Porsche Semper Vivus to debut in Geneva - world's first full petrol electric hybrid [video]

Historic hybrid first debuted by Ferdinand Porsche back in 1900 will take a bow in Geneva alongside a slate of Porsche introductions

Porsche will be bringing the world's first petrol-electric hybrid car to the Geneva auto show next week.

No, that's not a typo or a misplaced story from the 1990s. We're talking about the Semper Vivus (always alive), the model Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche first introduced to the world in 1900. Yes, electric and hybrid cars have a long history.

After 111 years, Porsche Museum has reconstructed the car and will be putting it on display at the Porsche stand in Geneva starting March 1st.

It took four years to recreate the historic car and Porsche will use the occasion of the Semper Vivus' revival to launch a more modern hybrid model - likely the recently announced Panamera S Hybrid.

But Porsche is being as cryptic as possible in the press release here so it could be that an altogether new hybrid vehicle will be debuting next week alongside the European premieres of the 918 RSR hybrid race car concept, the 330 PS (243 kW / 325 bhp) Cayman R, the limited series 911 Black Edition based on the 345 PS (254 kW / 340 bhp) 911 Carrera, and the Boxster S Black Edition.

The 911 Black Edition will be limited to just 1,911 units while the Boxer S Black Edition will get only 987 units made.

So, let's hope that Porsche does indeed mean that a new hybrid model will be making a splashing debut next Tuesday.

Source: Porsche

SENSATIONAL PORSCHE WORLD PREMIERE IN GENEVA

  • Porsche presents first functional, full hybrid car in the world, the Semper Vivus, 111 years after its World Premiere in 1900. http://origin.porsche.com/uk
  • Recreation of ground-breaking car will make its debut on March 1 at Geneva Motor Show
  • European debut of 918 RSR concept underlines ‘Porsche Intelligent Performance' philosophy

The name Porsche has been associated with pioneering innovations in automotive engineering since the beginning of the last century. In 1900, Ferdinand Porsche, founding father of the present-day Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, entered unchartered territory. With the first functional, full hybrid car in the world, the Semper Vivus ('always alive') http://origin.porsche.com/uk, the principle of the serial hybrid drive had been born.

In a stunning four year project the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart has had the Semper Vivus recreated. Next week, 111 years after this ground breaking innovation by Ferdinand Porsche, the Semper Vivus will again drive into the limelight at the Geneva Motor Show 2011 followed by future appearances as part of the Porsche Museum collection in Stuttgart.

Appropriately, Porsche is putting the spotlight of its presence at the 81st Geneva Motor Show on the world premiere of a contemporary parallel full hybrid model. In the wake of the success of the Cayenne S Hybrid it signals a new chapter in the Stuttgart company's ‘Porsche Intelligent Performance' philosophy. Along with the Semper Vivus, the new hybrid model is being unveiled on March 1, 2011 at the press conference to be held on the Porsche stand in Hall 1, stand number 1050, starting at 07:30.

These world premieres in Geneva are being complemented by the 918 RSR hybrid racing car concept, making its first public appearance in front of a European audience. The mid-engine coupé combines the design of the 918 Spyder with the technology of the 911 GT3 R hybrid racing car.

Porsche is also showcasing the 330 hp (243 kW) Cayman R in Europe for the first time, alongside the the 911 Black Edition, limited to 1,911 units, based on the 345 hp (254 kW) 911 Carrera, and the Boxster S Black Edition, limited to 987 units worldwide.

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 Banglefan350 Banglefan350
i don't know... steering looks pretty heavy
February 24, 2011 10:18 am
 ffrgtm ffrgtm
so does brian potters mom but i'd still ride that too
February 24, 2011 7:03 pm
 THERENAISSANCEMAN THERENAISSANCEMAN
looking very much like a hybrid farm tractor rather than a proper car . and as for the retro film effect , the images should be moving in jerky motion to really simulate vintage era . now back to the drawing board , Porsche .
February 25, 2011 12:29 am