Nature has always been for Adri a source of inspiration. The brand's home — Slovenia — is among the countries with the highest biodiversity in Europe. A team of product designers and engineers combines aesthetic design with aeronautical principles. Do you want to know how? 🦅
The combination of three worlds
Adria and her design partner Sito took on bold ideas and teamed up with the greatest expert on wind — the Slovenian aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel. This company was the very first in the world to certify an electric aircraft.
Inspired by nature, Adria combined the most advanced scientific solutions and created caravans that split the air according to aeronautical laws.
Wind synergy between car and caravan
Designer Matic Vihtelič explains that the relationship between efficiency of living and mobility is key for a caravan.
A caravan is used more of the time for living than as a means of transport. The basic concept was to increase interior space — to give up the wedge-shaped shape of the front wall and create a caravan with a flat front wall. We wanted a spacious interior with panoramic windows front and rear that visually open the space.
— Matic Vihtelič, designerWith this construction, it was necessary to consider requirements for safe towing and low fuel consumption.
When designing the flat wall, we based it on the fact that Caravans of this size are towed by large cars — often SUVs, which displace a large amount of air. The angle of the front wall is therefore irrelevant. Instead of addressing the aerodynamics of the caravan separately, it was necessary analyze the entire column — car + trailer.
— Matic Vihtelič, designerThe route was charted by aircraft designers
Company Pipistrel She willingly collaborated on Adrie's ambitious project. She helped adapt the excellent aerodynamics safe and energy-efficient driving.
Caravan ≠ airplane
It is important on the plane lift and air resistance. But with caravans, it relates to lift we avoid, as well as lateral forces. It is necessary for the air to primarily affect the component of the force in direction of travel — air resistance. Lift would drastically affect safety by reducing tire grip.
— Matej Andrejašič, Pipistrel · aerodynamics expertAir guide vanes as part of the design
Aerial experts determined the position and surface of the elements directing the airflow. Then the designers had to add aesthetics — how to achieve the typical Adria design with newly created guide vanes?
With engineer Adria by Uroš Dvornik we managed integrate guide vanes into the multifunctional rim element, which provided a unique silhouette and improved the quality of housing. We wanted to emphasize greater emphasis on the side wall than on the front — the competition tries to imitate the shape of the car, we wanted to do it more discreetly.
— Matic Vihtelič, designerAdria caravans of a new generation
Astella was pioneering and acclaimed caravan — still counts as the best luxury caravan on the market. Adria applied its insights, including aerodynamic know-how, to its best-selling caravans.
