The Air Stream and the Porsche Vision trailer convey the concept

“what if?” Two vehicle placement icons were assembled to answer that simple question. Specifically, this question asks, “Will the next-generation Airstream trailer incorporate Porsche’s design cues?” The answer is the Airstream Studio FA Porsche Concept Travel Trailer, a beautiful design study with styling that’s very effective and more than just its name tag. Airborne, off-grid capable and designed to be easily garaged off-season, the two-person pop-up concept sets a very attractive direction for future Silver Bullets.

We’d love to see an Airstream trailer with a sunken rear roof worthy of a classic 911 or 356, but Studio FA Porsche and Airstream decided to take things a little more subtle. They worked on optimizing the aerodynamics while at the same time giving the concept trailer a new, futuristic look with an unmistakable airflow… with a Porsche touch.

The biggest departure from traditional aerodynamic design comes at the rear, where a long, wide wall takes the place of the usual curved bulge in an effort to improve aerodynamics. The reimagined rear end also features a split tailgate that opens into a combination deck and hatch, lifted from the new Vision S camper van’s Airstream European cousin, the Hymer.

Air conditioning continues in the small front area, washing the underbody and cleaning the roof. Otherwise, hardware affixed to the roof or under the body, such as the air conditioner and holding tanks, are glued into the body and chassis, ensuring that air does not hang on any promotions.

The roof exit also allows for a pop-up design that ensures the trailer sits low during travel but provides plenty of headroom in the camper. In another nod to the Hymer Vision S, the pop-up is covered.

Also lowering the 16.4-foot (5-m) concept to the ground is the first adjustable-height suspension in Airstream history … at least the history of the concept. Not only does the suspension allow the trailer to be tuned for a lower, more agile highway ride and higher off-road towing, but it also lowers the idea to slide well in the family garage, something the average Airstream can’t quite do.

All that aero optimization helps the concept trailer stay ahead of the times with its CFD aerodynamic performance. Airstream claims third-party certification has confirmed it has improved climate characteristics compared to the Airstream 28RB and Basecamp 20X. That, combined with a low theoretical weight supported by a lightweight composite design, ensures that the trailer can be easily towed by electric vehicles and small ICAs and hybrids, including the Porsche Macan.

The floor plan is similar to the Airstream Basecamp, except that the trailer’s two-passenger sleeping berth folds down into an 82 x 61-in (208 x 155-cm) super-queen bed in the rear dinette. The front kitchen area benefits from large panoramic windows, allowing residents to enjoy outdoor cooking despite being inside the airstream sheet metal. An inverted shelf connects the front kitchen to a console next to the dining bench, creating a large L-shaped cooking area before turning to enter the front door.

A wet room fits nicely in the front corner next to the kitchen block. A dual-position door opens up the bathroom floor and can be closed from the toilet to add a little more elbow room and spaciousness, connecting the toilet and shower into a single wet-bath area.

Designed with an eye toward off-grid camping, the Airstream concept features lithium battery power and roof-mounted solar. The cooking area in the kitchen looks like an induction design, which is completely gas-free, featuring the possibility of preparing all electrical appliances.

Executives from Airstream and the Porsche Lifestyle Group will unveil a 1/3-scale model of the Porsche Concept Travel Ad by Airflow Studio FA, the studio behind the Macan issue, this weekend at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. The model will be shown in the Porsche booth, and the theme will be “Porsche X” cooperation. It will join the Lightship L1 prototype as the forward-looking trailer concepts debuted at the event.

Airstream notes that while all of its concepts make it to market, they often influence production trailers. The previously mentioned Basecamp was an example of a collaborative concept that eventually made it to market, revealed in 2005 in partnership with Nissan before launching a decade later. Ford’s Airstream fuel cell crossover hasn’t arrived yet, however.

The 8.5-minute video delves into the transatlantic collaboration process and the design choices behind the concept trailer.

Source: Airstream