This year's Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (for International Automobile Exhibition or IAA) was held in Munich, Germany. While most of the debuts at this year's event are vehicles intended for foreign markets, some models from Germany's big three – BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group – and other manufacturers will be heading to Canada.
Here's a roundup of highlights from this year's show that might be relevant for a Canadian audience.
BMW Vision Neue Klasse Concept
Harkening back to the 1960s New Class of cars that formed the recipe of modern BMWs, this year's Neue Vison Klasse Concept previews a total rethink of next-generation electric vehicles from the German automaker. Expect the compact four-door concept's styling, interior (previewing the latest iDrive infotainment), and EV drivetrain to influence a range of future all-electric BMW cars and SUVs. The first example is rumoured to be a BMW 3 Series-sized EV targeted at the updated Tesla Model 3.
2024 BMW 5 Series
After releasing preliminary info earlier this year, the eighth generation of BMW's iconic midsize 5 Series sedan made its public debut at the Munich show. While Canadians will only get the all-wheel drive 530i mild-hybrid or all-electric i5, Europeans will also receive the 530e and 550e plug-ins, plus various wagon body styles. As with many existing models, this generation of the 5 Series will reportedly be the last internal combustion-powered model.
Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class
The Concept CLA-Class teases an entirely new family of small Mercedes-Benz EVs. With a three-pointed star logo in the round headlights and taillights, a teardrop shape, and the latest-generation MBUX Hyperscreen (as found in the larger Mercedes-Benz EQS and EQE EV sedans), the CLA concept delivers a fresh look for the German brand. Mercedes claims the CLA's "next-generation" EV drivetrain has "more than 750 kilometres" of range. Driving enthusiasts can look forward to a dual-motor AMG performance version with over 530 horsepower and AWD.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All Terrain
For Subaru Outback buyers looking to upgrade, Mercedes-Benz also debuted in Munich the next generation of its E-Class All Terrain midsize wagon. Like its predecessor, the new E-Class hauler gets rugged exterior styling, raised ride height, and unique interior bits. In Europe, a revised range of drivetrains includes a new plug-in hybrid system with an electric range of up to 100 km. The off-road-ish Mercedes wagon's arrival date for Canada has yet to be confirmed, but it is due in Europe early next year.
2025 Mini Cooper Electric
Almost a decade since the current third generation of Mini Cooper arrived for 2014, the regeneration of the venerable Mini lineup starts with the debut of the new 2025 Mini Cooper Electric subcompact hatchback and larger Mini Countryman SUV. Mini's Munich show debuts are just the start of a thorough brand redefinition, soon to become EV-only. Unlike the existing Mini Electric, the new two-door hatch sits on a different platform (developed by a China-based joint venture between parent BMW and Great Wall Motor) than the forthcoming Cooper gas variants.
2025 Mini Countryman
Redesigned to take on the likes of small luxury SUVs like the Audi Q3, the new Mini Countryman shares a lot of mechanical bits and software bytes with the redesigned BMW X1. If you need to haul people and cargo, the new Mini SUV's rear seat and hatch areas are much larger than the previous generations, as seen with the new model above. Despite its larger proportions and added weight, Mini is keen to point out that the newest Countryman will have a "go-kart feeling" to its driving experience.
2025 Porche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid SUV & Coupe
After the launch of the third-generation Cayenne earlier this year, Porsche debuted the most powerful Cayenne ever: the Turbo E-Hybrid. With an electric motor and a twin-turbo gas V8, the midsize luxury SUV boasts 729 hp. The resulting performance is a non-SUV-like sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, reaching a top track speed of 295 km/h. A new onboard charger makes the Turbo E-Hybrid quick to recharge, too: less than 2.5 hours using a "suitable" charger.
2024 Tesla Model 3
With manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany, and China, Tesla is a truly global automaker. So it's big news when its most popular model, the Model 3 compact sedan, gets an update. Previously known as "Project Highland," the new foreign-market Model 3 gets a heavily revised front end that promises less aerodynamic drag to improve range and driving refinement at high speeds. Tesla hasn't made any announcement yet, but the Model 3's updates are expected to be replicated on its Model Y SUV sibling.
Volkswagen ID.GTI Concept
Based on VW's ID.2all entry-level EV concept revealed in March, the ID.GTI Concept is a hot-hatch version set to go into production. Classic VW GTI details (red grille surround, wheel arches, and plaid cloth seats) are present. Like the standard ID.2all, the GTI Concept's front-mounted electric motor powers the front wheels only. VW hasn't released any ID.GTI technical specs yet. But the production model was likely developed with its VW Group cousin, the Cupra Raval, and its claims of 226 hp, a 6.9-second zero-to-100-km/h time, and a range of around 440 km may be translated to the VW version.
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