The rebranded IAA Mobility is very much future-focused, as this congregation of metal is as interested in robotics and AI as it is in gleaming concept cars. This year was crammed with exclusives and a glimpse at what the auto industry might deliver in the years ahead, with a record turnout of Chinese newcomers joining the more established Western manufacturers.
Where motor shows of bygone eras celebrated the internal combustion engine, today’s auto events centre on technology, with more discussion about software than 0-60mph sprint times. With that in mind, here are the most significant debuts from the show.
Xpeng P7+
Xpeng has frequently been likened to Tesla and the comparison has merit. The firm is investigating every pillar of mobility, from present-day EVs to future flying cars and even humanoid robots.
The slightly more grounded P7+ EV made its European debut in Munich, boasting a 92.2kWh battery pack, 800V architecture and 585bhp that drew the crowds. Xpeng says ultra-fast charging can take as little as 12 minutes for a 10%-to-80% fill.
Polestar 5
That brings us neatly to the Polestar 5 – another elegant electric machine that will count the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan among its rivals when it arrives next year. With up to 871bhp available, it’s the most powerful Polestar yet.
It’s a long, low profile that can manage 416 miles of range on a single charge when the slightly less powerful Launch Edition is chosen. Moving up to the Performance trim drops the 0-62mph dash to just 3.1 seconds.
BMW iX3
BMW has been drip-feeding details about its “Neue Klasse” of EVs for several years, but the forthcoming iX3, shown in Munich, is the first tangible preview of what to expect from this new chapter.
Kicking off a lineup that is said to deliver 40 new models in the next couple of years, the contemporary SUV piles up the numbers: 500 miles of range from a huge 108.7kWh battery pack and charging times as short as 10 minutes to add 231 miles.
Cerence Mobile Work AI Agent
Okay, so this isn’t an eye-catching new concept car but it’s a far safer method to handle work tasks while at the wheel. Cerence has partnered with Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance its xUI AI assistant platform so it can now access all your cloud-based Word and Excel files.
The agent will also learn preferences over time, recognising that some drivers prefer quiet during parts of journeys, and users can tell the AI to be quiet mid-conversation.
Hyundai Concept Three
Fresh off the wild Insteroid concept comes another eccentric design study from the Korean marque. Simply named Concept Three, it presents the first “compact” EV under the Ioniq sub-brand of electrified cars.
There’s no information on powertrains or performance figures, but you can be sure some of the odder styling cues will make it onto the Ioniq production model, as Hyundai seems keen to push design boundaries at the moment.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Not wanting to be overshadowed by its German rivals, Mercedes-Benz also unveiled the new GLC, arguably one of the brand’s most popular SUVs. Perhaps less popular is the fact it’s going fully electric.
It will offer a 435-mile range from a 94kWh battery and 483bhp thanks to dual motors in the range-topping GLC EQ 400 when it reaches showrooms, with charging speeds listed at 330kW if you can find a suitable charger.
Cupra Tindaya
Cupra, the younger, edgier sibling of Seat, is pushing back against the tide of autonomous driving and robo-taxis, putting the human at the wheel by unveiling this aggressive-looking concept.
We expect it to heavily influence the next generation of high-performance SUVs from the marque, which is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing in Europe.
VW ID.Cross Concept
Volkswagen made a notable splash at IAA Mobility this year. The company also displayed what a raised SUV version of the ID. Polo might look like with the ID. Cross Concept.
Production versions of all the mentioned cars are set to go on sale as early as next year and the VW Group is intent on offering compact, electrified models from Skoda, Seat and VW for as little as €25,000.
QuantumScape Solid State Batteries
Solid-state batteries were a major talking point at this year’s show. Solid-state is touted as the next major advance in battery tech and QuantumScape, partnering with the VW Group’s PowerCo, revealed the first anode-free solid-state cells to move beyond the lab and into a vehicle.
QuantumScape says the solid-state packs deliver an 844 Wh/L energy density—higher than that of Tesla and BYD’s current tech—along with 12-minute charging times.
If you’re considering an electric vehicle, it’s worth reading our essential tips for buying a used electric vehicle.
Auto and lifestyle writer who loves simplifying complex topics into easy-to-understand insights.
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