The big IAA outlook: Highlights in Munich

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For the third time, the IAA 2025 will attempt to stage something more than just a car show in the Bavarian capital from September 9. However, the new motto "It's All About Mobility" and many, many discussion panels, concerts and so on will not change the fact that the majority of visitors will continue to come for the automotive innovations. Especially as BMW and Mercedes-Benz are staging a duel in the particularly important mid-size SUV segment at the upcoming IAA.

BMW iX3 - the pioneer of the new class

It is no longer a secret among car enthusiasts that BMW is presenting a vehicle based on the New Class for the first time in Munich with an electric X3 offshoot. The new platform, which is all-electric, has a very high profile for BMW. After all, it was the "New Class" of the 1960s that finally saved BMW's future in the form of modern, sporty mid-range vehicles after the BMW 700 had laid the foundation for it.

Initial key data and technical details of the electrified iX3 model are also already known. It is the first BMW to use 800-volt technology. BMW promises a WLTP range of up to 800 km for the iX3. With a maximum DC charging capacity of 400 watts, it should also be possible to recharge for 350 km in just 10 min at best. Added to this is the completely new Panoramic Vision display concept and much more.

For fans of burning gasoline and rubber on racetracks, BMW is presenting an M2 with Track Package, i.e. semi-slicks and all sorts of poultry, almost like a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Even with the Track Package, the M2 should remain road-legal.

Comparatively little is happening at Mini this year. Only two particularly sporty BEV show cars from the company's own sporty John Cooper Works top line will be on display. They are probably intended to show how automotive irrationality can go hand in hand with a lot of emotion but few emissions.

Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ as iX3 competitor

Like the new BMW iX3, the Mercedes GLC EQ will have an 800-volt electrical system and a WLTP range of well over 600 km. A very high charging capacity can also be expected here. It is also set to usher in a new design language at Mercedes-Benz. Of course, the new CLA with 800-volt technology, which is already familiar from photos, is also on show in Munich. The CLA Shooting Brake will be shown in public for the first time.

A camouflaged prototype called the VLE will provide concrete evidence for the first time in Munich of what the next generation of the V-Class will look like. The Mercedes-AMG GT-XX study shows what the first purely battery-electric sports car based on the new AMG electric platform called AMG EA (Electric Architecture) will look like. With its pretty quotes from the legendary C111, one would hope that the four-door Taycan competitor will be exactly the same.

Smart: all about the #5

Although the #5 has already been presented, can be configured and ordered, all versions of the mid-size SUV from the Chinese former Mercedes-Benz small car brand can be experienced at the IAA in Munich. It is worth mentioning that only the entry-level versions are equipped with a 400-volt on-board electrical system, while all other versions have an 800-volt charging level, which gives the #5 a WLTP range of up to 590 km.

VW: ID.Polo, new T-Roc

One of VW's highlights is the long-awaited electric Polo successor, which will be called the ID.Polo and, unlike the e-Golf successor ID.3, is set to impress right from the start. The external dimensions hardly change compared to the previous model with a combustion engine. The ID.Polo is expected to be launched on the market next year.

The relaunch of the successful T-Roc model is also likely to meet with great interest. The compact SUV has been completely redeveloped. It is noticeably larger and offers more digital features. A plug-in hybrid is also new in the T-Roc. Friends of the convertible must be strong: The open-top T-Roc will not have a successor.

A new small SUV based on the Polo-sized electric ID.2 is also of interest. The ID.2 Cross is a near-production study based on the new MEB entry platform. It is therefore the electric T-Cross successor, so to speak, which is being shown here in Munich as a near-production study. The interior in particular is said to be very close to the future series. Small spoiler: the technically largely identical Group models Skoda Epic and Cupra Raval are also on show in Munich. Two special models will also be presented at the VW stand, the ID.3 GTX Fire and Ice and a 239 kW Golf GTI Edition 50.

Skoda: Epic and Vision O study

In addition to the near-production study of the Epic small SUV on theI D.2 MEB Entry platform, the Vision O study is a particular highlight at Skoda. It deliberately shows the design language of future electric estate models from Skoda, in particular the battery-electric successor to the Octavia Combi.

Cupra: Raval and Tindaya study

Cupra is already presenting the production model of an SUV on the ID.2 platform, as the Spanish brand started developing its small SUV earlier. For strategic reasons, however, the market launch, which was originally scheduled for this year, was postponed and synchronized with that of the ID.2.

The Tindaya study aims to be a highly emotional, dynamic and perhaps also somewhat wild presentation of a sports car that embodies and celebrates the fascination of fast driving, even with an electric drive. The name Tindaya comes from an impressive volcano on Fuerteventura.

Opel: Mokka GSE and Vision Corsa GSe Gran Turismo

We have already reported on the Corsa GSe Vision Gran Turismo study, which anticipates the lines of the next Corsa generation with a kind of racing car prototype in small car format. In particular, the future of the so-called Opel Visor, the characteristic Opel front end. However, the 588 kW electric super hot hatch is merely a gag for the Gran Turismo 7 computer game.

Opel is celebrating its electric sportiness in a completely real way with the Mokka GSE, which is a near-production model at the IAA and is actually planned for series production. With its 207 kW electric motor, the somewhat more civilized but by no means too reasonable top model is the production version of a rally vehicle. This is in accordance with the brand new eRally5 regulations of the FIA for an all-electric entry-level rally series.

Porsche: Cayenne E prototype and perhaps 911 turbo facelift

Porsche is currently working feverishly on the next, first all-electric generation of the Cayenne. Prototypes have already been circulating in the media, showing more of the future series step by step. In Munich, too, there will certainly be a vehicle that should whet the appetite for the future Cayenne generation without showing too much. There were also scant indications, without any guarantees, that a facelift of the turbo versions of the 911 could be shown in Munich. But we'll just have to wait and see.

Audi: Project C study, Q3 and perhaps RS5

The Audi Q3 and the Q3 Sportback have just been presented and will definitely be a focal point of Audi's trade fair appearance in Munich. Audi is still keeping quiet about whether the sporty A5 top model RS5 with six-cylinder hybrid drive will also be on show. In any case, the Project C study, which celebrates an electric TT successor with a Brutalo look, should be an eye-catcher at the trade fair.

Renault: World premiere of the new Clio, ultra-hot R5 Turbo 3E and Emblème study

In Munich, Renault will present the sixth and probably last completely new generation of its Polo competitor Clio, which was first presented 35 years ago. There will only be combustion and hybrid models. For those interested in electric vehicles, there will be the new R5 and R4 models.