Airstream and Porsche brainstorm visionary travel trailer concept

Two icons of vehicle styling came together to answer a simple “what if” question. More specifically, the question is, “What if the next generation of Airstream trailers incorporated Porsche’s design his cues?” The answer is the Airstream Studio FA Porsche Concept his travel trailer. Aerodynamic, off-grid ready and designed for easy garage parking in the off-season, his two-person pop-up concept points to a very attractive direction for his Silver Bullets in the future.

We’d have liked to see an Airstream trailer with a sunken rear roofline to rival the classic 911s and 356s, but Studio FA Porsche and Airstream decided to take things more nuanced. They’ve worked on optimizing aerodynamics while also giving the concept trailer a fresh, futuristic look that’s unmistakably Airstream…with a touch of Porsche.

The biggest difference from the traditional Airstream design is in the rear, where a tall, wide wall takes the place of the usual curved bulge to improve aerodynamics. It also houses a split tailgate that opens onto a deck and awning combination clearly inspired by its European cousin Hymer’s new Vision S camper van.

Aero optimization continues with a minimized frontal area, a flushed underbody and a clean roof. By sandwiching hardware such as air conditioners and tanks that protrude from the roof and undercarriage between the body and chassis, we have achieved a structure that prevents air from getting stuck in the protrusions.

Leaving the roof open allows for a pop-up design that allows the trailer to sit low while riding, yet provides plenty of headroom for camping. In another nod to the Hymer Vision S, the popup is insulated.

Also bringing the 16.4 ft (5 m) Concept Airstream closer to the ground is the first height-adjustable suspension in Airstream history… at least the history of that concept. Not only does the suspension allow the trailer to adjust for lower, more efficient highway travel and higher-clearance off-road towing, but the average Airstream can’t do it, it’s a home Lower the concept so it can slide neatly in your garage.

All of the aero optimizations help the concept trailer outperform its contemporaries in CFD aerodynamic performance. Airstream says third-party validation confirms improved aerodynamics compared to the Airstream 28RB and Basecamp 20X. This, coupled with a low theoretical weight supported by a lightweight composite design, ensures that the trailer can be easily towed by electric vehicles, the smaller His ICE and hybrid vehicles (including the Porsche Macan).

The floor plan is similar to that of the Airstream Basecamp, with the trailer’s two occupants sleeping and sitting in the rear dining lounge on dual benches. The front he kitchen area utilizes large panoramic windows, allowing campers to enjoy cooking al fresco even while inside the Airstream sheet metal. A flip-up countertop connects the front his kitchen to the console next to the dining bench, creating a larger L-shaped cooking space before folding to clear access to the front door.

The wet bathroom compartment sits comfortably in the front corner next to the kitchen block. Dual-position doors leave the shower floor open and close the toilet to add a little extra space and spaciousness, then swing open to re-combine the toilet and shower into a single wet bath space can do.

Designed with an eye on off-grid camping, the concept Airstream features lithium batteries and roof-mounted solar. The kitchen worktop appears to be an induction design, completely gas-free and showing the potential for an all-electric setup.

Airstream and Porsche Lifestyle Group executives will unveil a 1/3 scale model of the Airstream Studio FA Porsche Concept Travel Trailer behind the hitch of the Macan at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas this weekend. increase. This model will appear at the Porsche booth with the theme of the “Porsche X” collaboration. Join the Lightship L1 prototype as the future-looking trailer concept debuted at the event.

Airstream says that not all of its concepts make it to market, but that they often influence production trailers. His Basecamp, mentioned earlier, is an example of his concept, a collaboration that was first unveiled in 2005 jointly with Nissan and launched just over a decade later, until it finally hit the market. However, Ford’s Airstream fuel cell crossover didn’t get very far.

This 8.5 minute video details the trans-Atlantic collaboration process and the design choices behind the concept trailer.

Source: Airstream