The CarExpert team’s picks from the Munich motor show

Goodbye Frankfurt, hello Munich.

This 12 months’s IAA Mobility – also often called the Munich motor show – served as a launchpad for plenty of brand-shaping electric cars.

From the Volkswagen ID. GTI to the BMW Neue Klasse – with a healthy serving of recent metal from Cupra, Mercedes-Benz, and even Tesla thrown in – it’s clear the standard motor show hasn’t quite died off just yet.

Listed below are the cars that caught the CarExpert team’s eye from the show.

Alborz Fallah (from the show floor): Tesla Model 3

As someone who was in Munich this week, I first wish to indicate how disappointing the show was. In comparison with what Frankfurt was prior to now, the Munich mobility show was mainly a trade show with OEMs like Mercedes-Benz mustering just two cars on the show itself – and BMW not having a much larger display either.

The issue was the event itself is not any longer a show for the media or the world, it was a show for the people of Munich with multiple locations throughout the town. Also, the emphasis on having technology players heavily presented appeared like a wannabe CES with none of the wow factor.

Overall, in the event you asked me to rate the show, I’d give it 2/10… at best.

Now as to one of the best automobile from the show, the BMW Neue Klasse vision was definitely up there by way of daring, new-age designs, but the alternatives were pretty rattling limited. It was either that, the brand new Cupra, or the electrical GTI, and so they are all worthy of a mention.

Nonetheless, essentially the most interesting thing I saw was the updated Tesla Model 3, which was hiding behind a rope with a really annoying Tesla worker standing right in front of it and refusing to maneuver. I actually have seen dealer lots which have been presented higher. It could as well have been left in a parking lot.

Nonetheless, the rationale it was interesting probably tells you every little thing you could know in regards to the show as a complete, but it surely was mainly since it was one in all the only a few cars that was latest and real relatively than an idea of what’s to return.

Shame it still doesn’t have a head-up display, but I’m looking forward to seeing the less-ugly Model 3s on the road soon.

To complete, if I had to listen to another German automobile executive tell us just how much they care about sustainability, I’d’ve thrown up. Please just stop, we get that you’ve got to do it, we get that the regulations are forcing your hand, however the insincerity of attempting to make it sound such as you personally care and all of your customers are desperately asking for ‘zero emission mobility’ is difficult to stomach.

I actually have never heard so many buzzwords and unnecessary woke-ism in my life.

Paul Maric (from the show floor): Cupra DarkRebel

Unlike resident Tesla-lover Alborz, who selected the Model 3 as his pick of the show, my pick was the Cupra DarkRebel.

Should you discount the very fact Cupra calls itself a fledgling startup (it does it with a straight face, as a startup with the backing of one in all the world’s biggest automobile corporations and a litany of platforms to choose from), it’s setting and running with a brand image that brings a much younger buyer into the fold.

Its research suggests its buyers are significantly younger than a typical Volkswagen buyer, and consequently it must spawn products off group platforms that exude that young vibe.

The DarkRebel does that. We discovered it can be likely based on the upcoming Porsche Boxster/Cayman platform and that it’ll be priced well under €100,000. While it obviously won’t look exactly just like the concept, Cupra has a habit of releasing production cars that look rattling close. So let’s hope it will possibly pull through and make it occur.

I do agree with Alborz “Model 3” Fallah though on one thing – this was a weird show. Typically we’d be used to doing 20,000 steps a day at a motor show going between stands for interviews and getting content, but it surely’s a distinct vibe now.

Show cars are pulled from the ground after the media day and placed in Munich’s city centre. It was actually an amazing setup within the sense that you possibly can walk through the town and stumble across a large Mercedes-Benz or Volkswagen stand and explore at leisure. It’s almost comical to think they used to charge punters to go to a motor show.

However the show itself is only a trade show and a little bit of a yawn fest. So joke’s on the protesters that submerged automobile parts within the lake in protest out front of the show halls – because no one was actually there to see it.

Scott Collie: Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept

I like a hot hatch, and Volkswagen knows more about making a very good one than most.

It’s time for a reset of the GTI badge, though. Once upon a time it stood for the top of reasonably priced performance within the Volkswagen line-up, but in 2023 it lives within the shadow of the R and GTX monikers.

The ID. GTI represents a likelihood to begin again. Based on the ID.2all concept, the GTI will hit production in 2027.

When it does, it may very well be the automobile to revive the GTI name as one which represents reasonably priced, enjoyable cars for the everyman to drive on daily basis.

I wasn’t on the show floor, however the short list of cars on this story is disappointing. One production automobile, and three electric concepts – one in all which isn’t due for 4 years, and one in all which doesn’t have a launch date in any respect.

Jade Credentino: Cupra DarkRebel

I’m going with the Cupra DarkRebel.

That is the brand new dark side to Cupra and I’m here from it.

It’s out of the box and really low to the bottom that are two things I normally run away from, but I’m quite having fun with it this time around.

The infotainment system is what I believe I like most. It has the choice to have three modes depending in your mood.

There may be a performance race mode that may track lap times and real-time track position, a mode that displays futuristic graphics and a 3D customisable avatar, and my favourite – a mode that allows you to interact with Cupra’s Metaverse!

I’m very excited to see a type of this go into production.

William Stopford: BMW Vision Neue Klasse

The Vision Neue Klasse concept is a promising sign for BMW’s design language.

It boasts crisp lines, an airy greenhouse, and attractive detailing, and also you’d scarcely think this was from the identical company that brought us the iX and XM.

I’m genuinely surprised many observers have still criticised the Vision Neue Klasse, at the same time as so many have praised it – something that couldn’t be said for, say, the XM Label Red.

High beltlines, fussy creasing and oversized BMW grilles are so often pilloried, but this neat sedan has none of those.

It sure looks like BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec is smarting from criticism of the gauche iX and XM, arguing Chris Bangle also earned the ire of the general public with models just like the E60 5 Series which have ended up ageing quite well.

I still don’t think those BMWs will age in addition to Bangle’s models, but Dukec has begun to redeem himself as design boss by signing off on the Vision Neue Klasse concept. Let’s hope the production version is little modified, and that more BMWs follow this direction.

Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept

Surprise surprise… Wongy selected the Volkswagen.

The ID. GTI is greater than only a design study, it’s a commitment from Volkswagen that its electric future should stay true to the fun and attainable roots that made its hot hatches cult heroes.

I used to be already thoroughly impressed by the ID.2all Concept before it, which was a return to form for VW, and this ID. GTI concept gives me greater confidence that even the brand’s cheaper upcoming EVs can have so much to supply.

Here’s hoping the 2027 production model (jeez that looks like ages away still) retains the racy looks of the concept and delivers on the brand’s promise for fun and reasonably priced performance EVs.

Tony Crawford: BYD Seal U, MG Cyberster, Volkswagen ID. GTI

It’s a giant clap for the BYD Seal U and MG Cyberster designed to shake up the electrical automobile establishment.

But for absolute showstopper status I’m torn between the BMW Vision Neue Klasse for its Tesla-killing overtures and Volkswagen’s ID. GTI since it looks so rattling good. 

Ultimately, I’m a sucker for the all-electric GTI. 

Jack Quick: BMW Vision Neue Klasse

If I had to choose my favourite automobile that was revealed at this 12 months’s Munich motor show, I’d need to go along with the BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept.

I’m really thankful this latest BMW concept automobile that previews an electrical 3 Series-sized sedan looks nothing just like the blobby (yet aerodynamic) Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class.

One in all my favourite parts in regards to the Vision Neue Klasse concept is its three-box design exterior that’s each retro and futuristic at the identical time. I also appreciate the Hofmeister Kink is on proud display, unlike the present 3 Series.

I’m looking forward to how this idea automobile translates into real life as a production model. I’m especially keen to see its interior and whether the full-width head-up display is a worthy alternative for a correct digital instrument cluster.