Tag Archives: IAA MOBILITY

News

Leapmotor B10: China’s Smart SUV Heads for Europe — and It Means Business

The Chinese invasion continues, and this time it’s not cheap knock-offs or badge-engineered oddities — it’s the Leapmotor B10, a smart SUV that’s just set sail for Europe, and it’s gunning for the establishment. The B10 will make its grand entrance at the 2025 IAA Mobility show in Munich on September 8th, and — in a bold move — deliveries will kick off at the very same time. No teasers, no endless “concept” limbo, just straight into customers’ driveways. Take note, legacy automakers.

Built on the company’s shiny new LEAP 3.5 technology architecture, the B10 is more than just another EV with a big battery. Leapmotor wants to position it as a benchmark smart SUV — think Tesla Model Y levels of ambition but wrapped in a price tag that starts at just €29,900. That makes it one of the most aggressively priced electric SUVs in Europe, undercutting not just the Germans but even some other Chinese rivals.

And this isn’t just about exporting cars. Leapmotor insists this is about exporting quality. Big words, but the company has reason to be confident. In just a few years, it’s grown from a domestic contender to a global player with 700+ sales and service outlets across 30 markets. By 2025, the B10 will be on sale everywhere from Berlin to Buenos Aires, with Europe clearly being the jewel in its crown.

So what do you get for that headline price? Leapmotor is promising long range, clever tech, and the sort of cabin smarts you’d normally associate with brands whose names come with German umlauts. Expect AI-driven infotainment, semi-autonomous driving features, and the kind of connectivity that will make your smartphone feel like a Nokia 3310.

Make no mistake: the B10 is here to poke the establishment right in the ribs. It’s affordable, it’s global, and it’s here now. Whether it can really live up to its promise of “redefining the standards of smart SUVs” remains to be seen, but if you’re sitting in a VW ID.4 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 right now, you might be shifting in your seat a little.

IAA Munich. September 8th. The Leapmotor B10 arrives. And suddenly, the smart SUV game looks a lot less German.

Source: Stellantis

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

News

Volkswagen Aims for the Masses (and the Heart) at IAA Mobility 2025

Volkswagen isn’t just showing cars in Munich this September—it’s staging a full-on brand experience. Two years after debuting its “urban world of experience” at IAA Mobility, the Wolfsburg giant is back, and this time the focus is squarely on electric accessibility, performance heritage, and the company’s evolving place in everyday life.

The Star of the Show: An Affordable EV SUV

At Odeonsplatz, VW will pull the wraps off a fully electric compact SUV concept that previews a production model due next year. Slotting into the T-Cross class, this entry-level EV is billed as a cornerstone of the automaker’s “Electric Urban Car Family,” developed under the Brand Group Core umbrella alongside Škoda, SEAT, and Cupra.

Volkswagen promises more than just low-cost mobility. Kai Grünitz, the brand’s development chief, says the show car “sets standards within its class in terms of design, quality, operation, and space.” Translation: VW wants to prove that affordability doesn’t have to look or feel cheap.

A New T-Roc and a Nostalgic Collaboration

Not everything in Munich will be electric. The all-new T-Roc, a critical volume seller in Europe, makes its debut alongside the new EV. Volkswagen is also mining its heritage with a bit of performance fashion flair: the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE, a limited-run EV styled in collaboration with sportswear brand BOGNER FIRE+ICE. It will share the spotlight with the original Golf II Fire and Ice from the ’90s, a cult classic that still makes enthusiasts smile.

GTI at 50: Turning Up the Heat

Performance fans won’t be left out. VW is bringing the Golf GTI Edition 50, fresh from its Nürburgring debut. Packing 325 horsepower, it’s the most powerful production GTI to date—proof that Wolfsburg hasn’t forgotten how to stir the enthusiast’s soul even as it accelerates toward an EV-heavy future.

Beyond Cars: A Brand Playground

VW’s Open Space stand will be more than sheet metal on pedestals. Interactive stations, a GTI History Wall, racing simulators, and even personalized AI-driven brand experiences aim to make the visit memorable for fans of all ages. A Future Materials Lab will showcase the automaker’s work on recyclable, sustainable interior solutions—an increasingly hot topic as regulators push for circular production cycles.

Of course, no Volkswagen event would be complete without a nod to its cultural staples: the legendary VW Currywurst and free Melitta coffee will be on hand, alongside live music from acts like Armi Warning and Pa Sheehy. Even rock legend Peter Maffay is set to join expert talks exploring the intersection of professional sport, culture, and mobility.

A Stage, Not Just a Show

Martin Sander, VW’s sales and marketing chief, puts it plainly: “For us, the IAA MOBILITY is more than just a trade fair—it is a stage on which we make it possible to experience Volkswagen’s vision of mobility for everyone.”

In Munich this September, that vision looks equal parts accessible EVs, nods to heritage, and a healthy dose of brand theater.

Source: Volkswagen