Munich motor show 2021: all the new cars on show
First Munich running of the International Mobility Show is set to see several major model reveals
The International Mobility Show in September, held in Munich for the first time, will be the first full-scale motor show held in Europe since the pandemic took hold, so we are expecting to get our long- awaited first look at several important new models.
Mercedes-Benz looks set to dominate proceedings with no fewer than five high-profile debuts, but other European manufacturers will be out in force.
The International Mobility Show will take place alongside the Munich motor show, where more than 1000 exhibitors and speakers will present innovations and concepts for the future of mobility. Over 100 technologies are expected to receive a world debut, with new developments in mobility presented, along with the path to a climate-neutral future and advances in digitisation.
"The IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich will be the largest and most modern mobility event in the world and is a perfect fit at a time when Europe has set out to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Traffic plays a major role in this scenario," said Jürgen Mindel, managing director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), organiser of the IAA Mobility.
"We are already uniting the sectors – automotive, digital, bicycle and urban planning – that will belong together in the future. We will present new concepts and invite visitors to debate on the right path to a climate-neutral future,” Mindel said.
Here's a first look at the most important models we'll see at our first in-person motor show for nearly two years.
*ACM City One*
The ACM City One will be a German-built, electric microcar that will be sold for a low price en masse. The start-up firm recently agreed a partnership with Magna International, a global parts manufacturer, to develop the model. The firm has been developing the City One for eight years and says the car will have an interchangeable battery and space for up to five people.
At an expected price of €10,000 to €15,000 (£8562 to £12,843), it is expected to sell predominantly to the fleet sector, including taxi and leasing companies in Asia and Africa. The City One can also be used as a small commercial vehicle and has a cargo bay of up to 1450 litres, with enough space to carry replacement batteries. The firm claims documents have been signed for the sale of 208,000 cars, with a total sales value of over €3 billion.
“As a unique vehicle, the ACM City One is one which requires a unique approach to serial production. Magna’s engineering expertise is perfectly suited in bringing to fruition - on a mass scale - the ecosystem of this specialised vehicle, from the adaptive structure through to the operation systems,” ACM said.
*New ACM City One is battery-swapping urban EV*
*Audi Grand Sphere concept*
Exclusively previewed by Autocar last month, the Grand Sphere concept is Audi’s vision for an all- electric and highly autonomous successor to today’s A8 luxury saloon. Developed under the ‘Landjet’ codename by Audi’s Project Artemis division, the Munich-bound concept will be the first of three ‘Sphere’ concepts Audi will show in the next year as a preview of flagship models with level- four autonomous capabilities.
*Audi Grand Sphere concept to preview luxury A8 successor*
*Audi RS3*
Audi’s hyper-hatch returns with some aggressive design changes, five-pot power and an overhauled four-wheel drive system. The model is available to order now, but has yet to make a public appearance, with Munich set in its sights. The RS3 packs 395bhp and enhanced dynamics over the old car courtesy of its new torque-splitter device, which can be configured in a dedicated Drift mode.
*New 2021 Audi RS3 touches down with 395bhp for £50,900*
*Audi Skysphere*
The Audi Skysphere was teased at the Monterey Car Week, the firm’s shape-shifting, self-driving Skysphere concept. A large two-door convertible, it was developed around the principles of level four autonomy, meaning it can drive unaided on roads equipped with the necessary infrastructure. It has a rear-mounted motor that sends 624bhp and 553lb ft of torque to the rear wheels only for a 0-62mph time of 4.0sec.
*Audi Skysphere concept is shape-shifting, self-driving roadster*
*Cupra Born*
Munich will mark the first public showing of the long-awaited Cupra Born, as the firm moves into the all-electric market. The Volkswagen ID 3 rival will be available with between 150bhp and 231bhp and offer a range of up to 335 miles. It’s almost technically identical and closely related visually to the ID 3 but brings some slight design and performance changes, according to Cupra, along with a distinctive “dynamic character”.
R&D boss Werner Tietz also promised the Born will offer a distinct driving experience compared with its VW Group siblings: "We have invested a lot of time in tuning the chassis, steering and powertrain. We will offer the car with DCC in combination with ESC Sport and a lower ride height - 50mm at the front and 10mm at the rear, which gives a nice feeling for the car,” the firm said.
*New 2021 Cupra Born: EV hot hatch prepares for imminent launch*
*Cupra UrbanRebel*
It has been previewed in a series of teaser images, but little is known about the UrbanRebel apart from it being the first Seat-Cupra vehicle on the Volkswagen Group's forthcoming MEB Entry platform. A compact crossover, it’s rumoured that the concept will be roughly the size of the Seat Arona and will be twinned with the Volkswagen ID 2, which is also tipped to be revealed in concept form at the Munich show.
The teaser image shows a large rear wing with a built-in LED, showing the vehicle's motorsport intentions. Cupra said it has chosen to preview the vehicle as a race car because "racing is a key part of Cupra's DNA". The teaser image is the first confirmation that the machine will be launched under the Cupra brand, rather than as a Seat.
Cupra bosses are aiming for a target price of around £17,000 for the new machine, and the VW Group intends to base production of all the MEB Entry models, likely to include Skoda and Audi versions as well, at Seat's plant near Barcelona if a deal can be reached with the Spanish government.
*Cupra UrbanRebel concept to preview 2025 compact EV*
*Dacia seven-seater*
Dacia will unveil a “versatile seven-seater family car” at Munich, unrelated to the large Bigster SUV that will crown the line-up when it arrives by 2025. It is thought that the unnamed new model will serve as a replacement for the Lodgy MPV, previously not sold in the UK, and it is likely to follow the Sandero hatchback onto parent company Renault’s newer CMF-B architecture, which would pave the way for a hybrid option.
*Mercedes-Benz EQE*
The EQE is due on sale in 2022 with an EQS-aping silhouette, E-Class practicality and a price that positions it as a direct rival to the Tesla Model S. Based on the same aluminium-intensive EVA architecture as Stuttgart’s larger, luxury-oriented electric flagship, it will offer more cabin space than its combustion- engined E-Class counterpart, courtesy of its flat floors and short overhangs.
A variation of the brand’s new Hyperscreen infotainment display – spanning the width of the dashboard – is also tipped to feature. The model will spawn an EQE-badged SUV in 2022, positioned similarly to today’s GLE.
*Mercedes-Benz EQE: EV E-Class equivalent hits the 'Ring*
*Mercedes-AMG EQG*
Merc's EQ onslaught extends to its longest-serving model, with the all-conquering G-Class to receive a fully electric variant in 2024. The 'EQG' will be previewed with a concept at the Munich show, but we're not anticipating that it will look much different from the combustion car that's on sale today. Naysayers may be swayed by the promise of improved off-road ability, vastly reduced fuel costs and no doubt boosted on-road refinement.
*Mercedes primes luxury EQG electric G-Class 4x4*
*Mercedes-AMG EQS*
AMG will take the EQ flagship as the basis for its first EV and create a spiritual successor to the V12-powered S65, with output ramped up significantly beyond the standard car’s 516bhp and 631lb ft. Expect a bespoke grille, flared arches and large-diameter wheels as part of the AMG styling package, along with lower suspension and beefier brakes to lend the large saloon some sporting credentials. AMG’s first wave of EVs is expected to offer performance on a par with the current 53-badged cars, rather than the full-fat 63 models, but the hot EQS should still provide sufficient pace to rival the Porsche Taycan.
*Mercedes EQS: electric luxury limo to spawn AMG version*
*Mercedes-AMG GT 73e*
The Mercedes-AMG GT 73e was previewed in a social media post and will be the first in a series of new plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG models. The firm’s new range-topper, powered by an uprated version of the GT 63’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine mated to an electric motor, is said to provide a “significant” performance boost of 201bhp and 268lb ft, for a total output figure of over 800bhp.
The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid rival will command a premium over the non-electrified GT 63, with prices likely to start upwards of £150,000. It will also be a spiritual successor to the AMG’s debut model, the 300CE Hammer, which helped forge the firm's reputation as a builder of uprated large saloons with supercar pace.
*Mercedes-AMG to show 800bhp GT63 PHEV at Munich*
*Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV*
Previewed as part of Mercedes’ recent electrification strategy presentation, the EQS SUV will be a luxury-focused BMW iX rival and break cover first in top-rung Maybach guise, most likely in concept form at the Munich show.
It will play a vital role in the long-heralded rebirth of Stuttgart’s luxury division and will give strong hints as to how Maybach-badged models will be differentiated from their mainstream counterparts. Expect the EQS SUV to have styling heavily influenced by the lower-slung EQS saloon inside and out, and for the Maybach version to lean even more heavily on premium- focused materials, styling cues and technology.
*New Mercedes EQE saloon, EQE SUV and EQS SUV confirmed*
*Mobilize Limo*
A new model from the Renault Group mobility brand will make its debut. A subscription-only D-segment model, the Mobilize Limo is a four-door saloon measuring 4670mm long and is powered by a 147bhp and 162lb ft electric motor. It'll offer a 0-62mph time of 9.6sec and a governed top speed of 87mph, along with a claimed range of 280 miles from a 60kWh lithium ion battery, which can be charged on both AC and DC systems.
The Limo has been designed specifically for use in private hire and other mobility fleets, with a focus on durability, ease of use and rear passenger space, and is expected to go on sale in 2022.
*New Mobilize Limo is electric saloon designed for private hire use*
*Porsche concept*
Previewed with a single close-up image of a headlight, Porsche says it is “looking to the future” with the “world premiere of a future-oriented concept study.” No further details were added, but the LED headlights feature a distinctive design that hasn't previously been seen on any Porsche. The term "concept study" suggests that the model is likely to be some form of forward-looking, brand-shaping design, rather than closely previewing a forthcoming production car.
*Porsche to reveal "future-oriented" concept at Munich motor show*
*Renault Mégane E-Tech*
Destined for dealerships in 2022, Renault’s first electric SUV will square up to the Skoda Enyaq and the Kia e-Niro with 215bhp and a competitive WLTP-certified range of 280 miles. The Mégane E-Tech sits atop the same CMF-EV platform as its Nissan Ariya sibling, which means that a four-wheel-drive performance range-topper, with more power and a bigger battery, could eventually follow the front-driven car onto the market.
*New 2022 Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric is 280-mile EV*
*Smart SUV *
Urban EV manufacturer Smart will make its first motor show appearance under the joint ownership of Mercedes and Chinese auto giant Geely, which also owns LEVC, Lotus, Volvo and Polestar. Codenamed HX11, the Smart concept on show will preview the EV-only brand’s first SUV model, which will arrive in production form in 2022.
Preview images hint at an all-new design approach for the premium-focused five-seat crossover and leaked technical figures from China suggest it will use a 268bhp rear-mounted motor and a 70kWh battery for an NEDC range of 311 miles.
*Smart electric SUV will show off brand's premium ambition*
*Volkswagen ID 5 GTX*
The latest arrival in Volkswagen’s ID line-up, the ID 5 GTX is the sport-suited version of the firm’s largest SUV, positioned just above the ID 4. The model is set to appear as a prototype, arriving hot on the heels of the ID 3 family hatchback and the ID 4 SUV, on which it’s largely based. It’s a sibling car to the Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback and Skoda Enyaq iV, alongside which it will be produced at Volkswagen’s dedicated EV factory in Zwickau, Germany, from early 2022.
*First drive: 2021 Volkswagen ID 5 GTX prototype review*
*Volkswagen Polo GTI*
Volkswagen's small hatchback will return in GTI form with a new look, sporting model design inspiration drawn from the eighth-generation Golf extending to a new front end, complete with the brand’s new light bar signature, and a revamped rear. The front-wheel-drive Polo will be driven by Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and torque is capped at 236lb ft at 1500-4500rpm, which helps make the GTI capable of dispatching 0-62mph in 6.5sec. There's still no word on that manual gearbox, though…
*Volkswagen Polo GTI returns for 2021 with new look, 204bhp*
*Volkswagen Taigo *
Volkswagen's first European-market SUV-coupé is the Taigo, a crossover closely related to the Polo and the T-Cross. The car, which has been on sale for a year already as the Nivus in South America, will make its European debut at the motor show largely unchanged, save for a series of tweaks aimed at bringing it into line with the brand's range here. The Taigo is exclusively front driven and petrol powered. Two engines are available from launch: a turbocharged three-pot producing either 94bhp or 109bhp and a four-cylinder that makes 148bhp.
*New 2021 Volkswagen Taigo is style-focused T-Cross sibling*
*READ MORE*
*Frankfurt motor show will relocate to Munich in 2021*
*Smart electric SUV will show off brand's premium ambition*
*Audi Grand Sphere concept to preview luxury A8 successor*