Radical carbon-fibre van takes shape
First official drawings of super-luxury, American-designed caravan built largely from carbon-fibreThe world’s first carbon-fibre caravan remains on track for production, with new business Global Caravan Technologies recently releasing concept drawings of its proposed CR-1 Carbon RV model.
The artist’s renderings show a bold, futuristic design promising a light-filled interior thanks to enormous, tinted windows at the front and sides.
According to the US-based company the CR-1 Carbon is the world’s first RV to feature extensive CFRP (carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer) technology. GCT says partnerships with various specialists including Indycar manufacturer Dallara, “have allowed much of the design to remain intact, including the concept for a flush and integrated body”.
“We are proud to say that we engaged designers from Asia to the heart of the US auto industry in Detroit. In the mix were luxury RV enthusiasts, who helped point us in the right direction regarding new features and content,” said GCT’s CEO and Chief Product Architect Charles Hoefer in a statement.
The CR-1 Carbon also features “a tall and slippery exterior design... (and) excellent aerodynamics through new technologies that reduce drag”.
“Fuel economy is further aided by reductions in weight through GCT’s RCM (Rapid Composites Manufacturing) technology, giving the CR-Series a construction blueprint more akin to aircraft or supercars than conventional RVs,” he said.
“We approached the development of the CR-Series with an absolute premium on interior space. We have really pushed the envelope in taking a new design to market, which features a modern exterior, yet brilliantly spacious interior.
It also promises an “industry-first floorplan with tall ceilings and loads of new technology for luxury RVers, at an overall length of 35ft 3in”. Pricetags are expected to run from US$160,000 to $500,000, with export markets including China and Australia on the cards.
CGT initially hoped to launch the potentially ground-breaking ‘travel trailer’ in December, but “important technology revisions” pushed the proposed date to the first quarter of 2014.
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