The world's first hybrid automobile goes on show again

The Semper Vivus comes on stage in Geneva

We're a little non-plussed on Porsche's announcement of a reconstructed Semper Vivus, which it is claiming was presented at the Paris Show of 1900. There's a video of the construction of the vehicle, but it is at odds with previous Porsche historic information on the Lohner Porsche and the normally fastidious Porsche press department hasn't issued any details of the Semper Vivus.

The Semper Vivus was a series electric hybrid with its two engines charging the batteries and Porsche electric hub motors delivering the power. More details as they come to hand, though an excellent photo gallery in the meantime.

Before we get to the full write-up, there's also an announcement by Porsche that the "Semper Vivus was the first dual-power vehicle in the history of mankind – for starters we're aware of the sail-and-steam-powered armored warship HMS Warrior, circa 1860. Surely there are others?

There was a period of about 100 years when stem was installed but only to assist sails

Leon217 - March 6, 2011 @ 05:25 pm PST

It really depends how you define dual-power, though imo it's a pointless debate no matter how you define it, just as with trying to define the first motorcycle. The Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede was a human power/steam engine hybrid, developed about 1867. Augustin Mouchot used solar energy to boil water, enough to power a small steam engine circa 1860 as well (though this was never used in a vehicle). How about a cart drawn by both a horse and an ox? Or even a cart heading downhill, isn't that animal/gravity powered?

The world's first hybrid automobile goes on show again - 111 years later