One of the world’s largest mobility shows, The Munich Motor Show, often referred to as the “IAA Mobility,” has returned. It is one of the most anticipated and influential events in the automotive industry. Held in the vibrant city of Munich, Germany, this premier exhibition brings together automakers, enthusiasts, and innovators from around the world.
The IAA MOBILITY stands for a modern and comprehensive concept of mobility like no other event. In concrete terms, this means that we want to make it possible to experience mobility in all its facets – both on site during the IAA MOBILTY and online, because we see ourselves as the world’s first mobility platform for networking a huge global community.
In addition to automobiles, it offers space for innovative and creative solutions around infrastructure and energy issues as well as cycling, e- and micromobility, in order to fill future concepts such as urban and rural mobility and smart city infrastructure with life and to create livable spaces wherever possible.
As the automotive landscape continues to transform in the face of sustainability and technological progress, join us on the journey as we give you the important highlights of the Munich Motor Show.
BMW: A highlight of the event from the stable of BMW is the Neue Klasse concept, with which the company wants to pit against the likes of Tesla. BMW says it will offer an entire range of saloons and SUVs in dealerships starting 2025, and not just one car based on the Neue Klasse concept.
BMW has a variety of models, including the fully electric BMW i5. The event also features the plug-in hybrid variants of the new BMW 5 Series and the BMW i7 Protection, the first-ever all-electric protection vehicle in the luxury sedan segment. The internal combustion models of the 5 series and 7 series are also on show.
BMW is actively involved in hydrogen fuel-cell development, and it is showcasing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen at the Summit. MINI will introduce its new model family, including the fully electric MINI Cooper and the fully electric MINI Countryman.
Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the concept CLA Class–a four-door electric coupe with a new “electric-first” platform. The EV concept draws inspiration from the EQXX prototype.
The CLA compact electric sedan will be launched next year and targets 30% to 35% more driving range. It is targeting power use of 12 kilowatt hours per 100 km, and 750 km of driving range, which compares to the 17-18 kWh per 100 km in an EQA 350 compact SUV model Mercedes offers today. Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer Markus Schaefer said they were moving towards a level of 50% cost reduction.
The German car maker also introduced the new E-Class All Terrain with a new petrol-electric plug-in hybrid system, increased ride height and new range of drivetrains, which is claimed to provide it with an electric range of up to 63 miles on the WLTP test cycle. The car is now 4950mm in length, which is 17mm longer and 1904mm in width, which is 33mm wider. The height remains unchanged at 1497mm. The car is due for the European market early next year.
Audi: The focus of Audi’s activities at IAA Mobility is the revolutionary cockpit and interior of the Q6 e-tron including a completely new display and operating concept.
The Audi Q6 e-tron is the first model series based on the newly developed Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and the new E3 electronics architecture. Both serve as the basis for rethinking the interior’s design and range of functions. The car has an 11.9-inch driver display and 14.5 inch infotainment display, as well as an optional augmented reality head-up display.
Tesla: The facelift of the popular Tesla Model 3 has been showcased at the Munich motor show. It now comes with a 5%-8% boost in its range. The long-range model will now come with a WLTP certified range of 629 km, while the standard rear-wheel drive model gets a range of 554 km. The revised front end is said to reduce the drag coefficient to 0.21, improving the range and refinement at high speeds.
The car gets a new 15.4-inch infotainment system and two wireless phone chargers. It will go on sale in the global markets starting next year.
Volkswagen: “Success by Design” was this year’s motto at the Volkswagen Group Media Night. CEO Oliver Blume presented key findings on realignment of Volkswagen Group and set guard rails for future design strategy.
Two days before the official start of IAA 2023, Volkswagen Group conducted a pre-show event. The focus of the evening was on design. VW showcased the ID GTI, the electric successor to the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The front-wheel-drive hot hatch will be a new entry-level electric car line-up with a front-mounted electric motor, specially tuned sport suspension, traditional GTI design elements and a price tag expected to start at around EUR 30,000 (USD 32,400). VW CEO, Thomas Schäfer said the production version of the ID GTI would be revealed in 2026 and be on sale in early 2027. Volkswagen will also unveil the Tesla Model 3 Performance rival with a new dual-motor, four-wheel drive powertrain.
Renault: Renault CEO, Gilles Vidal, VP Design, Renault brand, and Anne-Chloé Kort, Product Leader, unveiled the All-new Renault Scenic E-Tech electric, the sustainably designed all-electric family vehicle.
The car offers 620-km-plus WLTP range. Designed around the thought of families and their need to travel freely and safely, the Renault Group said that it embodies sustainable development strategy through its three pillars: environment, safety and inclusion.
The Scenic E-Tech electric will rival the Tesla Model Y. It will be offered with two battery sizes. The standard cars will get a 167 bhp motor paired to a net 60kWh battery, giving a 0-62mph time of 9.3secs and a claimed range of more than 261 miles. Renault said that EV makers should avoid price war.
BYD: BYD introduced the Ocean-inspired BYD SEAL and the BYD SEAL U to European customers. Both the vehicles are equipped with BYD’s innovative technology for safety, comfort and performance, while appealing to different audiences. The BYD SEAL (D-sedan) has dynamic low lines that give it a sporty stance.
The BYD SEAL also benefits from BYD’s iTAC (Intelligent Torque Adaption Control) for advanced stability and safety performance. It comes with a 570/520km (WLTP combined) driving range. The BYD SEAL will be available with the 82.5 kWh BYD Blade Battery. There will be two trim levels: the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) ‘Design’ with 230 kW and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) ‘Excellence’ offering a stunning 390 kW.
The BYD SEAL is joined by the BYD SEAL U (U meaning Utility) which makes its European premiere. The BYD SEAL U is BYD’s electric SUV in the D-segment. The BYD SEAL U can carry 5 passengers with a generous cargo capacity, making it a practical and spacious option. The BYD SEAL U comes in two trim levels. The Comfort version offers a 71.8 kW BYD Blade Battery with a 420km range and the Design version is mounted with an 87 kWh Blade Battery and offers a reassuring 500km WLTP range.
Avatr: The Chinese brand Avatr is a collaboration between car maker Changan and smartphone giant Huawei. The company is expected to provide details on the Avatr 12 saloon that recently leaked via patent filings in China.
The car will be 5020mm long, 1999mm wide and 1460mm tall and the wheelbase 3020 mm. The dimensions are slightly bigger than the Tesla Model S. It will be available with two electric powertrains: a single-motor setup sending 308bhp to the rear wheels, and a four-wheel-drive dualmotor variant with 570bhp. These two models are claimed to have a cruising range of 650 km and 700 km respectively. Both drivetrains are supplied by Huawei’s DriveONE and are coupled with a ternary lithium battery pack supplied by CATL. Charging times should be brisk as well, thanks to the 800V platform.
