Top 10 Standouts At The 2021 Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung Auto Show

First time in Munich after 70 years in Berlin, the 2021 Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) or the IAA Mobility exhibits an amazing line-up of vehicles from numerous makers.

The auto show focuses on electrification and Munich’s most interesting concepts, and this is CariCarz’s list of top 10 standouts.

First is the BMW i Vision Circular Concept. This subcompact hatchback is slightly larger than BMW’s current i3 EV. 

Although quite small, it still offers a spacious cabin thanks to its electric motor and battery pack that doesn’t take up much space.

Dubbed as ‘Circular’, it refers to the circle of life for the components, which are 100 percent recyclable, including the solid-state battery. 

Interestingly, it is built with an unpainted aluminium body that gets the BMW logo etched into the metal rather than a glued-on plastic badge.

Also, to make recycling simpler, the construction uses quick-release fasteners, cords and press studs instead of bonded or riveted components. 

Some of the concept’s attributes may appear sooner, around 2025, in the next iteration of BMW’s New Class (Neue Klasse) line-up of EVs. 

Second is the Mercedes EQB Electric SUV. Its familiar outlook is due to it being a fully-electrified version of the existing GLB Class crossover.

It is a compact machine with a length of 4,673 mm that offers a similar optional third row seating just like the GLB.  

Initially there will be all-wheel-drive EQBs sporting 66.5-kWh batteries and 168 kW or 215 kW motors, followed by a front-drive model and finally a long-range version.

Notably, the EQB is likely to be one of the first and most affordable Mercedes-Benz EVs to reach consumers.

Third is the Mercedes-Benz EQG. The square-rigged, iconic Mercedes-Benz G Class off-roader goes electric in this version.

As seen, it will have the same and rugged suspension with independent in front and solid axle at the rear that allows for serious off-road driving, but now with some modern EV tricks. 

Even Though Mercedes did not disclose all of the drivetrain details, the brand claimed that there would be four electric motors with one driving each wheel. 

Classic styling cues are still there e.g., boxy body, big door handles and side trims, and a big spare-tire carrier on the tailgate which is now square in shape and for storage, including charging cable.

Differences are significant too, as in the grille has illuminated blue elements, the Mercedes star is illuminated, and the grille surround and the two round headlamps have lit white borders. 

Mercedes says the price will probably be in keeping with the traditional G Class, which starts in the $130,000 (RM 545,025) range.

Coming in fourth is the Volkswagen ID.Life Crossover. This is VW’s concept for a future subcompact production vehicle that will be smaller than both the ID.4 compact crossover and the ID.3 hatchback. 

The smartly-styled ID.Life will sport a 231 hp electric motor and a 57-kWh battery, which VW claims will return up to 249 miles (401 km) on the European WLTP cycle.

Inside, the concept has a built-in projector, a translucent grille and a steering wheel with the top third cut off.

Next on the list is the Audi Grandsphere Concept, which Audi described as ‘A private jet for the road’. A production version is said to be ready in 2025 or 2026.

Portraying a long, low and sleek silhouette, it is bigger than the sporty Audi Skysphere that debuted at the Monterey Car Week in August.

Furthermore, the Grandsphere is also a platform for Audi’s vision of autonomous operation, with a steering wheel that retracts into the wraparound dashboard, suggesting Level 4 autonomous driving.

Interior wise, the dashboard is flat with no buttons or touchscreen, instead, information is projected on the dash and an eye-tracker sees what information the driver is looking at.

Sixth is Porsche’s Mission R concept. The Porsche Mission R is a fully electric vehicle that is built purely for racing. 

Porsche says the Mission R can produce 671 hp in racing mode and 1,073 hp in qualifying mode, with separate electric motors front and rear. That translates to a 0 - 100 km/h time of 2.5 seconds. 

Power comes from a 90-kWh battery that is good for 30 - 45 minutes of racing and the Mission R recharges from a 900-volt system with a recharge from 5 percent to 80 percent in just 15 minutes.

Currently, the Mission R is a functioning prototype and not for production, but Porsche suggests a customer-available racer might be ready by 2026. 

Seventh is the Smart Concept #1, which is a combined venture between Daimler and China’s Geely. This new Smart car will be built in China, fully electrified and is Smart’s largest-ever vehicle. 

Standing at 4,293 mm long, it is on par with the Mini Countryman, with a round, almost Lucid-like styling.

Aside from having a 12.8-inch touchscreen, Smart also claims the Concept will have the ‘highest level of dynamic handling’. 

Ranking in at number eight is the City Transformer that is a standout at the Munich auto show for its shape-shifting design versatility. 

Speaking of which, living up to its name, the City Transformer can expand its width on demand for a bit more comfort.

Under compact mode, four of them can fit in one parking spot. In City Mode, it has a width of 1,000 mm, while in Performance Mode, it expands up to 1,400 mm.

The Tel Aviv-based company claims it has a top speed of 90 km/h, range of 120 to 180 km and an unchanging length of 2,500mm.

Number nine is the Mini Vision Urbanaut. This is a re-launch of the 2020 EV concept, which unlike last year Mini hinted this time around that the Urbanaut may be headed toward production.

A rounded minivan-like machine, the Urbanaut concept features sofa-style seating inside and a steering wheel that hides away when it’s driven autonomously. 

Mini claims it’s ‘immediately identifiable as a Mini’, despite its futuristic outlook and overall functionalities.

Topping it all off is the 2021 Dacia Jogger. Not every Munich debut was all about electrification and Dacia’s Jogger stands out amongst the crowd. 

Dacia’s new Jogger is the brand’s largest SUV yet and it is offered with an option for three-row seating. Plus, there is also a roof rack that is essential for family travel.

This new Jogger will start at about $18,000 (RM 75,465), which would be an extremely attractive pricing for small SUVs with off-road abilities.

All in all, Germany’s first ever auto show since the pandemic lockdown showcased a great line-up, and automakers have debuted many iterations of what the future might hold for vehicles.