The actual exhibition space consists of a bold steel construction that rests on only three V-shaped concrete pillars and appears to hover in the air. It spans a void of up to 60 metres wide. Inside, the classic vehicles and around 200 small exhibits have been arranged into a meticulously planned exhibition.
The company’s product history guides the visitor through the exhibition. It conveys the “Porsche Idea” through typical attributes such as “Fast”, “Light”, “Clever”, “Powerful”, “Passionate” and “Consistent”. This is the basic principle that has always inspired the company in its quest to find pioneering technical solutions to the fundamental challenges encountered in automotive manufacturing.
The chronological product and motorsport history is augmented by the “Porsche Idea”, which serves as a common theme throughout the exhibition. Mobile multimedia guides are available for visitors in eight different language versions. Both, child-friendly information for younger visitors and more extensive information for adults, can be accessed on these devices. Micro-cinemas also offer the visitor additional information.
Show effects were intentionally left out for the adventure world of the museum. The sports cars should be allowed to speak for themselves. Visitors access the exhibition space through the upper part of the building via a long escalator. Their journey through time, tracing back the history of Porsche through the Porsche Museum, begins with Ferdinand Porsche’s first design: The “Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton model”, which dates back to 1898, stands at the entrance to the exhibition and, as the centrepiece of the permanent exhibition, provides an introduction to the history.
A new journey through time with the Future Heritage Portal at the Porsche Museum
Visitors to the Porsche Museum have always been able to immerse themselves in the world of Porsche – and now there’s a futuristic new interpretation right from the start. The highly technically complex Future Heritage Portal puts the spotlight on the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton – the oldest surviving design on which Ferdinand Porsche worked. It now captures the attention of everyone who sees it, inviting them on a journey through space and time. The installation, located right by the top of the long escalator leading to the upper floors of Porsche World is the captivating new start to the Prologue, which is the introductory part of the permanent exhibition.
After more than a year of research, planning and execution, the 1898 Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, one of the most important vehicles in the company’s collection, has been given its proper accolade as the opening exhibit. The electric car was powered by the ‘Octagon’, an electric motor developed by Porsche that was mounted in front of the rear axle. With front-axle steering, it drove through the streets of Vienna 123 years ago. Today, it stands on a pedestal approximately five metres in diameter, at the front of which is a technically very sophisticated portal. It appears to be travelling from the past into the present.
This illusion is created by an infinity effect, which is produced by a combination of LED technology, specially manufactured mirror discs and content displayed in 3D. The result is an infinite and magical depth that captivates visitors, inviting them to rediscover the display and its cosmic soundtrack again and again from different angles. The holographic storytelling impressively tells the story of Porsche’s DNA. “Many visitors have never associated the horseless carriage with electric mobility,” says curator Iris Haker, explaining the upgrade. “Now we’ve created a real wow effect. Every visitor is drawn into Porsche’s electric beginnings thanks to ‘infinity mirror’ technology that has never been used before.”
The Future Heritage Portal provides visitors to the museum with content through the depth effect of a two-and-a-half-minute film and accompanies them throughout the entire exhibition, as the installation can be seen from almost every corner of the museum. As a result, the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton is now getting the attention it deserves.
A film with ambient sounds
The film, with four chapters that merge into one another, brings the viewer closer to over 120 years of Porsche’s history. Visitors can jump into any chapter at any time. All the action is accompanied by specially composed ambient sounds, including similar ones to those of the all-electric Porsche models. “You really need to view the installation from different angles in order to fully enjoy the infinite magical depth,” recommends Iris Haker. The Future Heritage Portal completes the upgrade of the Prologue, the introductory section to the museum’s permanent exhibition, and adds a unique visitor experience to the Porsche Museum.
