First Porsche found

Since the construction of the first sports car to bear the Porsche name (1948's '356'), Porsche has been regarded as one of the world's leading sports car manufacturers. But 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 un-restored vehicle has been rediscovered and is set to enrich the collection at the Porsche Museum as a technical and historical worldwide sensation. 

The 'P1' now forms a centrepiece, which introduces visitors to the first part of the exhibition.

Designed and built by Ferdinand Porsche, the 'P1' was one of the first vehicles registered in Austria, and took to the streets of Vienna on June 26, 1898.

Porsche engraved the code 'P1' (standing for 'Porsche, number 1') on to all of the key components, thus giving the electric vehicle its unofficial name.

The sheer volume of ideas realised within this vehicle remains remarkable even today.

The highly compact electric drive, weighing just 130 kg, offered an output of 3hp. Yes, just 3hp.

For short periods, up to 5hp could be achieved in overloading mode, allowing the P1 to reach speeds of up to 35 km/h.

The overall range of the vehicle could span up to 80km, 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.