Airstream And Porsche Brainstorm On A Visionary Journey Trailer Idea

Two icons of car styling have come collectively to reply the easy query “What if?” to reply. More particularly, that query is, “What if a next-generation Airstream trailer includes design cues from Porsche?” The reply is the Airstream Studio FA Porsche Concept Travel Trailer, a fantastic design examine with styling far simpler and related than the nondescript nameplate. Designed to be aerodynamic, off-grid succesful and simply garageable within the low season, the two-person pop-up idea outlines a extremely enticing route for future Silver Bullets.

We would have beloved to see an Airstream trailer with a sinking rear roofline worthy of a traditional 911 or 356, however Studio FA Porsche and Airstream determined to take a extra delicate strategy. They’ve labored on optimizing the aerodynamics whereas giving the idea trailer a contemporary, futuristic look that’s unquestionably Airstream… with a contact of Porsche.

The largest departure from the standard Airstream design comes on the rear, the place a tall, huge wall takes the place of the same old curved bulge in an effort to enhance aerodynamics. The redesigned rear additionally homes a break up tailgate that opens right into a deck/cover mixture, clearly impressed by the brand new Vision S motorhome from Airstream’s European cousin Hymer.

The aerodynamic optimization continues with a minimized frontal space, a flat underbody and a clear roof. Hardware that might in any other case protrude from the roof or underside of the physique, such because the air conditioner and restoration tanks, is wedged into the physique and chassis to forestall air from catching on protrusions.

Clearing the roof additionally permits for a pop-up design that ensures the trailer sits low in the course of the journey, however gives loads of headroom when tenting. Another nod to the Hymer Vision S: the pop-up is insulated.

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Also bringing the 16.4 foot (5 m) idea Airstream decrease to the bottom is the primary height-adjustable suspension in Airstream historical past… not less than the idea historical past. Not solely does the suspension permit the trailer to regulate for decrease, extra environment friendly freeway driving and off-road towing with extra floor clearance, it lowers the idea sufficient to slip neatly right into a family storage, one thing the typical Airstream cannot fairly.

All that aero optimization helps the idea trailer outperform its contemporaries CFD aerodynamics efficiency. Airstream says third-party validation has confirmed it has improved aerodynamics in comparison with the Airstream 28RB and Basecamp 20X. That, mixed with a low theoretical weight supported by a light-weight composite design, permits the trailer to be simply towed by electrical autos and small ICEs and hybrids, together with the Porsche Macan it poses with.

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The flooring plan is much like that of the Airstream Basecamp, the place the 2 occupants of the trailer sleep and are seated on a eating lounge with two rear sofas that may be lowered and reconfigured into an 82 x 61 in (208 cm) tremendous queen mattress. x 155cm). The entrance kitchen advantages from the massive panoramic home windows, permitting campers to get pleasure from alfresco cooking even whereas contained in the Airstream sheet steel. A folding worktop connects the entrance kitchen to the console subsequent to the eating bench, creating a bigger L-shaped cooking space earlier than folding away to clear entry to the doorway door.

A moist rest room room suits comfortably within the entrance nook subsequent to the kitchen unit. The two-position door can shut off the bathroom whereas leaving the bathe flooring open so as to add a bit of further room to maneuver and spaciousness, swinging open to unite rest room and bathe right into a single wet-bath space.

Designed with off-grid tenting in thoughts, the Airstream idea has a lithium battery and roof-mounted solar energy. The cooktop within the kitchen seems to be an induction design, hinting at the potential for a totally gasless, all-electric tools setup.

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Executives from Airstream and Porsche Lifestyle Group will unveil a 1/3 scale mannequin of the Airstream Studio FA Porsche Concept Travel Trailer behind the hitch of a Macan this weekend at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. The mannequin might be on show on the Porsche stand, the place the theme might be “Porsche X” collaboration. It will be part of the Lightship L1 prototype as forward-looking trailer ideas debuted on the occasion.

Airstream notes that whereas not all of its ideas make it to market, they usually affect manufacturing trailers. The aforementioned Basecamp was an instance of a collaborative idea that ultimately made it to market, first unveiled in partnership with Nissan in 2005, earlier than launching simply over a decade later. However, the Ford Airstream gas cell crossover did not get that far.

The 8.5 minute video delves into the transatlantic collaboration course of and the design decisions behind the idea trailer.

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