Analysis
6 Sep 21

IAA Mobility 2021: What are the car innovations presented in Munich?

The International Motor Show (IAA) in Munich is the first major auto show in Germany since the break-out of the pandemic and is seen as a fresh start for auto trade fairs.

While the show doesn't include brands like Stellantis, Toyota, General Motors and Volvo, their absence is filled with major German manufacturers and European brands, as well as newcomers from China.

Asking the question: "What will move us next?" The IAA 2021 presents the auto area where manufacturers are revealing their innovations for green mobility. So, it is not just the cars but also e-scooters, bicycles, buses and self-driving cars that will showcase at IAA 2021.

Here is what some of the brands have to offer:

BMW

BMW is showcasing its i4 and iX EVs and the electrified X5, which will be launched in 2022. Another innovation is the BMW X5 with hydrogen fuel cell, expected to be on the roads in 2023. The updated X3 and X4, along with the 4 Series Gran Coupe, will appear at IAA 2021, with the possibility of updated iX3 making an additional appearance. BMW is also displaying the CE 04 e-scooter, which has an impressive 130-kilometre range.

BMW also announced the compact concept for 2040, called Circular (pictured), in which sustainability will depend on fully recycled materials. By this concept, BMW will produce cars out of materials that have already completed their life cycle. The solid-state batteries will be %100 recyclable. The new sustainability model of BMW will be decorated with the iVision Circular concept, which aims to reduce the number of components and material groups. Mixing the SUV and minivan elements, iVision Circular will be 4000 mm long, representing almost the size of i3 fully-electric hatchback.

Mini

Mini is displaying the fully-electric Mini Cooper SE and the PHEV Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4. The most interesting innovation of the Mini will be the physical version of the futuristic autonomous car the Urbanaut (pictured). Described as a “lounge room on wheels”, the Vision Urbanaut is designed to be a near-future EV passenger carrier and also can adapt to different needs.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen comes to the stage with the new T7, the modernized Polo, the Taigo small SUV coupe and the ID. The range will appear on IAA 2021 with ID.5, the coupe variant of ID.4. Scheduled for the second half of 2021, VW ID.5 GTX is expected to have a 225 kw/h system, based on the VW Group's MEB platform.

Audi

After unveiling the Skysphere in August, Audi will display the second of its autonomous BEV, the Grand Sphere, which comes as a replacement for the A8. The luxury sedan, with an elegant design is 5.35 metres long, is based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and equipped with Level 4 autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, Grand Sphere stands as a dynamic rival to Mercedes EQS and Lucid Air.

Renault

The first and foremost display of Renault is the Megane E-Tech Electric (pictured). Additionally, the French automaker will unveil the R5 Prototype, reflecting the retro features of the 80s small car. That won't be all for Renault at IAA 2021, the Group's new Limo BEV sedan, which is developed together with Chinese partner Jiangling Motors Group (JMCG) is also being displayed. Offering 411 litres of volume with 3 passengers, the new Limo BEV sedan has a 110 kW motor with a top speed of 140 km.

Ford

Ford is fully-electric at IAA 2021, starting with the BEV Mustang Mach-E (pictured), the PHEV Kuga and the mild-hybrid Puma. The main attraction of Ford appears as the Mustang Mach-E GT, representing the most powerful version of the all-electric Mustang-E series. With its 487 hp engine and 860 Nm torque, Mustang Mach-E GT accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. With a battery capacity of 98.7 kWh, the Mustang Mach-E GT offers a range of 500 kilometres.

Hyundai

Hyundai unveiled its commitment to a zero-emission goal instead of presenting new or updated EV models. Yet, test drives will be available with Ioniq 5, Nexo and Kona Elektro and also Elec City Fuel Cell bus. One important innovation of Hyundai is the robotaxi model, based on the Ioniq 5 and developed with Motional. The robotaxi will feature rider-focused interfaces to enable passengers to interact with the car during their journey. Hyundai announced a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2045 as the automaker decided to stop selling ICE vehicles in Europe by 2035. Hyundai Motor announced its dedication to reducing carbon emissions 75% below 2019 levels by 2040. By 2030, Hyundai plans to increase the share of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to 30%. A decade later, 80% of fleet sales will be BEVs and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).

Great Wall Motors

China's Great Wall Motors is entering our European market a second time, now with two new models unveiled at IAA 2021. Great Wall Motors first appeared in the European market in 2012 but withdrew its investments five years later. Now, Great Wall Motors targets Germany as the first step in Europe with a PHEV from the premium Wey brand and a smaller compact BEV from the Ora brand. After Germany, the new models will be rolled out in the UK, France, Italy and Spain, as well as a Nordic country in 2022. Before that, the Coffee 01 PHEV SUV will be available for order in Germany at the end of this year. Coffee 01 PHEV has an electric range of 150 km. The Ora CAT (pictured), which has a range of 400 km, will arrive in Europe the same year.

Image of IAA 2021, courtesy of IAA Mobility 2021.

Inline images of vehicles, courtesy of the various manufacturers.

Authored by: Müfit Yılmaz Gökmen