Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Smart Gets Serious: The Smart #5 Takes on Munich

Once upon a time, the word “smart car” conjured up an image of something small, quirky, and—let’s be honest—a bit like driving around in a designer toaster. Cute, clever, city-bound, and as far from an SUV as you could possibly imagine. Fast forward to 2025, and smart has clearly been downing protein shakes and hitting the automotive gym. At this year’s IAA Mobility in Munich (September 8–14), smart is rolling out its entire portfolio, headlined by the new smart #5—a premium mid-size SUV that’s here to prove that the brand has grown up, bulked up, and is ready to spar with the big boys.

And it’s already collecting trophies. The #5 has just bagged a Red Dot Design Award for Product Design, which is shorthand for: “Yes, it looks good, and no, it doesn’t resemble a hairdryer anymore.” Instead, what you get is a spacious, versatile, tech-laden electric SUV running on a cutting-edge 800-Volt platform. Translation: faster charging than your phone and enough range to turn the term “range anxiety” into nothing more than a punchline.

Inside, it’s all about space, flexibility, and brains. The intelligent cockpit and advanced driver assistance systems are designed to make driving easier, safer, and—dare we say—more enjoyable. The #5 promises to handle everything from daily school runs to long-haul road trips, all while whispering “premium” in your ear with every soft-touch surface.

But this is Munich, and smart isn’t just here to show us a sensible SUV. Oh no, they’re throwing art into the mix. Enter the Keith Haring Art Car, a one-off sculptural statement on wheels, created in collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation. It’s funky, bold, and just the right amount of “look at me.” Smart’s booth at the Summit will use Haring’s work to celebrate the idea of streets as living canvases—a reminder that the brand has always been about urban mobility and breaking conventions.

Elsewhere, at the Open Space on Odeonsplatz, smart is going full lifestyle brand: the #5 Premium, #5 Summit Edition, and #1 BRABUS will all be on display, alongside interactive art studios, photo booths, and activities for families. It’s not just a car showcase—it’s a playground for anyone who likes their EVs with a side of culture.

And of course, no TopGear-style reveal would be complete without the spicy bit: the smart #5 BRABUS. Yes, the German tuning legends are back at it, sprinkling horsepower, aggression, and just enough lunacy onto the SUV to make sure it can keep up with the Teslas and Porsches of the world. If the standard #5 is the stylish all-rounder, the BRABUS version is the one that shows up to the party in a leather jacket and dares you to race it.

So, what’s the takeaway? Smart is no longer the brand of tiny cars that squeeze into half a parking space. The new smart #5 is bigger, bolder, and more ambitious—a proper SUV that might just redefine how we see the badge. Add in a bit of Keith Haring street cred, and suddenly smart isn’t just about moving people. It’s about moving ideas.

The press conference kicks off September 8 at 10 a.m., Hall B2, booth B01. Expect premium EVs, a splash of art, and probably a few raised eyebrows from those who thought smart would never grow up.

Source: Smart

NEW CARS

Toyota Camry Sprint: Sporty Looks, Same Sensible Soul

Remember when the Toyota Camry was the poster child for sensible car buying? It was the one your accountant uncle drove to the office, the one your parents bought because “it’ll last forever,” and the one you forgot was even parked in your driveway because it blended into the background like a beige filing cabinet.

Well, that same Camry is still alive and kicking, despite SUVs having eaten everyone’s lunch over the past decade. In fact, Toyota flogged nearly 600,000 of them in 2024. That’s more cars than most brands manage across their entire lineup. Clearly, the Camry is still the default setting for the world’s middle managers.

But in India, Toyota thinks the Camry could do with a little more… spice. Enter the Camry Sprint Edition, a car that looks like it’s just binge-watched Fast & Furious and ordered a matte-black wrap at 2am.

The Sprint Edition takes the regular hybrid Camry and slaps on a Matte Black hood, roof, pillars, and bootlid, so the thing suddenly looks like it’s trying out for the role of “mildly intimidating Uber Black.” You can pair this stealthy two-tone with one of five rather dramatic paint jobs—think Emotional Red (that’s actually the name, not a Tinder bio), Cement Grey, or a very moody Dark Blue Metallic.

To complete the transformation, Toyota’s local arm—Toyota Kirloskar Motor—has bolted on a new set of black alloys, added a lip spoiler, and given it bumper extensions that make it look angrier than it really is. From some angles, it’s almost convincing. From others, you’re reminded this is still a Camry—a car whose wildest party trick is offering ventilated seats.

And here’s the rub: while it looks friskier, the mechanical bits are completely unchanged. Underneath, it’s the same 2.5-litre hybrid, churning out a respectable but hardly thrilling 227hp and sending it all to the front wheels only. So, despite the “Sprint” badge, don’t expect Nürburgring lap times—this Camry’s idea of a sprint is probably just overtaking a tuk-tuk.

Still, the equipment list is nothing to sneeze at. Dual 12.3-inch screens? Check. 360-degree cameras? Check. Head-up display, wireless charging, ventilated thrones, and the full Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 nanny system? All present and accounted for. Basically, you’re getting a luxury car dressed up as a sporty one.

The kicker? The Sprint Edition costs ₹48.50 lakh (around $55k)—the exact same as the boringly named Hybrid Elegant trim. Which means you can pick: do you want your Camry to look like it’s sipping tea at the golf club, or like it’s sneaking out at night to race a Honda City? Either way, your wallet takes the same hit.

So, is the Sprint Edition revolutionary? Of course not. But it does prove that even the most sensible, beige, dad-spec sedan can have a go at dressing up for the party. The Camry may never be a Supra, but at least now, it’s not just your uncle’s car—it could be your uncle’s car with a matte-black hood and a secret Instagram account.

Source: Toyota Kirloskar Motor

NEW CARS

Subaru Impreza S-Edition: Rally DNA, or Just Fancy Shoes?

Ah, the Subaru Impreza. Once upon a time, it was the four-wheeled equivalent of a snorting rally hero—spitting flames, bouncing over gravel, and wearing gold wheels like a crown. But fast-forward to today, and the sixth-generation Impreza has become the sensible family hatchback of choice for people who like the idea of AWD but think horsepower is something you measure in lawnmowers.

Still, Subaru Australia seems determined to sprinkle some nostalgia dust on the humble hatch. Their latest concoction is the Impreza S-Edition, a special edition that looks like it got lost on its way to the Tokyo Auto Salon—and that’s not entirely a bad thing.

From the outside, it certainly talks the talk. The most obvious change is the new set of 18-inch Enkei alloys, finished in black and adorned with a cheeky red STI emblem—just in case your neighbours weren’t aware that your Impreza is, in fact, a bit special. Add a gloss-black front splitter, rear skirt, and roof spoiler, and you’ve got yourself a hatchback that looks like it’s trying out for a cameo in Gran Turismo. Subaru even throws in a unique sports grille, which is corporate speak for “it’s the same grille, but with fancier mesh.”

You can have it in just three colours—Pure Red, Crystal Black Silica, or Crystal White Pearl—basically, Ferrari, stealth mode, or stormtrooper. Inside, there’s an STI-branded start button and shift knob, because nothing says “performance” like red letters staring at you while the CVT hums like an electric toothbrush.

And here’s the rub: beneath all that cosplay, this is still the regular Impreza AWD 2.0S. Same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer, same 154 horses, same Lineartronic CVT. In other words, plenty of grip, but not much go. Subaru calls it “racing spirit from grille to tail.” We’d call it “STI in appearance only.”

At least it’s a sensible deal. Only 100 units will be made, each costing AU$42,490—about AU$3,500 more than the standard Impreza AWD 2.0S. But here’s the kicker: you’re getting about AU$6,500 worth of goodies, which means, on paper at least, Subaru is paying you to look fast while being… not fast.

And because Subaru loves to share, there’s also the Crosstrek Onyx, which gets its own set of dark alloys and a black rear spoiler. That one will set you back AU$43,890, which is basically a grand and a half extra for paint and wheels.

So, what have we learned? The Impreza S-Edition is the car equivalent of wearing a rally jacket over your office clothes. It looks the part, feels a bit special, and makes you smile in the mirror—but don’t expect it to suddenly turn into a WRX when the traffic lights go green.

It’s Subaru giving enthusiasts a wink, not a punch.

Source: Subaru Crosstrek Onyx