Two iconic brands synonymous with design and function, Airstream and Porsche, teamed up to build a camping trailer concept that’s sure to quench your wanderlust with a modern, aerodynamic design and lighter weight that’s optimized for EV towing. And perhaps the best part – you can store it right in your garage.
Airstream, Porsche reveal camping trailer concept for EVs
In a relationship one could only dream of establishing, the famed aluminum “silver bullet” travel trailer is getting a modern-day makeover from the one and only Studio FA Porsche design firm.
An avid camper, Wally Bryam founded Airstream to improve the experience, including a comfortable place to sleep, a stove to cook, a sink, an ice box, storage, and plenty of walking space.
Byram is known within the company for his motto, “Let’s not make changes, let’s only make improvements,” which has carried on to this day as Airstream is now the longest-tenured recreational vehicle manufacturer across the globe.
As the world looks to a cleaner, more sustainable future, Airstream is improving once again. And who better to take on the task than Porsche’s own legendary design firm, Studio FA Porsche?
With decades of combined design experience, the teams created an urban-influenced 16.4-foot camping trailer that’s modified to improve the electric vehicle towing.
The camping trailer concept improves the already impressive aerodynamics of the Airstream with a new rear shape to improve airflow and flush underside with “reduced drag-creating projections.”
In addition, the concept includes a few firsts from the famed adventure brand, including a lowering suspension and insulated pop-up roof, making it easy to store in a standard residential garage (for the first time in Airstream’s 90-year history).
The inside maximizes space with rear seating that transforms from a dining space to an office to a living room. When it comes time to sleep, the seating area converts to an 82″ X 61″ sleeping area.
The kitchenette comes complete with a sink, two burner cooktop stove, and storage that hides in the spacious interior.
Airstream says its Porsche-designed camping trailer is perfect for camping on a campground or off-grid, with integrated rooftop solar panels and lithium battery storage to save energy for later use.
Electrek’s Take
There’s been skyrocketing demand for RVs that started during the pandemic as people sought safe, outdoor spaces. And now, as consumers continue transitioning to electric vehicles, RV manufacturers are looking to fill the growing need for camping trailers designed for EVs.
Airstream’s competitors, like Winnebago and several others, are also working on environmentally friendly options for adventure seekers.
Keep in mind this is still a concept, so it could be some time before we see it hit the market. Meanwhile, all-electric RV startup Lightyear officially debuted its L1 electric travel trailer designed to maintain the full range of the EV towing it yesterday. You can read more about Lightyear here.
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JiYue, a Chinese EV brand focused on delivering all-electric “robocars” to the masses, has unveiled its latest model, and it’s quite a deviation from its previous EVs—but in the best way. Earlier today, JiYue launched the ROBO X supercar, designed for high-speed racing. By high speed, we mean 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 1.9 seconds. My mouth is watering.
JiYue has only existed since 2021, when parent tech company Baidu announced it was expanding from software development into physical EV production, joining forces with multinational automotive manufacturer Geely.
The new “robotic EV” marque initially launched as JIDU with $300 million in startup capital before garnering an additional $400 million in Series A funding, led by Baidu, in January 2022.
In August 2023, Geely took on a larger role in JIDU alongside a greater financial stake as the brand reimagined itself as JiYue, inheriting the JIDU logo and its flagship model, the 01 ROBOCAR.
The 07 finally launched in China earlier this year with 545 miles of range. With an all-electric SUV and sedan on the market, JiYue has unveiled an exciting new entry in the form of a performance supercar called the ROBO X. Check it out:
JiYue’s new ROBO X EV is available for pre-order now
JiYue showcased its new ROBO X hypercar in front of the crowd at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show earlier today. Similar to previous models but with a unique spin, JiYue described the ROBO X as an AI smart-driving supercar that, for the first time, blends artificial intelligence and autonomous driving into a high-performance, race-ready EV.
When we say “high performance,” we mean a quad motor liquid-cooled drive system that can propel the ROBO X from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in under 1.9 seconds. JiYue called the new ROBO X a “performance beast” with “the perfect balance of excellent aerodynamic performance and high downforce.” JiYue CEO Joe Xia was even bolder in his statements about the ROBO X:
For the next 20 years, the design of supercars will bear the shadow of Robo X. This is the best design in the history of Chinese automobiles today, and it is a landmark presence.
Fighter-style airflow ducts bolster the EV’s aerodynamics, efficiency, and overall posture. Per JiYue, the two-seater ROBO X is expected to deliver a maximum range of over 650 km (404 miles).
The new supercar features falcon-wing doors, a carbon fiber integrated frame, and a professional racing HALO safety system offering 360° of support. The interior features an AI smart cockpit with SIMO real-time feedback to give drivers an immersive racing experience.
Furthermore, JiYue said the vehicle will utilize parent company Baidu’s Apollo self-driving technology, which could make it the first electric supercar to apply pure-vision ADAS technology that enables track-level autonomous driving.
Following today’s unveiling of the ROBO X, JiYue has officially opened up pre-orders in China for RMB 49,999 ($6,915). That said, reservation holders will need to be patient as JiYue shared that it doesn’t expect to begin mass production of the ROBO X until 2027.
What do you think? Will people be talking about the ROBO X for the next 20 years?
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes the launch of the Lectric XPedition 2.0, Yamaha e-bikes pulling out of North America, LiveWire unveils an electric scooter concept, PNY readying its cargo e-scooters for pilot testing, Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:30 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:30 a.m. ET):
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Crude oil futures were on pace Friday for loss for the week, as a supply gut and a strong dollar depresses the market.
U.S. crude oil is down more than 2% this week, while Brent has shed nearly 2%.
Here are Friday’s energy prices:
West Texas Intermediate December contract: $68.56 per barrel, down 14 cents, or 0.2%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has shed about 4%.
Brent January contract: $72.36 per barrel, down 20 cents, or 0.28%. Year to date, the global benchmark has lost nearly 6%.
RBOB Gasoline December contract: $1.99 per gallon, up 0.46%. Year to date, gasoline has fallen more than 1%.
Natural Gas December contract: $2.70 per thousand cubic feet, down 2.98%. Year to date, gas has gained more than 4%.
The International Energy Agency has forecast a surplus of more than 1 million barrels per day in 2025 on robust production in the U.S. OPEC revised down its demand forecast for the fourth consecutive month as demand in China remains soft.
A strong dollar also hangs over the market, as the greenback has surged in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory.