Anyone familiar with the "Autovision" museum located at the entrance to Altlußheim will certainly know that this is not "just" one of over 100 classic car museums in Germany. The name above the entrance door already indicates that, in addition to the spectacular collection of historic vehicles, a large permanent exhibition has been presenting "future mobility", which has become a highly controversial topic, since the museum opened in 2002.
From the past to the present
From the world's first electric car from 1881 to the hybrid series vehicle pioneers of the new millennium and current studies on hydrogen mobility, you can find out just about everything worth knowing about the past and the possible future of individual transportation in a concentrated form using rare exhibits.
Of course, the background of the Autovision Foundation also plays a significant role here. Museum founder and foundation board member Horst Schultz explains: "We have been trying to get more young people interested in technical professions with our extracurricular learning park for over 20 years now, using the six exhibition areas and not least the Science Arena. And perhaps during this time we have also managed to awaken the spirit of invention in tech-savvy visitors through our special didactic form of presentation in all six exhibition halls. Because now, at the latest, we in Germany, which once claimed the title "Land of Inventors", have reached a point where we urgently need new, innovative ideas in order to guarantee an industrial location with opportunities for growth."
Extensively informed
In fact, the entire museum concept is based on providing visitors with detailed information on almost all exhibits. Many of the exhibited vehicles or inventions from the history of mobility are therefore not only provided with the usual stand-up signs found in other museums. Numerous large displays, animations and information booths are also packed with automotive know-how.
And as the creators of this curatorial form of presentation are well aware that no visitor, no matter how interested, can remember such a wealth of knowledge on offer here, the Autovision museum store has for some time now had its own series of specialist books, now comprising seven titles, which was also launched by museum founder Horst Schultz. At over 500 pages, the thickest book is undoubtedly "The Great Wankel Book", which incidentally is the world's most comprehensive reference work on the subject. But of course, highly topical subjects such as hydrogen and alternative drives are not neglected either. Two titles are particularly recommended for classic car enthusiasts: the museum book "AutovisionEN, yesterday, today and tomorrow", which accompanies the exhibition, and "The Jean Bugatti Story".
Second largest Bugatti exhibition in Europe
The Bugatti exhibition as part of the Museum Autovision is now the second largest in Europe. And of course, in addition to the 17 automobiles, including the legendary T 57 Atlantic, there is also plenty of technology on display.
The latest additions here are an original Bugatti Veyron 16-cylinder engine and an EB 110 engine with 12 cylinders from the brief Italian Bugatti era.
It is commendable that no additional entrance fee is charged for the Bugatti exhibition, which is now regarded as a museum in its own right, and not just by experts. Visitors to Autovision can therefore enjoy two museums with one ticket!
Further information can be found on the museum website.
