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Who mentioned motor exhibits – at the least these outdoors of China – had been useless?
This 12 months’s IAA Mobility present in Munich featured a number of main reveals, not solely from German manufacturers but in addition the likes of Hyundai (the Three idea) and Leapmotor (the B05 electrical hatch).
Mercedes-Benz confirmed off a radically totally different electrical SUV with its GLC with EQ Expertise, whereas Porsche revealed the final word model of its present 911 within the Turbo S.
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The Volkswagen Group additionally displayed camouflaged variations of the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval electrical autos (EVs), plus close to production-ready variations of its Volkswagen ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq electrical SUVs.
See? Fairly eventful. However listed below are the automobiles we at CarExpert discovered essentially the most thrilling.
Alborz Fallah: BMW iX3
The brand new iX3 is totally beautiful in particular person and that inside would put Bentley on discover.
With 800km of vary, if BMW Australia can land it for the same value to its predecessor’s and get the phrase out, the brand new iX3 ought to construct on the success of its different i fashions and turn out to be a sure winner.
On the entire, I additionally give huge kudos to BMW for its dedication to releasing 40 new or up to date fashions incorporating ground-breaking Neue Klasse know-how as seen within the iX3 by 2027. Whether or not they’re EV or ICE, they are going to all get the identical know-how therapy.
As BMW bosses instructed us, you fall in love with a BMW first, then decide the powertrain that fits you. And there ought to he no compromise whether or not it’s an EV or not.
This actually looks like the brand new period for BMW dominance.
MORE: 2026 BMW iX3: Clear-sheet mid-size electrical SUV lands in Australia subsequent 12 months
Marton Pettendy: Audi Idea C
Contemporary from axing its complete sports activities automobile vary together with the good R8 tremendous coupe and spyder, the horny TT coupe and roadster, and the modern A5 coupe and cabriolet, Audi has now previewed the efficiency automobile that can successfully exchange all of these two-door fashions inside two years.
And it says the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive two-seat roadster will stay devoted to the slinky however minimalist Idea C when it reaches showrooms in 2027, together with the electrically folding hardtop roof – a primary for the German model – that turns it right into a coupe on the push of a button.
The one drawback is that, just like the next-generation Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman twins upon which it could be primarily based, it will likely be all-electric.
So even when Audi delivers on its guarantees of a sub-1700kg kerb weight and ultra-rapid charging due to its 800V electrical system, it might not be the driving force’s automobile the wonderful V10-powered R8 was.
MORE: Smooth Audi Idea C previews German model’s subsequent sports activities automobile
Paul Maric: BMW iX3
Now that is what I’m speaking about.
I’m sick of the generic procession of boring automobiles popping out from the Germans. They’re hooked on rolling out automobile after automobile that appears simply the identical as the following.
The iX3 dares to be totally different and utterly overhauls the idea of an electrical SUV for BMW – and for the complete mid-size premium SUV phase.
Other than a latest batch of Chinese language automobile corporations saying new engineering and know-how ideas, this is among the first press releases I really learn in depth to see what BMW had carried out.
I actually can’t wait to drive it. So long as it doesn’t botch the pricing, BMW may have an actual probability of warding off the litany of latest gamers which have flooded the market.
Ben Zachariah: Renault Clio
It’s been 5 years because the Renault Clio was dropped from the corporate’s Australian lineup. However whereas Renault’s Australian arm has pivoted to supply a variety of SUVs – together with the Megane E-Tech, Koleos, Arkana, and the spunky new Duster – the Clio has continued to be bought in Europe, the place the city-friendly hatch has cemented itself as the preferred French automobile ever made, regardless of solely debuting in 1990.
The most recent unveiling reminds us that small hatchbacks not solely nonetheless exist on the earth, however that they matter. Because the world continues its dependancy to ever bigger and heavier SUVs, the fact is most individuals don’t want something greater than a small automobile as their main methodology of transportation.
What’s extra, the brand new Renault Clio appears rattling good. The French automaker has been on a roll of late, with the likes of the Renault 4 E-Tech, the Renault 5, the R5 Turbo 3E, the aforementioned Duster, and the electrical R17 restomod idea.
The brand new Clio is using that wave of cool which appears to be sweeping throughout the corporate, combining sharp, aggressive, and darkened design components with the traditional form of a metropolis hatchback. It could sit a little bit greater – maybe in an try and steal again a few of the SUV converts – however the brand new model nonetheless sits on the identical CMF-B HS platform, shared with Nissan, as its predecessor.
However there’s one factor in regards to the Renault Clio announcement that ought to be headline information: the new-generation hatch shall be provided with a guide transmission. Even when it’s unlikely the Clio will make its approach again to Australian showrooms, any firm nonetheless providing a guide transmission to the world ought to be celebrated. Viva la Clio!
MORE: 2026 Renault Clio: Eye-catching new metropolis hatch unveiled with improved hybrid
James Wong: BMW iX3
I’ve a variety of respect for automobile producers that carry idea designs to manufacturing, and BMW has completely carried out that with the brand new iX3.
Not solely does it look nearly precisely just like the Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X idea that previewed it, however it debuts the German marque’s all-new devoted EV platform with next-generation drive techniques and on-board applied sciences.
The claims are enormous – over 800km of WLTP vary, 400kW DC fast-charging – and the inside show tech appears to be on one other stage. Very spectacular.
I’m trying ahead to seeing extra from BMW, particularly the inevitable revival of the i3 nameplate.
Josh Nevett: Mercedes-AMG GT2 Version W16
At a present filled with conservative EVs aimed on the mass market, it was pleasing to see there was nonetheless room for an outlandish V8 monitor weapon.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to drive the common AMG GT earlier this 12 months and it was an absolute riot, so I can solely think about how exhilarating it could be to pilot this 618kW, aero-heavy particular version round a circuit.
Solely 30 shall be made, every carrying a price ticket of roughly $1.2 million.
Mercedes-Benz swung and missed with its new GLC EV, however this was definitely a pleasant distraction.
William Stopford: BMW iX3
Sorry if that is turning right into a little bit of a BMW lovefest, however it was refreshing to see the Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X idea make the transition to manufacturing car just about unchanged.
BMW design has been contentious of late, and never in the way in which it was underneath Chris Bangle when it was blazing new paths for higher or worse. As an alternative, there’s been a variety of huge grilles and cut up headlights – hardly distinctive design components, and no person may accuse an iX or 7 Collection of being fairly.
Now alongside comes the primary of BMW’s Neue Klasse EVs with a design language that’s engaging, trendy, and with simply the correct amount of retro components.
Simply take a look at the distinction between this and the rival Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Expertise. The Benz admittedly is far better-looking than earlier electrical SUVs from the model, and the brand new grille design is a nod to its traditional grilles, however already the iX3 competitor appears a bit… acquainted. And Mercedes’ newfound obsession with star-shaped particulars is gauche.
What excites me essentially the most in regards to the iX3 is that it means the Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse sedan idea also needs to make the transition to manufacturing car uncorrupted. And that’s nice, as a result of that’s one bloody handsome idea.
Damion Smy: Cupra Tindaya idea
I like many of the BMW iX3, however the Cupra Tindaya idea is a automobile that oozes ardour and pleasure, and exhibits the Czech model’s designers are having a ball.
You may sense the passion and after-hours work concerned right here, simply by this factor’s haunches.
It’s not paradigm-shifting or particularly distinctive as a design, however in a world of generic SUVs, the Tindaya is refreshingly playful and juvenile in the very best approach.
MORE: Cupra Tindaya idea factors to sporty model’s design future
Max Davies: Skoda Imaginative and prescient O Idea
Other than Audi, Skoda is among the solely European manufacturers to have remained dedicated to wagons in Australia.
That’s why the Imaginative and prescient O is reassuring for followers of those sensible automobiles, because it exhibits Skoda not solely needs to maintain the wagon alive, however can be eager to make it some extent of distinction in an more and more electrified world.
We don’t know powertrain specs, however we perceive the Imaginative and prescient O shall be totally electrical when it will definitely enters manufacturing – most likely because the next-generation Octavia wagon – which might be a propulsion/physique model combo that’s nonetheless fairly uncommon.
I’m a fan of the Imaginative and prescient O’s look too. It appears to have efficiently grafted a futuristic tackle Skoda’s iconic design language onto a very contemporary physique form, and whereas a variety of that can most likely change by the point it reaches showrooms, the design of the brand new Elroq and Enyaq is an effective signal of what may eventuate.
If that is the route Skoda’s automobiles are headed, it’ll be a logical and welcome evolution.
MORE: Property lovers rejoice! Skoda’s newest idea exhibits wagons aren’t useless but
