Today’s Drive: Retro Rumbles, Smarter Streets, and EV Growing Pains

I brewed the good coffee for this one. Overnight, the news cycle served a mix that feels very 2026: cities leaning on algorithms to unclog intersections, EVs stepping up in range and polish, and a couple of retro rides crashing the party like it’s 1986. Let’s jump in.

Smarter Cities, Smoother Commutes (Mostly)

CarExpert reports Australia will trial AI-powered traffic lights for the first time. As someone who’s done the Melbourne–school-run–footy shuttle for years, the promise is seductive: adaptive signals that respond to real-time flow, not a fixed timer from 1999. If the pilot sticks the landing, you’re looking at fewer phantom reds and snappier clearance for buses and emergency vehicles. Cautious optimism is appropriate—clever code still needs clean data and maintenance budgets.

On the flip side, CarExpert also notes a Telstra outage disrupted parts of the Chargefox EV charging network across Australia. I’ve had road trips hinge on a single high-speed charger, so outages like this are a reminder: an EV is only as reliable as the pipe feeding it electrons. Pro tip for long hauls: always map a Plan B site and toss a Type 2 cable in the boot. The calm you’ll feel at 8% state-of-charge is worth the boot space.

EVs on the March: MG sharpens its S5, Bentley names its first EV

MG’s 2026 S5 EV, per CarExpert, gets more power, longer range, and confirmed pricing. The headline is balance. Recent MG products have been livable in the suburbs and tolerable on B-roads—torque that actually wakes up at roundabouts, decent ride even on coarse chip, and infotainment that (finally) keeps pace. If MG’s bumped range and power in tandem, that’s the sweet spot for young families eyeing the leap to electric without the luxury badge price.

Bentley, meanwhile, has given its first EV an official name (CarExpert). No specs in the brief, but here’s the real question with electric Bentleys: can they preserve the brand’s signature rolling refinement without masking the charm? I drove a Bentayga W12 years ago that made lousy tarmac feel like crème brûlée; if Crewe can translate that magic to battery weight and silence, game on. Expect outrageous cabin materials, seamless torque, and a charging plan tailored to champagne calendars.

Small, spicy, and accessible: Abarth Topolino and Dacia Striker

Autocar says Fiat is mulling a hot Abarth version of the tiny Topolino. A quick, cheeky urban runabout with some attitude? Yes, please. Make it the car you snag for a last-minute gallery opening or a run to the fishmonger on a narrow backstreet. If they nail throttle calibration and throw in a playful sound profile, it’ll charm buyers who want fun that fits in a bike lane (figuratively!).

Also from Autocar: the Dacia Striker debuts as a value-forward SUV–estate for the UK, targeting a sub-£25k starting price. Dacia’s knack is spending money where you notice—seats, ride tuning, heater strength—and skimping where you won’t. In a cost-of-living era, that’s a winning formula.

Business lens: Chery’s big margins

Autocar’s analysis pegs Chery’s profitability at roughly triple the VW Group’s. Translation: the value brigade is getting frighteningly efficient. Streamlined supply chains, fewer trim permutations, and aggressive pricing have redefined what £12k–ish SUVs can be. For buyers, it means more kit for less. For legacy brands, it’s a migraine wrapped in a spreadsheet.

Throwback Thursday, on a Tuesday: Toyota and Scout go retro

Carscoops reports Toyota is bringing back the 1980s Land Cruiser 70—an icon built like a stubborn idea. It’s pure nostalgia with a practical streak: upright glass, honest sheet metal, and the kind of durability that makes rental fleets weep with joy. It’s slower than modern crossovers and louder than you remember—but on a scabby track with corrugations, that old-school simplicity just works.

Also via Carscoops, Scout’s “Spirit of ’26” is a retro-inspired throwback that previews where the reborn off-road brand’s vibe is headed. If they balance heritage cues with modern usability (chargers that don’t eat up approach angles, washable cabins, proper recovery points), they’ll tap into the same emotional well that made the OG Scouts beloved.

Accessory alley: Foton teams up down under

CarExpert notes Foton has partnered with Ironman and other Aussie/Kiwi firms to expand Tunland accessories. Good move. A ute without an accessories ecosystem is a suit without shoes. Localized racks, bars, and suspension bits are what turn a purchase into a lifestyle—think Cape York weeks and Bunnings runs.

Retro Off-Roaders: Quick Compare

Mainstream Movers: Kia trims the top, Mitsubishi plays it steady

CarExpert reports Kia is discontinuing its most luxurious model. Flagship sedans have been on a gradual retreat in SUV-centric markets, so the move tracks. For the handful of buyers who still want a big, plush Kia with a proper back seat and hushed cabin, this one stings. Expect the brand to funnel that polish into crossovers and EVs where the demand (and margin) sits.

There’s also a fresh 2026 Mitsubishi ASX Exceed review on CarExpert. The ASX’s MO has always been straightforward usability over fireworks. If you want an easygoing small SUV for the school run and the odd country B-road, it usually delivers—big glasshouse, simple controls. The Exceed badge suggests all the trimmings; the key will be whether Mitsubishi has tightened ride/steering and modernized the infotainment experience to current expectations.

Safety Corner: Ford recall round-up

Motor1 reports Ford’s latest recalls affect about 110,000 vehicles, including the Mustang. If you’re an owner, the drill is the usual: watch for manufacturer communication, check your VIN through the brand’s recall tool, and book a dealer visit when parts and procedures are ready. It’s mid-year; build in a little patience for workshop scheduling.

Culture Break: The 80s are back (again)

Autocar’s look at the 1980s cars we idolised lands on the same day Toyota dusts off the LC70, which feels about right. The lesson? Character travels well. Clean lines, honest proportions, and tangible controls never go out of style—our tech just gets better at carrying them forward.

Quick Bites

• AI traffic lights trial in Australia aims to cut congestion and improve emergency response timing (CarExpert).
• Chargefox charging disruptions tied to a Telstra outage highlight infrastructure fragility (CarExpert).
• MG S5 EV to offer more power and range with 2026 pricing confirmed (CarExpert).
• Bentley’s first EV gets an official name; expect serene speed and serious materials (CarExpert).
• Value play: Dacia Striker starts under £25k in the UK (Autocar).
• Chery’s margins reportedly triple VW Group’s, underscoring the value-brand surge (Autocar).
• Toyota revives the Land Cruiser 70; Scout teases a retro-future with “Spirit of ’26” (Carscoops).
• Ford recalls approx. 110,000 vehicles, including the Mustang (Motor1).

Conclusion

From AI-managed junctions to analog-spirited off-roaders, today’s slate is a tidy snapshot of the moment: tech where it counts, nostalgia where it soothes, and value pressing from below. Keep your charging apps updated, your route plans flexible, and your heart open to a square-edged fender. It’s a good time to love cars—old souls and new brains alike.

FAQ

When do Australia’s AI-powered traffic light trials start, and where?

CarExpert says the trial is greenlit; authorities will confirm specific locations and timelines. Expect early pilots focused on busy urban corridors with measurable congestion.

How much more range and power does the 2026 MG S5 EV get?

CarExpert reports increases to both, with pricing confirmed. Exact figures weren’t detailed in the brief—check local MG channels as specifications roll out market by market.

What is Scout’s “Spirit of ’26”?

A retro-inspired preview that signals design and intent for the revived Scout brand. Think classic cues blended with modern utility and, likely, electrified underpinnings.

How do I check if my Ford is part of the latest recall?

Use Ford’s official recall/VIN lookup or contact your dealer with your VIN. Motor1 notes around 110,000 vehicles are affected, including the Mustang.

Why did Chargefox stations go down for some users?

CarExpert attributes disruptions to a Telstra outage. Service typically resumes as network connectivity is restored; always plan a secondary charge stop on long trips.