the competition. It's said that over half of the race's participants failed to even make the finish line. Extraordinary stuff.
Anything else?
If you're a Porsche fanatic, you'll be pleased to hear the P1 will be unveiled this coming Friday, January 31st at the Porsche Museum by Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Porsche's supervisory board. And from 1st February, the P1 will be available to be viewed free of charge to mark Porsche's fifth year celebration of the Porsche's Museum's grand opening. Surely, it's a must-see. If you're going along, the Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday - 9:00 to 18:00. To find out more go to www.porsche.com/museum.
Mark Gallivan - 28 Jan 2014
