Electric Cars

Cars

Car Show

Car Maintenance

Racing

English

Cars

Air|Water Porsche Show Returns to California on April 25th

Slide 9
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 1
The Air|Water Porsche Show, a dynamic evolution of the iconic Luftgekühlt event, is poised for its highly anticipated return to Costa Mesa, California, on April 25th. This year marks its fifth overall installment and third at this specific venue. Co-founded by racing legend Patrick Long, the event aims to offer an inclusive experience for all Porsche aficionados, transcending the traditional focus on air-cooled models to embrace the full spectrum of Porsche's engineering marvels.

Experience Porsche's Legacy: A Celebration of Innovation and Design

Unveiling the Vision: From Luftgekühlt to Air|Water

Born from the creative minds behind Luftgekühlt, the Air|Water show carves out its own niche by extending the appreciation for Porsche vehicles beyond the air-cooled era. This expanded format welcomes both classic and contemporary models, allowing for a more comprehensive showcase of Porsche's storied history and technological advancements. The organizers' vision was to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive environment for a wider audience of enthusiasts.

The Genesis and Evolution of a Grand Showcase

The decision to launch Air|Water stemmed from a desire to broaden the existing Porsche event landscape. While Luftgekühlt meticulously honors vintage Porsche models, Air|Water aims to bridge the gap, bringing together a diverse collection that spans from the earliest designs to the latest innovations. This approach not only provides a platform for modern Porsche technologies but also engages new generations of fans, ensuring the brand's enduring legacy is celebrated in its entirety.

A Hub for Enthusiasts: Features and Future Aspirations

Air|Water distinguishes itself with engaging features such as live Porsche auctions and an expansive exhibitor hall trade show, designed to enhance the attendee experience. Co-founder Patrick Long articulates the show's objective: to dismantle any barriers to entry and establish a recurring annual meeting point for the global Porsche community. Looking ahead, Long expresses a keen interest in featuring the legendary Porsche GT1, an iconic model that epitomizes the transition from air-cooled to water-cooled engines, suggesting it could be a centerpiece of the 2026 event. The possibility of integrating track-based events in the future also hints at an evolving and dynamic future for Air|Water.

Return to Costa Mesa: A Familiar and Favored Locale

The OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California, once again plays host to the Air|Water Porsche Show. This venue has become synonymous with the event, marking its third occasion here. The choice of location underscores the organizers' commitment to creating a consistent and accessible gathering for the Porsche community, solidifying its place as a staple in the automotive event calendar.

Spotlight on Excellence: Patrick Long's Favorite and Future Desires

Patrick Long, a prominent figure in the Porsche racing world and a co-founder of Air|Water, shared insights into his personal highlights and future aspirations for the show. He particularly cherishes the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3R, especially when brought to life by the legendary Jorg Bergmeister. Long's ambition extends to showcasing the Porsche GT1, an engineering marvel that encapsulates the shift in Porsche's engine design philosophy. This highly coveted vehicle, with its rich racing heritage and limited street versions, represents a dream inclusion for future Air|Water events, potentially in 2026, further cementing the show's reputation for presenting extraordinary Porsches.

A Glimpse Inside the Redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos Interior
Cars

A Glimpse Inside the Redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos Interior

2026 Volkswagen Golf R: Long-Term Test Vehicle
Cars

2026 Volkswagen Golf R: Long-Term Test Vehicle

Unveiling the 2027 Kia Seltos: A New Era for the Subcompact SUV
Cars

Unveiling the 2027 Kia Seltos: A New Era for the Subcompact SUV

Cars

Dodge Durango GT America250 Edition Unveiled

Slide 3
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 1

Dodge commemorates America's 250th anniversary with the exclusive 2026 Durango GT America250 edition, offering a blend of patriotic styling and robust performance. This special model, mirroring the Ram 1500 A250, allows enthusiasts to celebrate the nation's milestone with distinctive exterior and interior enhancements. From star-patterned stripes to U.S.-themed leather upholstery, the Durango GT America250 stands out as a unique tribute. It's available across various all-wheel-drive configurations, ensuring both V-6 and V-8 powertrain options are covered, and positions itself as a premium offering in the mid-size SUV segment.

Commemorating a National Milestone with Unique Design

Dodge is joining the celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, set for July 4, 2026, by unveiling a special edition of its popular Durango GT model. This "America250" variant offers a distinct way for patriots to showcase their national pride, much like the previously announced Ram 1500 A250. Unlike a typical anniversary commemoration involving fireworks, this edition allows owners to broadcast their patriotism on a grander scale with a vehicle designed to stand out. The decision to extend this special treatment to the Durango, a mid-size SUV, highlights its appeal to families seeking both utility and a touch of national celebration.

The 2026 Dodge Durango GT America250 distinguishes itself with several exclusive design elements. On the exterior, the vehicle features prominent body-spanning stripes adorned with a star pattern and blue tracing, complemented by black 20-inch wheels. Special America250 badges, featuring a U.S. flag motif, are strategically placed on the front fenders, further enhancing its commemorative appeal. Inside, the cabin boasts upscale Black Laguna leather upholstery. The seats are intricately embossed with an American flag design, revealing an exclusive blue color through perforations. Additional interior details include Demonic Red seatbelts, red-and-white contrast stitching on various surfaces, and carbon-fiber trim throughout, creating a luxurious and patriotic ambiance. This blend of exterior boldness and refined, themed interior sets the America250 edition apart from standard Durango models.

Performance and Pricing of the Patriotic SUV

The America250 treatment for the 2026 Dodge Durango GT is exclusively available on all-wheel-drive models, ensuring enhanced traction and control for a wide range of driving conditions. The lineup begins with the GT Plus variant, which is powered by a capable 295-horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. For those desiring more robust power, the special edition can also be paired with the SUV's formidable 360-horsepower Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 engine, available in both the Hemi Plus and Hemi Premium trims. This flexibility allows buyers to choose the powertrain that best suits their needs while still enjoying the unique aesthetic and patriotic features of the America250 edition.

Dodge has confirmed that the 2026 Durango GT America250 edition will be available for order starting early this month, providing ample opportunity for interested customers to secure their commemorative vehicle. The pricing structure for this special edition is competitive, reflecting the added features and exclusivity. The V-6-powered GT Plus model starts at an MSRP of $51,585. For those opting for the more powerful V-8 engine, the Hemi Plus begins at $53,265, and the top-tier Hemi Premium model is priced from $56,265. These price points position the America250 edition as an attractive option for consumers looking for a distinctive and powerful SUV that also celebrates a significant national anniversary, combining luxury, performance, and patriotic pride.

See More
First Impressions of the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R: A Long-Term Test
Cars

First Impressions of the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R: A Long-Term Test

Kia PV5 Electric Van: A New Era for NYC Taxis and Accessibility?
Cars

Kia PV5 Electric Van: A New Era for NYC Taxis and Accessibility?

Subaru Debuts 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid with Enhanced Off-Road Capabilities and Fuel Efficiency
Cars

Subaru Debuts 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid with Enhanced Off-Road Capabilities and Fuel Efficiency

Cars

Rare BMW-Powered Defender 90 Hits Auction Block

Slide 17
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16
Slide 17
Slide 1

The automotive world is buzzing with the upcoming auction of a highly unusual vehicle: a Land Rover Defender 90 powered by a BMW engine. This particular model, designated as the Defender 2.8i, is a fascinating product of BMW's brief ownership of Land Rover, marking a significant departure from the Defender's traditional diesel powerplants. Only 656 units of the Defender 90 received this unique BMW M52 inline-six engine, making it a true rarity on the market.

This specific Defender 2.8i has undergone a comprehensive frame-on restoration, including a full overhaul of its BMW M52 engine. This 2.8-liter twin-cam unit delivers an impressive 190 horsepower and 213 lb-ft of torque, providing a much smoother and more spirited driving experience compared to its diesel counterparts. The restoration has also integrated numerous modern enhancements, such as LED lighting, a customized interior with diamond-stitched black leather bucket seats, and advanced Bluetooth audio systems. These modifications transform the classic off-roader into a refined restomod, bridging its rugged heritage with contemporary luxury and technology. The blend of original rarity and modern customization creates an intriguing prospect for potential buyers, highlighting the ongoing debate between preserving authenticity and embracing personalized upgrades in collectible vehicles.

As this distinctive Defender 90 prepares to cross the auction block at Barrett-Jackson, its unique attributes spark important questions for collectors. The extensive customization and recent mechanical interventions raise considerations about its original state and the motivations behind such a comprehensive overhaul. While the restoration ensures longevity and enhanced performance, it also challenges traditional notions of collector value, which often prioritize unblemished originality. The sale of this vehicle will ultimately test how the market weighs the intrinsic value of a rare factory-built model against the appeal of a meticulously updated and personalized classic, serving as a dynamic example of evolving collector preferences.

This special Land Rover Defender 90 epitomizes the spirit of innovation and adaptation within the automotive industry. Its journey from a utilitarian workhorse to a sophisticated, BMW-powered machine demonstrates that true value can emerge from unexpected fusions of engineering and design. The ongoing dialogue among enthusiasts and collectors about originality versus modification only enriches the narrative of such vehicles, reminding us that every automobile has a unique story to tell, continually inspiring us to appreciate both heritage and progress in equal measure.

See More