Ever since the curtains were very abruptly drawn on the Geneva Motor Show in March 2020, there haven’t really been any major motor shows held in Europe since.
But the IAA Mobility event – also known as the Munich Motor Show – being held this week sees a return to form, as a range of global manufacturers descend on the German city to unveil their latest and greatest new cars.
Let’s take a look at the most important new cars from the Munich Motor Show…
BMW i Vision Circular
There’s a big theme of forward-thinking concept cars at this year’s Munich Motor Show and first up the BMW i Vision Circular, which is an innovative model that aims to preview what a compact model from the firm could look like in 2040.
Above all else it prioritises sustainability, and is said to be made from 100 per cent recycled materials, which can then go on to be fully recyclable in the future too – up from 30 per cent in current BMWs.
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Cupra is getting well prepared for an era of electrification, with the brand set to bring a range of new EVs and hybrids to the market over the coming years. One of which will be an affordable new electric model, which is previewed here with the Urban Rebel concept car.
Revealed at the Munich Motor Show, the show model is instead inspired by motorsport, with the huge rear spoiler and flared bodykit that adorns it unlikely to make its way onto the production car.
Enquire on a new CupraDacia Jogger
Dacia might have only revealed its Jogger on Friday, but it quickly made its public debut at the Munich Motor Show. It’s an all-new model for the budget brand, and is a full-seven-seater, which is said to be the cheapest of its kind.
Offering room for seven adults, a big boot and a choice of petrol options from launch, Dacia has also said the model will spawn a hybrid version, which will be the first of its type to be sold by the firm.
Enquire on a new DaciaHyundai IONIQ 5 robotaxi
Hyundai isn’t showing traditional cars at the Munich Motor Show, but instead showing its mobility pledges. And its main showcase is a new autonomous robotaxi based on its latest IONIQ 5 EV.
Developed with driverless car specialists Motional, the model uses Level 4 autonomous technology that means it can safely operate without a driver, and will be used for driverless public ride-hailing service due to start in 2023. Also at the show, Hyundai announced plans to go fully carbon neutral by 2045, while it will stop selling combustion-powered cars in Europe by 2035.
Enquire on a new HyundaiMercedes EQG
Mercedes has absolutely dominated this year’s Munich Motor Show, and one of its main highlights is the Concept EQC – a model that previews an electric version of the brand’s G-Wagon off-roader.
It’s a model that will go into production too, with Mercedes saying it offers a ‘promising preview of what a Mercedes G-Class with battery-electric drive will be capable of’.
Mercedes EQB
While Mercedes might have presented its EQB earlier this year, this new electric SUV has now been detailed, with the firm confirming that both front- and all-wheel-drive models will be available, and that it will be a full seven-seater.
It’s set to be the firm’s most family-focussed electric car yet, and will likely go down well with customers looking to switch to an EV without compromising on practicality.
Mercedes EQE
Mercedes has also pulled the wraps off the new EQE – its second electric saloon car that can be thought of as an electric version of the brand’s E-Class. It’s 9cm shorter than the EQS and promises more interior space than you get with the brand’s conventionally-powered models of the same size.
With a range of up to 410 miles promised in its top-spec guises, as well as the firm’s stand-out ‘Hyperscreen’ interior setup.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS
Maybach is Mercedes’ luxurious division, and though selling even more upmarket versions of its S-Class and GLS SUV, the brand is ready to move into electric cars – as previewed by the Mercedes-Maybach EQS concept.
Its first model will be an SUV, with this concept said to be ‘near-production’. It puts a special focus on rear seat comfort and technology, with a production version due in 2022. Mercedes will launch a production SUV version of the EQS ahead of Maybach, too.
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53
While Mercedes might offer a range of electric cars already, its AMG division is yet to work on any of them. Until now that is with the debut of the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53. Offering close to 750bhp and more than 1,000Nm of torque, it’s claimed to be able to reach 60mph from a dead stop in around three seconds.
It will rival Tesla’s ‘Plaid’ versions of its Model S, and Mercedes is promising that there will be more to it than just its outlandish performance as it’s set to be fun to drive as well.
Enquire on a new Mercedes-BenzPorsche Mission R
Porsche took the opportunity at Munich to show how the future of motorsport could look with the Mission R concept. As alongside the brand’s road-going cars, racing models play a big part in its success.
This is a vision of all-electric motorsport, with its twin electric motor setup delivering well in excess of 1,000bhp and allowing some startling performance figures – 0-60mph, for example, takes as little as 2.6 seconds. Impressive charging speeds also means that a 15-minute break from racing would be able to charge its battery from five to 80 per cent.
Enquire on a new PorscheRenault Megane E-Tech Electric
which will alongside the Zoe in its EV range. This funky hatchback gets SUV-inspired styling and a raft of new technology, while boasting a new interior design for the French firm.
This isn’t a concept car, though, but a production-ready model that will hit showrooms at the start of next year. Sitting on a new platform known as CMF-EV, the Megane E-Tech Electric will be available in a range of guises, and offer an electric range up to 292 miles.
Enquire on a new RenaultVolkswagen ID. Life
While Volkswagen might be rapidly expanding its EV range, so far the brand has been missing that low-cost entry-level electric car – a void the German firm aims to fill with the ID. Life.
Though shown in concept form, this show car will go on to preview the brand’s new entry-level crossover that’s due in 2025. Using a smaller version of the brand’s acclaimed MEB electric car platform, Volkswagen promises the ID. Life will cost as little as €20,000 (£17,000).
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