Two icons of vehicular styling have come collectively to reply the straightforward query “What if?” Extra particularly, that query reads,”What if a next-generation Airstream trailer integrated design cues from Porsche?” The reply is the Airstream Studio F. A. Porsche Idea Journey Trailer, a beautiful design research with styling far more efficient and on level than its nondescript identify tag. Designed to be aerodynamic, off-grid-capable and simply garageable within the low season, the two-person pop-up idea lays out a really engaging route for future Silver Bullets.
We might have actually beloved to see an Airstream trailer with a sinking rear roofline worthy of a basic 911 or 356, however Studio F.A. Porsche and Airstream determined to go about issues extra subtly. They’ve labored on optimizing aerodynamics whereas on the similar time giving the idea trailer a recent, futuristic look that is unquestionably Airstream … with a contact of Porsche.
The largest departure from conventional Airstream design comes on the rear, the place a tall, broad wall takes the place of the standard curved bulge in an effort to enhance aerodynamics. The reimagined rear-end additionally homes a cut up tailgate that opens right into a deck and awning mixture clearly impressed by the brand new Imaginative and prescient S camper van from Airstream’s European cousin Hymer.
Airstream
The aero optimization continues with a minimized frontal space, flush underbody and clear rooftop. {Hardware} that might in any other case be protruding of the roof or underbody, such because the air conditioner and holding tanks, are sandwiched contained in the physique and chassis, making certain that air would not get hung up on any protrusions.
The clearing off of the roof additionally permits for a pop-up design that ensures the trailer sits low throughout the journey however gives loads of headroom at camp. In one other nod to the Hymer Imaginative and prescient S, the pop-up is insulated.
Airstream
Additionally bringing the 16.4-foot (5-m) idea Airstream decrease to the bottom is the primary adjustable-height suspension in Airstream’s historical past … not less than its idea historical past. Not solely does the suspension enable the trailer to regulate for decrease, extra environment friendly freeway journey and higher-clearance off-road towing, it lowers the idea sufficient to slip neatly in a family storage, one thing the typical Airstream cannot fairly do.
All that aero optimization helps the idea trailer outperform its contemporaries in CFD aerodynamics efficiency. Airstream says that third get together validation confirmed it to have improved aerodynamic traits as in comparison with the Airstream 28RB and Basecamp 20X. That, coupled with a low theoretical weight underpinned by light-weight composite design, ensures the trailer could possibly be readily towed by electrical autos and small ICEs and hybrids, together with the Porsche Macan with which it poses.
Airstream
The ground plan is just like that of the Airstream Basecamp, sleeping and seating the trailer’s two occupants on a dual-bench rear eating lounge that drops and reconfigures into an 82 x 61-in (208 x 155-cm) super-queen mattress. The entrance kitchen space takes benefit of the big panoramic home windows, permitting campers to take pleasure in cooking within the outdoor even after they’re contained in the Airstream sheet steel. A flip-up countertop connects the entrance kitchen to the console subsequent to the eating bench, creating a bigger L-shaped cooking area earlier than folding away to clear entry to the entry door.
A moist lavatory compartment matches cozily within the entrance nook subsequent to the kitchen block. The twin-position door can shut off the bathroom whereas leaving the bathe ground open so as to add a bit of additional elbow room and spaciousness, swinging open to reunite rest room and bathe right into a single moist tub area.
Designed with a watch towards off-grid tenting, the idea Airstream has lithium battery energy and roof-mounted photo voltaic. The cooktop within the kitchen seems to be an induction design, indicating the opportunity of a totally gas-free, all-electric tools setup.
Airstream
Airstream and Porsche Life-style Group executives will reveal a 1/3-scale mannequin of the Airstream Studio F. A. Porsche Idea Journey Trailer behind the hitch of a Macan at this weekend’s South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. The mannequin will seem at Porsche’s sales space, the place the theme will likely be “Porsche X” collaboration. It should be a part of the Lightship L1 prototype as future-looking trailer ideas debuted on the occasion.
Airstream notes that whereas not all of its ideas make it to market, they do usually affect manufacturing trailers. The aforementioned Basecamp was an instance of a collaborative idea that finally made it to market, first revealed along with Nissan in 2005 earlier than launching simply over a decade later. The Ford Airstream gas cell crossover did not get fairly as far, although.
The 8.5-minute video dives into the cross-Atlantic collaborative course of and the design decisions behind the idea trailer.
Airstream Studio F. A. Porsche Idea Journey Trailer
Supply: Airstream
