It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call Airstream the Porsche of the camper world. Between classic good looks, admirable commitment to a supposedly outmoded concept, and insane resale value, Airstreams and Porsches alike have become high-end style icons. It seems only fitting that Airstream has collaborated with Studio F. A. Porsche on a tantalizing camper concept for towing behind smaller vehicles. Let’s take a look.
First, a little context. There are actually four companies named Porsche and run by the Porsche–Piëch family. There’s Porsche AG, which makes the sports cars; Porsche Engineering; the Porsche SE holding company, which is the majority shareholder of the Volkswagen Group; and Studio F. A. Porsche, the parent company of Porsche Design.
All roads eventually lead back to Porsche SE which holds a controlling stake in Porsche AG and owns both Porsche Engineering and Studio F. A. Porsche, but in simple terms, this is a Studio F. A. Porsche collaboration project, not a Porsche AG collaboration project. But we’re not here to talk convoluted German business structure, we’re here to talk cars and RVs, so let’s dive right in.
Right off the bat, you can tell that this trailer looks very different from popular Airstream models. Instead of a giant shiny squircle silhouette, Studio F. A. Porsche has lopped off the back to create a sort of kammtail. It’s said to be more effective at shedding air than traditional Airstream designs and combined with a flat underbody and adjustable ride height, it should help this concept really cut through the air for a flying brick.
What’s more, the Airstream Studio F. A. Porsche travel trailer is designed to be small, clocking in at 16.4 feet long with a single axle layout. Renderings show it being towed by a Porsche Macan, which likely means that this camper weighs in at less than the Macan’s European tow rating of 5,200 pounds with gear. For context, the single-axle, 17 foot eight-inch Escape 17A has a dry weight of 2,290 pounds and the single-axle 17-foot Cortes 17 has a dry weight of 2,680 pounds, so expect this Airstream to be the perfect companion to a smaller CUV.
That aforementioned kammtail does more than just look great and provide an aerodynamic benefit. It’s actually split-folding to expand floor space and provide an open ambiance when parked up. Flip the top half up and the bottom half down and you’d get a deck to stand on as you stare at the sunrise and sip your morning coffee. If you’d prefer not to stand, hidden tailgate seating like what’s optional on a Rolls-Royce Cullinan has you covered. It’s also a great place to attach an awning, which the concept is said to provide.
Space in small campers can be tight on the inside, but Airstream and F. A. Porsche have found a way to increase living space with a transformable lavatory. There’s a door that sits fairly close to the toilet when closed yet hinges out to take up part of the L-shaped living area when it’s time for number one and/or two. Clever. Also clever is how the water tanks, spare wheel, heating system, and a lithium battery is held in a sub-floor compartment just ten inches deep. Air-con is packaged above the floor, taking it off the roof. It’s all very sound packaging for such a small trailer.
Great packaging means tons of floor and storage space including pleasant cabinetry, the typical space under the bench seats, and clever overhead perimeter storage with netting should accommodate everything you can’t stuff into the cupboards. There was even enough space to fit a folding countertop for a larger cooking area to take full advantage of a two-burner cooktop.
Once you’re done cooking dinner on the cooktop and eating it on the bench seats, you can fold those seats down for a sleeping area measuring 82 inches by 61 inches, or just slightly larger than a Queen bed. Considering how most similarly-sized campers feature double beds, the big bed sounds much appreciated.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy the Airstream Studio F. A. Porsche collaboration. It’s just a concept, currently existing as a third-scale model for SXSW. That’s a bit of a shame as a full-scale version like the Airstream eStream would be mega, especially as Porsche AG SUV owners are the sort of clientele you’d expect to be able to afford a nice camper.
Still, if you wish to see a scale model or partake in an augmented reality experience of the trailer, Airstream will be touring America this year showing it off.
(Photo credits: Airstream)
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I personally don’t understand these rear walls and the like that open completely, unless it’s to load large gear (bikes, kayaks, etc).
When I camp (and I do pretty frequently), I want to keep the bugs OUTside my camper and this is a recipe for disaster in that regard. Looks pretty on the ‘gram but not very useful in my book. I’d much rather have a big, screened, window.
I can’t explain why, but I enjoy the concept of RV porches. It makes no sense because in an RV you’re perpetually a step out the door from the outdoors, but I guess that’s why vehicle purchases aren’t entirely rational.
Still trying to puzzle out how “Air-con is packaged above the floor, taking it off the roof.” works though.Was that supposed to be “below” the floor, and if so how efficient can that be? I guess it doesn’t matter in something that will only ever exist a concept though.
Airstream did previously use a Cayenne to test Airstream handling through a bunch of maneuvers that I hope to never have to put a trailer through. It was pretty impressive. We have a 2007 23′ and it does tow/handle way nicer than you would expect. Here’s the video of the testing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cMg42sW6NU
It is easy to pooh-pooh what would be a $200,000 small camper but it is a phenomenal design. Maybe someone will steal the idea and make one for $75,000 – still expensive but attainable.
I’ve read enough Torch articles to know that tail lights can’t be on moveable panels for cars, but is there an exception for trailers?
Of course they *can* be, but in order to be legal on the road the tails must still be visible when driving, and oft times hatches, tailgates, and decklids need to be left open in order to transport stuff – and as this gate would never be open when in motion, it’s not even a consideration.
I’ll be honest, I would be scared to take that anywhere. That brushed metal finish and smooth lines (plus the outrageous cost I would assume) would definitely scare me from taking it somewhere to actually camp in. But my cynical mind imagines many of them would end up as status symbols sitting in/beside garages as a trophy.
You aren’t wrong. Panel replacement on an Airsteam is typically $2500-$5000 each and those are much smaller than these panel. Since it’s aluminum, you can’t really get dents out (although I have seen some very good attempts). Shockingly, insurance it’s that expensive as long as you aren’t full-timing in it.
Mine had a few minor battle scars already when I bought it, since it was 15 years old. That makes it much easier, but I’m sure that first ding on a new one really hurts.
“I really wanna camp, but I want to spend more than everyone else at the KOA while doing it”