Victor Gomez now owns a brand-new Porsche Carrera GT, which not only has a unique spec but also has zero miles on the clock, all thanks to Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division and its Factory Re-Commission programme.
This Carrera GT has undergone a complete transformation. The restoration process involved disassembling the entire car, refurbishing all the components and putting it together as it would’ve left the assembly line in 2005. Even the odometer is rolled back to 0 miles, as the car is virtually new.
The owner also requested a cosmetic overhaul, creating a one-of-a-kind Carrera GT. The silver exterior has been replaced with a red and white livery from the 1970 Le Mans-winning #23 Porsche 917. It has matte black carbon elements and black wheels.
The interior has been redone in red Alcantara with black seats, a red steering wheel, and matte carbon elements.
This Carrera GT project is a good example of the level of customisation offered by the Sonderwunsch division when money is no object.
Earlier this year, a limited-edition Porsche 911 S/T in a special ‘Paint to Sample Plus’ shade called Fraise was delivered. While our eyes were transfixed by the “strawberry” exterior, a small yet significant detail that went unnoticed was the limited-edition number plaque “1724/1963”.
A few days later, social media users started pointing out that another 911 S/T with the same number already existed, suggesting a massive goof-up at Porsche’s end. The original 911 S/T #1724 was delivered to Pedro Solis Klussmann of Guatemala.
Porsche acknowledged its mistake, stating that the faux pass came about during the manual ordering process of the additional customised badge for the customers’ cars. “There is a lot of specialized manual work involved in manufacturing and human involvement means that mistakes can happen. The important thing is how you deal with them,” Karl-Heinz Volz, Director of Sonderwunsch at Porsche, said. “It was very important to us to apologise to our customers appropriately and to correct the error.”
Porsche recently invited both customers together for a special day in Zuffenhausen to commemorate the double rarity of their 911 S/T. Both received a picture of the two cars, with their correct limited-edition numbers, as well as an elegant box with samples of the respective interior and exterior colours. In order to officially document the error as part of the company’s history, the incorrectly installed plaque was handed over to Frank Jung, head of the company archive, and catalogued and stored while the customers looked on.
The Fraise Porsche 911 S/T has undergone some changes since June, when we saw it for the first time. The decals on the sides are in Rouge Indien, matching the interior upholstery. It has black leather trim inlays, a Porsche crest in Turbonit and “Unobtanium” kick plates in white. It now features the correct limited edition number “1742/1963”.
The original 911 S/T #1724 is equipped with the Heritage Design package and is finished in the Shore Blue Metallic exterior colour. Inside, it has seat centre panels trimmed in Classic Cognac fabric with black pinstripes and a carbon fibre roll cage.
January marks the unofficial kickoff to RV show season—a stretch of the year when manufacturers, dealers, and RVers all converge at dozens of RV shows across the country to preview what’s new, compare models side by side, and start planning the camping year ahead.
For many shoppers, winter RV shows are the best opportunity to explore a wide range of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes without bouncing from dealership to dealership. New model-year updates are front and center, floor plans are easy to compare, and show-only incentives and special pricing can make attending well worth the trip, whether you’re actively shopping or just doing early research.
How To Prep for An RV Show
But with so many RV resources online, the real value of an RV show isn’t just how much you can see—it’s choosing what features, new technology, models, and brands you want to see in person beforehand, maximizing your time at the show.
There’s a lot of information to take in. You’ll have the opportunity to talk directly with manufacturer reps about their designs, construction approaches, and target price points — which can be a huge benefit in determining your final choice. But the different brands can blur together fast once you’re standing on the show floor.
Spending time researching the RVs and manufacturers you’ll encounter ahead of time gives you context: what questions to ask, which features actually matter, and which models deserve a closer look versus a quick walkthrough.
Below, we’ve outlined which RVs, brands, and shows to keep your eye on in January and offer some useful background and resources, so you arrive knowing what you’re looking at—and why. It’s a smart first step toward the right RV for you.
What To Expect from 2026?
Image by Camping World
This year, you’ll be able to tour new models and updates from some of our favorite brands. If you’re in the market for an affordable fifth wheel, for example, you may be in luck. Both Forest River’s Campsite brand and Keystone Coleman have added fifth wheels to their lineups, promising similar value-added features without going headlong into luxury RV territory. Or, in a word, practical features at a price you’ll love — but in a fifth wheel.
And that’s just the start. Here are our recommended must-see RVs this spring.
Coleman Fifth Wheels
For 2026, Keystone is expanding the Coleman lineup into fifth wheels for the first time, bringing one of the RV industry’s most recognizable value-oriented names into a new format.
Models like the Coleman Legacy 2400REX are aimed squarely at camping couples and lighter-duty tow vehicles, offering a compact fifth wheel footprint with familiar Coleman priorities: straightforward layouts, approachable pricing, and comfort-forward living spaces.
Coleman fifth wheels focus on maximizing usable space, entertainment features, and day-to-day livability—making them an important new option for shoppers who want the stability and interior height of a fifth wheel without stepping up into larger, heavier rigs.
Campsite Elite Fifth Wheels
Following the success of Forest River’s Campsite Reserve and Campsite Ultra travel trailers, the brand has expanded into full-profile fifth wheels with its new Campsite Elite lineup. Expect the same combination of practical features and value on a larger platform.
The initial Elite offerings — including the 32BAM and 36RF floorplans — blend spacious living areas and those iconic practical amenities that reflect what many owners have come to appreciate in Campsite. Standard equipment, including the X9 TITAN™ chassis, ULTRARIDE™ suspension, and Helux™ coil-cushion pin box, improves towing confidence and on-road comfort. Interior touches, such as panoramic windows, a well-appointed kitchen, and generous storage, make the space feel more livable and capable for extended trips.
Rumors are circulating about a follow-up 36AK model, which suggests Forest River may be rounding out the Elite lineup with additional layouts for 2026.
NEW — The Eddie Bauer Summit
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Eddie Bauer towables are back, and this time with an all-new fifth wheel built by Dutchmen RV. The Eddie Bauer Summit 3210RL brings a more intentional focus to how a fifth wheel is built, accessed, and used over time. Summit leans into practical construction, smoother towing, and easier service access—details worth slowing down for on the show floor.
What to watch for: Summit introduces stress-relief cuts in the exterior fiberglass, allowing the walls to flex naturally as the RV travels and helping reduce cracking over time. Underneath, Road Armor™ suspension is a meaningful upgrade, designed to reduce chucking and road shock for a smoother tow and less strain on the entire structure. Inside, the emphasis shifts toward practical access, which makes a real difference in day-to-day ownership—service panels for plumbing, electrical, and solar components are easier to find and reach. Dutchmen is also pointing to a 100% pre-delivery inspection on every unit, adding a layer of accountability worth asking about on the show floor.
Keystone Walkabout
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Created in collaboration with Steven Rinella and the MeatEater team, Keystone Walkabout is intentionally different from a typical slide-out travel trailer. The original Walkabout 26MAX took a familiar bunkhouse footprint and rethought it through an outdoor-first lens, adding purpose-built features like a boot dryer, fishing rod storage, a modular suction-cup outdoor kitchen, and even windows built into the top of the slide-out to bring in light without sacrificing wall space. It’s a camper designed less around campground aesthetics and more around how people actually come back from a day outside—wet gear, muddy boots, and all.
If you’re walking RV shows looking for something that doesn’t feel like a slightly re-skinned version of everything else on the floor, Walkabout is one of Keystone’s most distinctive departures.
Also worth noting from Keystone: the Springdale/Hideout 31SUNROOM and 29HAVEN continue to push flexible living space in a different direction, using enclosed or convertible rooms to blur the line between indoor and outdoor camping—another sign that Keystone is experimenting beyond traditional layouts this model year.
NEW Freedom Motorhomes
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Thor’s Freedom Motorhome lineup continues to dominate the affordable motorhome segment, with several new floor plans set to hit dealership lots in early 2026.
Freedom Traveler A28
The Freedom Traveler lineup from Thor Motor Coach continues into 2026 with multiple Class A floorplans, including the A28, offering a traditional full-profile motorhome experience with features suited for extended trips or full-time living. Built on a more compact Ford™ E-Series chassis with thoughtful interior layouts, Freedom Traveler models are designed to blend everyday comfort and drivability.
Explore Freedom Traveler
Eddie Bauer Class B
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From the same parent brand comes the Eddie Bauer motorhome series. In 2026, the lineup expands to include new layouts like the 19FA and 19FM. Part of Thor’s broader Eddie Bauer lineup that spans multiple lengths and configurations, these camper vans (and the related 19ED/19EU floorplans) pack a surprising amount of functionality into a smaller footprint.
Coleman/Freedom Elite 17D Pop-Top
Last year, the 17D camper van quickly became a popular option for van life enthusiasts. It offers a straightforward, highly functional van build without the hassle of actually building it yourself. The feedback? It really only slept two. So, Thor’s Freedom Motorhomes division introduced the 17D Pop-Top model for 2026, providing small families with the same easy path to explore van life that many couples had loved with the previous model year.
Use the links below to explore more:
Early 2026 RV Show Schedule
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Check out the schedules below, and then learn more about the upcoming camper shows in January.
Ultimate RV Shows
Mesa, Arizona
January 8 – January 11
Syracuse, NY
January 8 – January 11
Nampa, ID
January 11 – January 14
Pittsburgh, PA
January 11 – January 21
Worcester, MA
January 22 – January 25
Denver, CO
January 29 – January 31
Atlanta, Georgia
February 5 – February 8
Minneapolis, MN
February 12 – February 16
Temecula, CA
March 4 – March 8
Multi-Dealer RV Expos
In addition to hosting Ultimate RV Shows across the nation, Camping World will join other RV dealers at multi-dealer shows. Check out the full schedule below.
Indianapolis RV Expo
January 3 – January 4
Indianapolis RV Expo
January 7 – January 11
Ohio RV Supershow
January 7 – January 11
Florida RV SuperShow
January 14 – January 18
Greater Sioux Falls Outdoor Show
January 16 – January 18
Kansas City RV Show
January 23 – January 25
Louisville Boat, RV & Sport Show
January 28 – February 1
The Utah Sportsman’s Vacation & RV Show
February 12 – February 15
Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show
February 20 – February 22
Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show
February 25 – March 1
Portland Metro RV Dealers: 66th Annual Spring RV Show
March 12 – March 15
2026 RV Shows
It’s helpful to know which manufacturers will be at show. Better still if you know which brands are there. Not every show will have every RV mentioned above on display. In fact, inventory often varies widely. For this reason, we’ve included several of the most popular shows in January below—along with the brands that will be represented—to help you plan before your arrival.
Click on the manufacturer to explore their brands. Click on the select brand links to explore the standard and select features for each. If you have questions about the specific RVs that may be at a show, let us know in the comments.
Mesa, Arizona — Ultimate RV Show
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Where: Sloan Park, 2330 W Rio Salado Pkwy When: January 8–11
The Ultimate RV Show in Mesa is a convenient, low-pressure way to see many RVs from the 2026 lineup in person. With free admission and free parking, browse over 200 fully-staged new and used RVs at your own pace.
Beyond the rows of campers, the show offers a community atmosphere with on-site pet adoptions, industry exhibitor booths, and the chance to enter to win a new RV—making it a worthwhile destination whether you are ready to buy or simply gathering ideas for your next adventure.
The inventory on display covers the spectrum of RV types, from compact towables to full-profile motorhomes. You can expect to see some of the latest engineering and design updates from major manufacturers, allowing for side-by-side comparisons of the features that matter most.
Notably, this show is also a prime location to tour exclusive brands, including the new 2026 Coleman and Campsite models, so you can judge their value-driven amenities and family-friendly layouts for yourself.
RV Manufacturers at Mesa
Click to explore each manufacturer
Select Brands
The Must-See RV in Mesa
Campsite Elite 36RF
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If you’re in Mesa, don’t miss this chance to see the Forest River Campsite Elite 36RF. This fifth wheel showcases practical luxury, including the highly-functional mid-bunk room, massive panoramic windows, and smart details like a hidden pantry and the “Paw Pantry” pet-feeding station, making it perfect for extended family trips. This is an excellent opportunity to see
Syracuse, New York — Ultimate RV Show
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Where: NY State Fairgrounds (Exposition Center and the Micron Center of Progress) When: January 8–11
The Ultimate RV Show in Syracuse is one of the region’s largest, spanning two full buildings and featuring over 300 fully-staged new and used RVs at special show pricing. With free admission and free parking, this is a fantastic opportunity to see the newest travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes from top manufacturers under one roof.
Beyond the massive inventory, the show offers a community atmosphere with a Kid’s Zone, industry exhibitor booths, on-site pet adoptions, and the chance to participate in the Make-a-Wish RV Giveaway, making it a great day out for the whole family. Bus transportation is provided between the two buildings for convenient browsing.
RV Manufacturers at Syracuse
Click to explore each manufacturer
Select Brands
Keystone Cougar Keystone Hideout Keystone Bullet Forest River Grey Wolf Grand Design Imagine Forest River Wildwood Jayco Eagle HT Winnebago Navion
and many more…
The Must-See RV in Syracuse
Wildwood Roost 43
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Experience a new class of RV with the Forest River Wildwood Roost 43, a destination-style fifth wheel that feels more like a home than an RV. With an impressive 530 square feet of living space, this RV offers a unique two-level design that maximizes comfort and functionality. The main level features a residential-style kitchen with an island, a spacious rear den, and a convenient half bath. Upstairs, you’ll find two private lofts, one with a custom king-size bed and another with two bunk mats, providing ample sleeping space for family and guests.
The master bedroom is a true retreat, complete with a king bed, a dedicated TV and fireplace, and a private half bath, and the full bathroom is equally impressive, boasting a one-piece fiberglass shower with a teak seat and a washer/dryer. And while you’re checking out the exterior (complete with premium high-gloss gel coat fiberglass sidewalls), don’t miss the dual outdoor refrigerators!
Nampa, Idaho — Ultimate RV Show
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Where: Ford Idaho Sports Center, 16200 Idaho Center Blvd When: January 8–11
The Ultimate RV Show in Nampa is your chance to explore over 150 new and used RVs from the 2026 lineup, featuring special show pricing and new product debuts. Free admission and a convenient location make it an ideal place to compare models, from compact towables to full-profile fifth wheels and luxurious motorhomes.
This show also features a family-friendly atmosphere, including a Kid’s Zone and industry exhibitor booths, plus the opportunity to enter to win a new RV—making it a worthwhile destination whether you are ready to buy or simply gathering ideas for your next adventure.
RV Manufacturers at Nampa
Select Brands
The Must-See RV in Nampa
East to West College Avenue 2201
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Step into the future of RVing at the Nampa Idaho Ultimate RV Show with the 2026 East to West College Avenue 2201. This Class C motorhome offers a premium experience in a compact package, with a spacious queen bedroom slide-out and family-friendly sleeping options, all under 24 feet. It’s built on a powerful Ford E-450 chassis and features premium partial paint standard—requiring a higher-grade fiberglass—with full-body paint options also available. With an included Arctic Package, plus Starlink and solar prep, this RV is ready for any adventure. Don’t miss this perfect blend of comfort and quality.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Expo
Where: Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard When: January 15–18
The RV Expo in Pittsburgh offers an exclusive first look at new 2026 models with free admission and free parking. This event showcases over 75 fully-staged new and used RVs with special RV Expo pricing, making it an excellent opportunity to compare models and secure a great deal before the prime camping season. Attendees can expect to see the latest engineering and design updates from major manufacturers, including new product debuts, and have the chance to enter to win a new RV.
RV Manufacturers at Pittsburg
Select Brands
Keystone Coleman Keystone Coleman Light East to West College Avenue Forest River Wildwood Forest River Wildwood FSX Forest River Campsite Reserve Forest River Campsite Ultra Thor Freedom Elite Jayco Jay Flight SLX
Worcester, Massachusetts RV Expo
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Where: DCU Center, 50 Foster Street
When: January 22–25
The RV Expo in Worcester is a great opportunity for New England RV enthusiasts to see the latest models. This event showcases over 85 new and used RVs, offering exclusive special RV Expo pricing and free admission to browse at your leisure.
This is your chance to get an exclusive first look at new 2026 models from top manufacturers, perfect for planning your next camping season. You can expect to see a wide variety of RV types, from motorhomes to travel trailers, all under one roof.
RV Manufacturers at Worcester
Select Brands
Denver, Colorado — Ultimate RV Show
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Where: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St.
When: January 28–31
The Ultimate RV Show in Denveris one of the region’s largest RV events, featuring over 300 new and used RVsat special Ultimate RV Show pricing. With free admission, this is a prime opportunity to step inside a wide assortment of fully staged RVs, including compact travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and Class A motorhomes, all located in the heart of Denver.
The show offers an exclusive look at new 2026 models and a dynamic atmosphere that includes industry exhibitors, a Kid’s Zone, on-site pet adoptions, an ACL (American Cornhole League) area, and the chance to enter to win a new RV.
RV Manufacturers at Denver
Select Brands
Must-See RV
Forest River Sabre 37RVMILES
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The 43-foot Sabre 37RVMILES was created with full-time comfort and flexibility in mind. The standout feature is its versatile rear room, which serves as a den, office, or guest room, complete with a tri-fold sofa, a built-in desk, and a 70-inch projector screen for movie nights. Above this space, a loft provides additional sleeping or storage options. The chef’s kitchen offers generous counter space and a workstation sink, while the living area includes a comfortable sectional sofa and fireplace.
The exterior features the exclusive Sabre Sun Deck, a side patio with its own awning, perfect for outdoor entertaining. With thoughtful details like a heated underbelly, electric auto-leveling, and washer/dryer prep, the 37RVMiles is the perfect escape for modern travelers.
Florida RV SuperShow
The Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa is widely known as one of the largest and most exciting RV events in the country. Spanning multiple buildings and outdoor areas across the Florida State Fairgrounds, it draws thousands of RV enthusiasts, shoppers, and travelers every year.
With over 1,300 RVs on display and more than 450 exhibitors, the show features representation from every major RV manufacturer, allowing you to compare everything from compact travel trailers to luxury motorcoaches side-by-side. In addition to the massive inventory, you can take advantage of educational seminars, live entertainment, meet popular RV influencers, and find show-only deals on accessories and camping gear.
Of course, Camping World will be there, representing many of our best manufacturers with one of the widest selections of the year, all in one place.
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds
When: January 14–18, 2026
RV Manufacturers at Tampa
Select Brands
Plus many more…
Interested in attending? Get your Tampa SuperShow tickets here.
Whether you are stepping into your very first RV or looking to upgrade to a new flagship model, the January RV shows are the perfect place to start your year of adventure. Take advantage of special show pricing, compare floor plans side by side, and speak directly with manufacturer representatives to have your questions answered.
Are you planning on attending a show this winter? Let us know about it in the comments below.
BMW’s rethink for the 5 Series facelift appears to extend straight to the M5. New spy shots show a camouflaged G90 prototype that looks noticeably different from the test car photographed earlier this year—especially up front. The front styling appears to be an evolution of the outgoing design language, retaining the classic grille. As you can see, the kidney grilles no longer integrate with the headlights, unlike the other test car seen in February. The headlights themselves also seem to have a revised shape and no longer flank the black horizontal band seen on earlier prototypes.
Of course, nothing is official at this point. After all, BMW may be playing tricks with the camouflage. These may not be the final headlights; they could be placeholders used only during testing. Even so, while the headlights and grille appear different than before, the front bumper design is unchanged. It remains just as aggressive, featuring numerous air intakes to cool the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.
Because the kidneys are now smaller, there’s no longer room for the radar sensor in the grille. Instead, it has likely been relocated to the lower portion of the bumper, just below the license plate. This cleans up the upper section, though the sensor will likely still stand out once the camouflage is removed. On the new iX3, BMW managed to hide it behind a glossy black panel, but doing the same here was likely deemed too costly given that the 5 Series is receiving a mid-cycle facelift rather than an all-new generation.
There’s more to this M5 prototype than an updated front fascia. BMW already appears to be using production-ready taillights. Visible through the camouflage are revised graphics similar to those seen on the upcoming 3 Series and i3 sedans. That said, the taillight cluster itself seems to be carried over, as its shape, size, and positioning appear unchanged.
While BMW is apparently dialing back the Neue Klasse influence on the exterior, the cabin is set for a far more significant overhaul. Everything you love or loathe about the iX3’s interior technology should carry over. In addition to the new 17.9-inch iDrive X display, Panoramic Vision windshield projection, and a 3D head-up display, a passenger-side screen could also be in the cards.
While the extent of the exterior revisions remains unclear, prepare for a significant change in the cabin. BMW is believed to spruce up the interior by making more generous use of Alcantara. The updated M5 is still a long way off, with a launch not expected until the second half of 2027. Next year should be packed with spy shots that help fill in the remaining design blanks.
Attached below are images of the previous 2028 BMW M5 facelift prototypes.
New additions to Triumph’s retro motorcycle lineup are the 2026 Triumph Tracker 400 and Triumph Thruxton 400. The pair join the current model Scrambler 400 XC, as well as the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X (priced at RM26,900 and RM29,900 in Malaysia, respectively.)
Power for both middleweight Triumphs comes from a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-valve, DOHC mill, producing 42 PS at 9,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 37.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm from 398 cc 8. A six-speed gearbox with slip and assist clutch delivers power to the rear wheel via chain final drive.
Drawing inspiration from flat track racing, the Tracker 400 is fitted with a tracker-style fuel tank, with functional knee cut-outs. This is matched with a fly screen and colour-coded seat cowl, and the dual-spoke wheels are fitted with blocky dual-purpose Pirelli MT60 RS tyres, 110/70-17 in front and 150/60-17 at the back.
Suspension for the Tracker 400 is with black anodised 43 mm upside-down big piston forks with 140mm of travel, while the rear monoshock provides 130 mm of travel with spring preload adjustment. The tracker is stopped by single hydraulic discs front and rear, the front wheel getting a four-piston calliper while the rear is fitted with a single-piston calliper, and two-channel ABS is standard equipment.
Weight for the Tracker 400 is listed at 173 kg, while 13-litres of fuel is carried in the tank, and seat height is set at 805 mm. Colour options for the Tracker 400 are Aluminium Silver Gloss, Racing Yellow and Phantom Black.
Meanwhile, the identically engined Thruxton 400 is from the cafe racer school of design, with fairing housing the classic round LED headlight, and clip-on handlebars fitted with bar-end mirrors. Adding to the sporty looks of the Thruxton 400 are a colour-coded bullet seat cowl, shortened rear mudguard and number plate hanger, plus compact LED light contribute for a minimalist, purposeful rear, with upswept silencers completing the package.
The clip-on handlebars are 40 mm narrower and 246 mm lower than those on the Speed 400, while the rear-set footpegs are positioned 86 mm further back and 27 mm higher. This places the rider in a canted forward position, in keeping with the sporty nature of the Thruxton 400.
Black anodised 43 mm upside-down big piston forks with 135 mm of travel are fitted in front, while the rear end is propped up with a preload-adjustable monoshock with 130 mm wheel travel. Similar to the Tracker 400, the Thruxton 400 stops using single hydraulic brake discs, front and rear.
The Thruxton 400 weighs in at 176 kg, with a racing style 13-litre fuel tank fitted with Monza fuel cap, while seat height is measured at 795 mm. There are four colour schemes for the Thruxton 400 – Phantom Black and Aluminium, Carnival Red Gloss with Aluminium Silver, Pearl Metallic White and Storm Grey, and, Metallic Racing Yellow with Aluminium Silver.
The Amalfi arrives as Ferrari’s new front-mid-engined 2+ coupé, replacing the Roma and proving that “entry-level” is only a price point. This is a wonderfully athletic GT that keeps the recipe refreshingly simple: a twin-turbo V8 up front, an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, rear-drive balance, and driver-focused technology that enhances rather than distracts.
At its heart is the latest evolution of the F154 V8. It delivers 640 cv at 7,500 rpm with a 7,600 rpm red line, good for 0–100 km/h in 3.3 sec and 0–200 km/h in 9.0 sec. Ferrari cites a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 2.29 kg per hp. On the road you feel the way the Amalfi stacks thrust: razor-sharp throttle response, clean pick-up, and upshifts that drop you into an even stronger band of torque. The dual-clutch gearbox is a highlight. Shifts are very quick; if the default thump on aggressive upshifts feels a touch theatrical, a calmer map tones it down.
Turbo control and calibration make the numbers feel natural. Independent turbo-speed management for each bank, higher maximum turbo rpm, and dedicated pressure sensing help the engine pick up from low revs and charge to the top. The flat-plane crank and equal-length runners add clarity of response and a purposeful note as revs rise. Hold a gear and the Amalfi rewards you with pull and sound that build to the limit.
Chassis tuning convinces from the first kilometre. Steering and primary controls feel “very Ferrari”: immediate, accurate, never frantic. Side Slip Control 6.1 links the e-diff, torque management and brake control to give a confident, playful balance. The front axle keys in quickly, the wheel gains reassuring weight just off centre, and with the Manettino in more permissive modes the rear breathes without biting. ABS Evo, using a 6D sensor to estimate true vehicle speed and optimal tyre slip, tidies straight-line stops on mixed surfaces and adds stability when the road is less than perfect.
The only system that required brief acclimatisation was brake-by-wire. Pedal feel is consistent once your foot learns the initial bite, and modulation soon becomes second nature. Day to day, Bumpy Road Mode remains a faithful Ferrari trick for broken tarmac, while the nose-lift proves its worth over monumental speed humps. Aerodynamics are neatly integrated rather than showy. Underbody fairings trim drag, the floor and diffuser manage wake, and an integrated rear wing switches between low-drag and higher-downforce settings to keep the car calm at speed without visual fuss. The effect is simple: the Amalfi stays planted as lateral load builds, with no lift to undo the steering’s good work.
Inside, Ferrari has fixed the key frustration. The steering wheel now uses physical buttons, including a proper aluminium start button. The triple-screen HMI pairs a 15.6-inch driver display with a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch passenger screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and a neatly milled aluminium centre tunnel houses the charger and switchgear. Materials feel rich and well assembled. Only one seat type is offered; deeper bolsters would be welcome if you live near the limit, but heating, ventilation and massage make long days painless. The rear seats are best for bags and jackets, which suits the brief.
The design evolves the Roma’s clean, sculptural theme. Fewer lines, more surface. The nose looks tidy and technical without jewellery, while the tail hides the lamps within crisp graphic cuts above a functional diffuser. It reads modern and confident rather than theatrical, which suits the car’s character.
What lingers is the ease with which the Amalfi serves its performance. The steering is precise, the throttle is trustworthy, and the chassis invites you to explore the balance. Ferrari’s control philosophy: SSC 6.1, ABS Evo, predictable DCT mapping; works quietly in the background, helping you feel skilful rather than supervised. This is, in the best sense, a driver’s GT: quick, communicative, and effortless to gel with. The Amalfi may sit at the entry point to Ferrari’s range, but it feels anything but basic. The powertrain is vivid, the chassis is beautifully judged, and the cabin finally marries modern tech with sensible ergonomics. If you want a Ferrari that looks elegant, goes hard, and communicates clearly, without hybrid complexity or all-wheel-drive weight, this is it. Entry-level is just the label. The experience is pure Ferrari.
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The small town of Akaroa is a quick drive from Christchurch. It’s a popular day trip for travelers and is known as the one place in New Zealand settled by the French.
We visited in 2018 and found the town to be quaint and beautiful. It’s set on the water and surrounded by mountains with plenty of cafes and restaurants with views of the sunset.
But what we missed on our first visit to Akaroa is perhaps what Akaroa is best known for—the water.
For this visit we booked a boat tour with Black Cat Cruises with a guarantee that we would see dolphins (or your money back). With such a claim, the kids were excited to see some wildlife. The cruise is costly, but kids under 5 are free!
Check out our experience in this video:
This video is part of our series motorhoming across New Zealand in our Wilderness Motorhome rental. Check out the full series here.
We were thrilled to quickly see many Hector dolphins, the smallest dolphin breed in the world. They have a unique body and fin shape that makes them instantly recognizable.
The real spectacle of this tour was once we made it past the harbor. We were surrounded by cliffs, jagged coastline, and hidden caves. The water turned an unreal shade of blue. We discovered waterfalls, seals, and even found a lone penguin!
This was a particularly great day in New Zealand and one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever traveled. Add it to your bucket list!
*I’m in no way affiliated with Black Cat Cruises. Akaroa is beautiful and a boat is a great way to experience it!
Tesla is aiming to combat a common Full Self-Driving problem with a new patent.
One issue with Tesla’s vision-based approach is that sunlight glare can become a troublesome element of everyday travel. Full Self-Driving is certainly an amazing technology, but there are still things Tesla is aiming to figure out with its development.
Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to get around this issue, and even humans need ways to combat it when they’re driving, as we commonly use sunglasses or sun visors to give us better visibility.
Cameras obviously do not have these ways to fight sunglare, but a new patent Tesla recently had published aims to fight this through a “glare shield.”
Tesla writes in the patent that its autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles are heavily reliant on camera systems to navigate and interact with their environment.
The ability to see surroundings is crucial for accurate performance, and glare is one element of interference that has yet to be confronted.
Tesla described the patent, which will utilize “a textured surface composed of an array of micro-cones, or cone-shaped formations, which serve to scatter incident light in various directions, thereby reducing glare and improving camera vision.”
The patent was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.
The design of the micro-cones is the first element of the puzzle to fight the excess glare. The patent says they are “optimized in size, angle, and orientation to minimize Total Hemispherical Reflectance (THR) and reflection penalty, enhancing the camera’s ability to accurately interpret visual data.”
Additionally, there is an electromechanical system for dynamic orientation adjustment, which will allow the micro-cones to move based on the angle of external light sources.
This is not the only thing Tesla is mulling to resolve issues with sunlight glare, as it has also worked on two other ways to combat the problem. One thing the company has discussed is a direct photon count.
CEO Elon Musk said during the Q2 Earnings Call:
“We use an approach which is direct photon count. When you see a processed image, so the image that goes from the sort of photon counter — the silicon photon counter — that then goes through a digital signal processor or image signal processor, that’s normally what happens. And then the image that you see looks all washed out, because if you point the camera at the sun, the post-processing of the photon counting washes things out.”
Future Hardware iterations, like Hardware 5 and Hardware 6, could also integrate better solutions for the sunglare issue, such as neutral density filters or heated lenses, aiming to solve glare more effectively.
Throughout 2025, I ran a series of columns in BMW Owners News detailing my life riding a 1976 R 90/6, one of BMW’s venerable “Airhead” generation of motorcycles. The R 90/6 is something of an icon, though perhaps not so much as its sportier brother, the R 90 S. The non-S version is what we would call a “standard” – if it was a Honda, it would have been a “Universal Japanese Motorcycle,” or UJM. These bikes were pretty much all you could get for street riding in the early to mid 1970s, and they were expected to do anything and everything the rider asked of them.
What I asked of the R 90/6 was to put me back in touch with why I loved riding motorcycles so much in my late teens through late 20s. Somewhere along my journey as a motorcyclist, I’d lost track of why I loved riding and in the 2020s, found it to be something of a chore—something I felt I had to do instead of something I did because I loved doing it. I wanted to recapture the feeling of loving to ride again, and for whatever reason, I decided that riding a vintage bike would be the trick.
The 1976 R 90/6 that is the focus of this series, pictured here in November 2024 on my maiden test ride. I’ve installed the aftermarket reproduction seat and it has fresh tires, but not much else has been done to the bike yet. This ride was to test the suspension and get it warmed up for an oil change.
I bought the bike from my friend Jon, who lived near Phoenix, Arizona, at the time. He’d owned the bike for several years, but as his interests shifted from camping from him motorcycle to camping with his girlfriend out of his vintage Land Rover, the bike got sidelined and ended up sitting in his storage space for a couple of years. He asked me to buy the bike and of course I did—in May 2023. I didn’t know at the time it would be a year and a half before I could ride the bike safely, and you’ll find out along with me in this series of blog posts why that happened and more.
To ensure I rode only this vintage motorcycle, I put my 2015 R 1200 GS into long-term storage, transferred the plate to this bike and took it off my insurance. I also owned a 2019 Indian FTR1200S, but had already decided to sell it, as my knees could no longer handle the aggressive riding position.
The basic format of what’s going on here is me sharing my diary entries with the world and supplementing those with my columns in the magazine and other materials as we go along. Every time I rode the bike, I wrote an entry in my notebook about miles ridden, fuel consumed, places gone, meals eaten and the like. I’m going to publish those diary entries here, one year to the day after I made them. Some names and specific details may be altered to avoid embarrassing myself or others, but overall what you’ll see here is nearly word-for-word what I wrote as I rode the bike. When warranted, I’ll update the entry with a One Year Later comment to hopefully offer some insight as I gain distance from the ups and downs of what it was like to rely on a 50-year-old motorcycle on a daily basis.
I hope you enjoy the process, both from the tree view and from the forest view.
As the snowflakes dance outside and twinkling lights adorn every street, Christmas whispers promises of joy, surprises, and perhaps the ultimate gift wrapped in a big red bow—a set of wheels that sparks adventure. Imagine waking up on December 25th to find a vehicle gleaming in your driveway, ready to whisk you away on winter road trips or summer escapades. But here’s the magic: we’re talking about options that won’t break the bank, all available for under $35,000 street price. Whether it’s a shiny new model fresh from the lot, a dependable used gem with stories to tell, or a timeless classic that turns heads, the holidays are the perfect time to ponder what ride would make your heart race.?
Picture this: Santa’s sleigh is impressive, but what if your wishlist included a compact hatchback, zipping through city streets with ease and efficiency? These nimble newcomers often come loaded with modern tech like touchscreens and safety features, making them ideal for young drivers or families on the go. Or maybe you’d prefer a rugged crossover, blending the comfort of a car with the versatility of an SUV—perfect for hauling holiday decorations or towing a small trailer for that post-Christmas getaway. At under $35k, these vehicles offer reliability without the hefty price tag, proving that thoughtful gifts can be both practical and exciting.
For those with a taste for history, classics beckon like forgotten treasures under the mistletoe. Envision a vintage convertible from decades past, its chrome accents sparkling like holiday ornaments, or a restored muscle car that roars with nostalgic power. Used options expand the possibilities even further—think midsize sedans with low miles, spacious minivans for family gatherings, or even electric hybrids that sip fuel like eggnog. These pre-owned picks often include warranties and inspections, ensuring peace of mind as you cruise into the new year. And don’t overlook trucks or wagons; they’re workhorses disguised as gifts, ready for everything from snowy commutes to weekend projects.
This season, let’s turn the spotlight on you. What vehicle would you splurge on for yourself if the budget capped at $35k? Would it be a sporty coupe that hugs curves like a warm hug, or a practical pickup for everyday heroics? Perhaps a sleek electric vehicle to embrace the future, or a retro roadster for pure fun? If it arrived as a surprise gift, which type would light up your face brighter than Rudolph’s nose—a new daily driver, a used adventure machine, or a classic charmer?
As carols play and stockings overflow, remember that the best gifts ignite passion and create memories. Share your dream ride in the comments below—what’s on your holiday wishlist? Whatever you choose, may your journeys be merry, safe, and filled with the spirit of the season.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, or whatever you celebrate! And here’s to finding the perfect wheels under your tree!
