Wild Ford camper concept explores new style of work-from-anywhere RV

Alpine is known for its car audio and infotainment equipment sold in 26 countries worldwide. What it doesn’t know is designing outrageous, unconventional concept cars, and it continues to do so.At the CMT camper show in Germany this week, the company unveiled an all-new Cross Cabin concept. bottom. This is a Ford Transit camper van with a skeletal Japanese-inspired interior optimized for both work and play. The custom work-from-anywhere RV features carefully engineered acoustics, productivity equipment that appears when you need it and disappears when you don’t, and an indoor/outdoor layout that invites passengers to fresh air. Support two digital his nomads. still working

Here, we thought the Winnebago eRV2 was going to be the most groundbreaking Ford Transit camper concept we’ll see for a while, or at least this week. Admittedly, we didn’t expect Winnebago to be overtaken by car electronics companies, but Alpine’s unconventional design seems to push the boundaries a bit, despite the van’s conventional ICE powertrain. I can see it.

Concept RVs are nothing out of Alpine’s wheelhouse at first glance. This is an extension of the company’s RV navigation and audio business, exploring how the ongoing trend of remote work will shape the future of his RVing and products designed for that purpose. increase.

Alpine started by talking to both new and experienced remote workers. What the company discovered was that the freedom to work from anywhere required a new style of “work” machine. This is a more productive leisure vehicle, designed to function as both a vacation transport and a vantage point workplace.

Steve Crawford, Alpine’s European brand business director, said: “In other words, a seamless crossover of features for an ideal work-life balance…. cross cabin.”

Creating a space that simultaneously fosters restful relaxation, inquisitive adventure, and a hard-working work ethic is no easy task, so Alpine turned to a Japanese-inspired functional minimalism and aesthetic. Its design keeps both work and life essentials close at hand and easy to store neatly when not in use.

The entire Cross Cabin interior looks more like a sculpture than a converted camper. Instead of precisely hemmed furnishings, Alpine lined the 264-inch (670 cm) Ford Transit cabin with a series of bamboo ribs, a flowing design that bridges the divide between structural furnishings and aesthetic trim. is producing. Ribs hide shelves, lighting and audio equipment more aesthetically, while the precise contours of the back create a sense of unity with the bench.

A bench works with a transformable central table to create a dinette for four. In addition to functioning as a basic dining table or conference table, the tabletop transforms into a folding laptop-like workstation with a 32-inch display and built-in keyboard.

An external 4G/LTE antenna and Alpine x Alphatronics Stream high-speed mobile router ensure a reliable connection. A 12 kWh 920 Ah Mastervolt lithium power system promises up to 3 days of off-grid live/work power with the help of a 1,200 W solar charging system. Also included is a 3,500 W sine wave inverter and a 50 A DC-DC charger wired to the vehicle’s alternator.

Acoustic material used in the interior cladding divides the cabin space into two separate acoustic workspaces. One in the smart table and one in the rotating driver’s seat. Alpine further builds the sound zone with long, flat speakers that are discreetly mounted on acoustic panels.

Around the main Smart Table work area, Alpine reduces distractions by extending interior panels above the rear and side windows to completely block out the outside world. Those looking to get closer to their surroundings can also open the rear door and slide out the workspace via the extendable deck and moveable smart table.

At night, the multi-purpose rear lounge becomes a vertical bed. When the table is lowered, a series of cross braces connect his two benches to create a platform that supports a 55 by 79 inch (140 by 200 cm) cold foam mattress.

An indoor/outdoor design can be set up by placing the kitchen inside the sliding passenger side door, allowing the camper to rotate outwards for outdoor cooking. It features an extendable counter that exposes the sink and folding faucet, a compressor refrigerator and an indoor ventilation hood. Mid-way, the wet bathroom is located behind the driver’s side workstation/dining nook with a stowable waterless toilet and shower.

Of course, the driver’s cockpit also has an Alpine sound system, a 360-degree camera and a rear-view e-mirror. An 11-inch touchscreen combines regular vehicle infotainment with smart motor home control and monitoring.

I hate to say “never,” but Alpine plans to partner with it until launch soon after the equally wild 2019 Hymer Vision Venture concept camper was superseded by the Venture S production with minor changes. I tend to believe it doesn’t. Kind of like a production cross cabin. However, the company plans to incorporate the feedback into the next generation of his RV products. After the CMT show concludes this weekend, we will bring the concept to other events around Germany and abroad throughout 2023.

Source: Alps Alpine Germany