Lohner–Porsche
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1898 |
| Founder | Ferdinand Porsche |
| Headquarters | Vienna , Austria |
| Products | Electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles |
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Lohner–Porsche refers to a series of electric vehicles conceptualized by Ferdinand Porsche and produced at the Lohner-Werke factory during the early 20th century. This range includes both the pioneering hybrid electric vehicle and the first commercially available automobile equipped with hub motor technology. The hybrid "Mixed" or "Mixte" racing models feature a gasoline engine that powers four electric motors, each integrated into a wheel hub. In contrast, the battery-driven "Touring" or "Chaise" models for commercial use employ two electric motors situated in the front wheel hubs.[1][2]
Ferdinand Porsche's education and early career
Ferdinand Porsche was born to a father who worked professionally as a Panel beater. From an early age, he demonstrated a keen fascination with technological innovations, particularly in the field of electricity. While still assisting his father during daylight hours, he attended evening classes at the Imperial Polytechnical College in Reichenberg, located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from his residence.[3]</ref>
At eighteen, in 1893, Porsche secured employment through a recommendation at the electrical firm Béla Egger & Co. in Vienna (which later became part of Brown Boveri, now known as ABB), prompting his relocation there.[4]</ref> Concurrently, he enrolled as a part-time student at what is today the Vienna University of Technology, attending classes whenever possible after work hours.[3]</ref> Although he did not complete a formal engineering degree, during his five-year tenure at Béla Egger, Porsche developed their inaugural electric Hub motor, inspired by American inventor Wellington Adams’ earlier design. He also participated in racing events using this motorized wheel in 1897.[3]</ref>
Development
At 23 years old, Porsche secured a position at the Jacob Lohner factory. Although his formal engineering education was minimal and most of his expertise was gained through practical experience, Jacob Lohner entrusted him with the task of developing an electric powertrain for his carriages.[3] Porsche's initial prototypes featured two-wheel drive and were battery-powered electric vehicles equipped with two electric motors mounted directly on the front wheel hubs.[5][6] This design achieved a drivetrain with minimal friction due to the direct wheel drive by hub-mounted motors. Each internal-pole electric motor delivered between 2.5 to 3.5 hp (1.9 to 2.6 kW), with short bursts reaching up to 7 hp (5.2 kW).[7]
The 1898 "System Lohner–Porsche" rapidly attracted widespread attention across Europe. Lohner's first order came from E.W. Hart, a coachbuilder based in Luton, UK, who requested extensive alterations; his vehicle needed to operate on both petrol and electricity, accommodate four passengers, and feature four-wheel drive. This custom-built coach, named La Toujours Contente ('always satisfied' in French), was a playful reference to Camille Jenatzy's record-setting electric car La Jamais Contente, and was showcased at the Paris Exhibition in December 1900. The massive Lohner carried 1.8 tonnes of batteries composed of a 44-cell 80-volt lead-acid pack housed within a spring-mounted container to safeguard the fragile cells. Its four electric motors collectively weighed 1,280 pounds, contributing to an overall weight exceeding four tonnes on Continental pneumatic tires. With a battery capacity around 270 amp-hours and four forward gears, the 56-horsepower coach participated in various exhibitions and competitions. Its price was set at 15,000 Austrian crowns.
Despite its complexity, the vehicle was completed punctually and personally delivered by Porsche. Hart was so impressed that he later acquired another two-wheel drive model at a comparatively lower cost of 7,950 Austrian crowns.
Between November 6 and 9, 1900, the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland organized an endurance trial for electric vehicles, featuring eleven participants including three entries brought by Hart to the Chislehurst start line. Among them was the four-wheel drive Lohner–Porsche. The event was won by a Louis-Krieger model named 'Powerful', which benefited from its lighter weight and larger wheels to cover 59 miles at an average speed near 10 miles per hour on its initial run. Meanwhile, Le Toujours Contente encountered tire failures after only 34 miles with Porsche driving. One observer commented on the harsh conditions: "there were inches of mud on the floors; rain came through the roof; the sheds were doorless and the cars and attendants were nightly exposed to the full force of wind and rain." Other electric vehicles managed merely seven miles over the muddy and rutted course. Porsche contracted a severe cold during this event, which contributed to his vehicle's withdrawal from further competition.
Due to its high cost preventing mass-market adoption, Lohner applied this innovative drivetrain technology to larger commercial vehicles instead. The company produced rear-driven double-decker buses for Berlin and front-driven fire engines for Vienna, Frankfurt, and London. Lohner also received commissions to build vehicles for royalty including the Austrian emperor as well as kings from Norway, Romania, and Sweden. According to Andreas Stieniczka's biography, Lohner-Werke crafted the funeral coach used for Archduke Franz Ferdinand—the assassination of whom in Sarajevo triggered World War I. By 1906, over 300 Lohner–Porsche vehicles had been sold.
Alongside bespoke coachbuilding efforts, Lohner supported Porsche's ongoing participation in racing events. Several Austrian land speed records were established under his control, with top speeds eventually reaching 37 mph (60 km/h). The vehicle secured victories in various motorsport contests such as the Exelberg Rally in 1901. Combining advanced drivetrain innovation in custom coaches with competitive racing experience led Porsche to receive Austria's prestigious Potting Prize as its leading automotive engineer in 1905. The following year he joined Austro-Daimler as chief designer. At that time Jacob Lohner remarked: "He is very young, but is a man with a big career before him. You will hear of him again."
The design principles of the Lohner–Porsche influenced aerospace engineering; both Boeing and NASA examined its concepts when developing the Apollo program's Lunar Roving Vehicle. Many elements of its design philosophy are reflected in that lunar rover’s engineering. Furthermore, this series hybrid approach continues to serve as a foundational technology for numerous contemporary railway locomotives.
References
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNGHung - ↑ "History of Hybrid Vehicles". HybridCars.com. 2006-03-27. Archived from the original on 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2011-10-25. See year 1898.
- ↑ "Lohner–Porsche Mixte Voiturette". Ultimate Car Page. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- ↑ Noel McKeegan (2007-11-07). "Back to the future: electric-drive Lohner–Porsche at the L.A. Auto Show". Gizmag. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
Further reading
- Porsche-Museum, Stuttgart: Ferdinand Porsche - Pioneer of the Hybrid Automobile, bilingual edition (German/English), Edition Porsche Museum, Stuttgart 2010, ISBN 978-3-9812816-4-4.
External links
