The IAA Mobility Show in Munich came to a close Sunday, after revealing German automakers’ innovative ideas that will soon reach their showrooms. Here’s what they displayed.
2024 Audi Q8
Following the design update of the 2024 Q8 e-tron, Audi unveiled its newest update of the gas-powered 2024 Q8.
Revisions include a reworked grille, front spoiler, front air intakes, rear diffuser, rear taillamps, exhaust outlets and HD Matrix LED headlights with a laser high beam and changeable light profiles.
Inside, the cars remain mostly unchanged, although a software update enhances Audi’s MMI infotainment system to accept more third-party apps, such as Spotify and Amazon Music.
The drivelines carry over unchanged, which include 335-horsepower Q8 hybrid and 500-horsepower SQ8 both of which mate an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept
“We are not just writing the next chapter of BMW; we’re writing a whole new book,” said Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG of the brand’s newest concept vehicle.
BMW wants its Vision Neue Klasse idea to signal a new direction as the firm electrifies, much as the 1500 Neue Klasses did for the company in 1962. The Vision Neue Klasse concept, which is shaped to recall the original Neue Klasse, strips down to its design down to the minimal essentials but retains recognizable BMW design cues like a reverse slanted grille and Hofmeister kink. It’s a stark contrast to the brand’s current ham-fisted, overwrought EV styling. The Vision concept’s interior is incredibly sparse compared to modern BMWs, including simply a huge touchscreen set in the middle and a steering wheel. Leather and chrome are noticeably lacking as a result of BMW’s efforts to enhance its environmental reputation. Certainly, this new direction bodes well for the brand.
Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class
Mercedes-Benz is showcasing the battery-electric Concept CLA Class, a battery-electric sedan with a 466-mile WLTP range rating, after releasing a series of more expensive EVs.
Like the forthcoming battery-electric GLA/GLB crossovers and the CLA Class wagon, the Concept CLA-Class rides on the automaker’s new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). That said, don’t expect the one-piece glass roof and rear window and four bucket seats to make it to the production model, although the MBUX Superscreen, first seen in the Vision EQXX concept, most likely will. The CLA-Class sedan will be available in America as a 2025 model in a little over a year.
2025 Mini Cooper
A revamped Mini Cooper three-door hatchback retains its charm – and its circular headlights. But its new couture includes a redesigned octagonal grille and more streamlined body lines that simplify its appearance. The reworked rear taillamps still reference the Union Jack. Inside, the simplified instrument panel is reminiscent of the dashboard of the 1959 original Mini, but updated with a center-mounted infotainment OLED screen and toggle switches below it.
The 54-kWh hour battery in the Cooper SE produces 218 horsepower, 250 miles of range, and a 0-62 mph time of 6.7 seconds, while the 41-kWh hour battery in the base Mini Cooper E produces 184 horsepower and a WLTP range of 190 miles. No mention was made of a gas-powered model.
And in another first, the new model is being built in China, not England.
2025 Mini Countryman
The Mini Cooper Countryman receives a name change along with a fresh set of duds, and will now be known simply as the Mini Countryman the redesigned SUV reaches dealerships for 2025.
The third-generation Countryman is only available in electric form,like the 2025 Mini Cooper. With a WLTP range of 287 miles, the Countryman E’s 150-kW battery pack produces 204 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the Countryman SE ALL4 has a larger 230-kW battery pack that generates 313 horsepower, 364 pound-feet of torque, and offers a 269-mile range.
Styling is a little sharper than the Cooper, but retains its family look, despite the nearly rectangular headlights.
Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept
Forty-eight years after the first Golf GTI made its international premiere at the same show, the new Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept makes its introduction. The new GTI Concept is a touch wider and longer than the current GTI and is built on the same chassis as the ID. 2all concept, and wears 245/35 R20 Pirelli tires.
Its appearance leaves no doubt that it is a GTI. And it’s every bit as practical, with 17.3 cubic feet of cargo space, increasing to 47 cubic feet when the seats are folded.
Up front, the 10.9-inch digital gauge cluster can be configured to look like the gauges on the GTI Mark 2. A 12.9-inch infotainment screen, a head-up display, and two wireless smartphone chargers complete the tech package.
Volkswagen didn’t reveal any power or range estimates have not been confirmed, although it is still front-wheel drive. Some things never change – thank goodness.
2024 VW ID.4
Nothing looks different here, but looks can be deceiving. But the ID.4 gets new motors, ones used for the upcoming ID.7. SO, even though the 62-kWh battery pack for rear-wheel drive and the 82-kWh battery pack for all-wheel drive are unaltered, the rear-drive ID.4 now produces 282 horsepower, up from 201 horsepower, and the all-wheel-drive edition now has 330 horsepower, up from 295 horsepower.
Upper trim levels of the ID.4 will receive a new infotainment system that will be used in the forthcoming ID.7, with customizable shortcut controls at the top of the screen and climate controls at the bottom.
VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility is slated to start producing vehicles by year’s end, so it should still qualify for full federal tax credits.
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