Who said motor shows – at least those outside of China – were dead?
This year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich featured a host of major reveals, not only from German brands but also the likes of Hyundai (the Three concept) and Leapmotor (the B05 electric hatch).
Mercedes-Benz showed off a radically different electric SUV with its GLC with EQ Technology, while Porsche revealed the ultimate version of its current 911 in the Turbo S.
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The Volkswagen Group also displayed camouflaged versions of the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval electric vehicles (EVs), plus near production-ready versions of its Volkswagen ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq electric SUVs.
See? Pretty eventful. But here are the cars we at CarExpert found the most exciting.
Alborz Fallah: BMW iX3
The new iX3 is absolutely stunning in person and that interior would put Bentley on notice.
With 800km of range, if BMW Australia can land it for a similar price to its predecessor’s and get the word out, the new iX3 should build on the success of its other i models and become a certain winner.
On the whole, I also give massive kudos to BMW for its commitment to releasing 40 new or updated models incorporating ground-breaking Neue Klasse technology as seen in the iX3 by 2027. Whether they’re EV or ICE, they will all get the same technology treatment.
As BMW bosses told us, you fall in love with a BMW first, then pick the powertrain that suits you. And there should he no compromise whether it’s an EV or not.
This really feels like the new era for BMW dominance.
MORE: 2026 BMW iX3: Clean-sheet mid-size electric SUV lands in Australia next year
Marton Pettendy: Audi Concept C
Fresh from axing its entire sports car range including the brilliant R8 super coupe and spyder, the sexy TT coupe and roadster, and the sleek A5 coupe and cabriolet, Audi has now previewed the performance car that will effectively replace all of those two-door models within two years.
And it says the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive two-seat roadster will remain faithful to the slinky but minimalist Concept C when it reaches showrooms in 2027, including the electrically folding hardtop roof – a first for the German brand – that turns it into a coupe at the push of a button.
The only problem is that, like the next-generation Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman twins upon which it may be based, it will be all-electric.
So even if Audi delivers on its promises of a sub-1700kg kerb weight and ultra-rapid charging thanks to its 800V electrical system, it may not be the driver’s car the glorious V10-powered R8 was.
MORE: Sleek Audi Concept C previews German brand’s next sports car
Paul Maric: BMW iX3
Now this is what I’m talking about.
I’m sick of the generic procession of boring cars coming out from the Germans. They are addicted to rolling out car after car that looks just the same as the next.
The iX3 dares to be different and completely overhauls the concept of an electric SUV for BMW – and for the entire mid-size premium SUV segment.
Apart from a recent batch of Chinese car companies announcing new engineering and technology concepts, this is one of the first press releases I actually read in depth to see what BMW had done.
I really can’t wait to drive it. As long as it doesn’t botch the pricing, BMW will have a real chance of fending off the litany of new players that have flooded the market.
Ben Zachariah: Renault Clio
It’s been five years since the Renault Clio was dropped from the company’s Australian lineup. But while Renault’s Australian arm has pivoted to offer a range of SUVs – including the Megane E-Tech, Koleos, Arkana, and the spunky new Duster – the Clio has continued to be sold in Europe, where the city-friendly hatch has cemented itself as the most popular French car ever made, despite only debuting in 1990.
The latest unveiling reminds us that small hatchbacks not only still exist in the world, but that they matter. As the world continues its addiction to ever larger and heavier SUVs, the reality is most people don’t need anything more than a small car as their primary method of transportation.
What’s more, the new Renault Clio looks damn 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 electric R17 restomod concept.
The new Clio is riding that wave of cool which seems to be sweeping across the company, combining sharp, aggressive, and darkened design elements with the classic shape of a city hatchback. It may sit a little higher – perhaps in an attempt to steal back some of the SUV converts – but the new version still sits on the same CMF-B HS platform, shared with Nissan, as its predecessor.
But there’s one thing about the Renault Clio announcement that should be headline news: the new-generation hatch will be offered with a manual transmission. Even if it’s unlikely the Clio will make its way back to Australian showrooms, any company still offering a manual transmission to the world should be celebrated. Viva la Clio!
MORE: 2026 Renault Clio: Eye-catching new city hatch unveiled with improved hybrid
James Wong: BMW iX3
I have a lot of respect for car manufacturers that bring concept designs to production, and BMW has absolutely done that with the new iX3.
Not only does it look almost exactly like the Vision Neue Klasse X concept that previewed it, but it debuts the German marque’s all-new dedicated EV platform with next-generation drive systems and on-board technologies.
The claims are huge – over 800km of WLTP range, 400kW DC fast-charging – and the interior display tech looks to be on another level. Very impressive.
I’m looking forward to seeing more from BMW, in particular the inevitable revival of the i3 nameplate.
Josh Nevett: Mercedes-AMG GT2 Edition W16
At a show full of conservative EVs aimed at the mass market, it was pleasing to see there was still room for an outlandish V8 track weapon.
I was lucky enough to drive the regular AMG GT earlier this year and it was an absolute riot, so I can only imagine how exhilarating it would be to pilot this 618kW, aero-heavy special edition around a circuit.
Only 30 will be made, each wearing a price tag of roughly $1.2 million.
Mercedes-Benz swung and missed with its new GLC EV, but this was certainly a nice distraction.
William Stopford: BMW iX3
Sorry if this is turning into a bit of a BMW lovefest, but it was refreshing to see the Vision Neue Klasse X concept make the transition to production vehicle virtually unchanged.
BMW design has been contentious of late, and not in the way it was under Chris Bangle when it was blazing new paths for better or worse. Instead, there’s been a lot of big grilles and split headlights – hardly unique design elements, and nobody could accuse an iX or 7 Series of being pretty.
Now along comes the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse EVs with a design language that’s attractive, modern, and with just the right amount of retro elements.
Just look at the contrast between this and the rival Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology. The Benz admittedly is much better-looking than previous electric SUVs from the brand, and the new grille design is a nod to its classic grilles, but already the iX3 competitor looks a bit… familiar. And Mercedes’ newfound obsession with star-shaped details is gauche.
What excites me the most about the iX3 is that it means the Vision Neue Klasse sedan concept should also make the transition to production vehicle uncorrupted. And that’s great, because that is one bloody good-looking concept.
Damion Smy: Cupra Tindaya concept
I love most of the BMW iX3, but the Cupra Tindaya concept is a car that oozes passion and excitement, and shows the Czech brand’s designers are having a ball.
You can sense the enthusiasm and after-hours work involved here, just by looking at this thing’s haunches.
It’s not paradigm-shifting or especially unique as a design, but in a world of generic SUVs, the Tindaya is refreshingly playful and juvenile in the best possible way.
MORE: Cupra Tindaya concept points to sporty brand’s design future
Max Davies: Skoda Vision O Concept
Aside from Audi, Skoda is one of the only European brands to have remained committed to wagons in Australia.
That’s why the Vision O is reassuring for fans of these practical cars, as it shows Skoda not only wants to keep the wagon alive, but is also keen to make it a point of difference in an increasingly electrified world.
We don’t know powertrain specifications, but we understand the Vision O will be fully electric when it eventually enters production – probably as the next-generation Octavia wagon – which would be a propulsion/body style combo that’s still quite rare.
I’m a fan of the Vision O’s look too. It seems to have successfully grafted a futuristic take on Skoda’s iconic design language onto a completely fresh body shape, and while a lot of that will probably change by the time it reaches showrooms, the design of the new Elroq and Enyaq is a good sign of what could eventuate.
If this is the direction Skoda’s cars are headed, it’ll be a logical and welcome evolution.
MORE: Estate enthusiasts rejoice! Skoda’s latest concept shows wagons aren’t dead yet