Ever since the pandemic hit the world, several global events have been postponed or cancelled. Among them was the 2020 IAA Mobility, the highly publicized auto show which has traditionally been hosted by Frankfurt for the past seventy years.
But now, with the world gradually returning to the old normal, a reinvented version of the event was held in Munich on September 7, 2021, the first automotive show to be held since the pandemic. Needless to say, it wasn’t without some welcome twists!
Revamped to showcase a range of vehicles from e-bikes, electric buses and transportation pods to cars and even trams, the show was a huge success, a crisp answer to the critics and automakers who were questioning the relevance of auto shows until a little while ago.
Despite popular companies like Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bently, and McLaren dropping out of it, several other major manufacturers attended the event at significant historical places in Munich, including the Bayerische Staatsoper opera house and Gargantuan conventional hall.
Here’s a quick look at some of the finest cars that were showcased at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich this year.
The company kicked off its 47 billion-dollar effort to push its consumers towards electric models by unveiling five battery-powered cars and a hybrid. First was the EQE, which is a follow-up to the EQS Sedan that’s been in the market for the past month. The EQS is smaller, less expensive as compared to the other models and is expected to bolster the company’s sales.
The company further revealed the EQG, a concept electric SUV, which is Mercedes’s latest take on the iconic Gelaendewagen that has got a black panel with an illuminated three-pointed star and round headlights.
When questioned about the focus on EVs, Mercedes responded that it was only logical for them to put all of their efforts to this end, for there will be an increase in confidence in electric power as the world moves into a new era. And anyways, new technology is always interesting to the luxury customer. Couldn’t agree more!
BMW announced that it would double its battery cell orders, while unveiling the production version of its i4 and iX electric cars, in addition to several electric motorcycles.
The highlight of BMW’s proposals was the I Vision Circular pod that’s made from recycled, unpainted aluminum, steel and other metals. This was used to show what BMW could be like 20 years down the line.
Porsche too revealed an electric car, the Mission R, that’s all about driving fast. It’s a concept based on the company’s imagination of what a racer would feel like when powered by electric batteries.
The Mission R is somewhat similar to the Porsche Cayman in size, sporting a roll cage and a single seat. While the company seems excited about the model, it hasn’t been cleared by FIA racing, and currently, it’s not legal on the road.
Nevertheless, once the car is approved, it is most likely to go into production in 2024. In addition to e-fuels, hybrids and fast charging, this car is supposedly a significant part of Porsche’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Most automakers fared well in showcasing their plans amidst the approaching experiment on electrifying mobility in Europe. According to studies, by 2040, the sales of electric cars in Germany will reach 3.4 million annually. Keeping that in mind, looking out for upcoming technologies and concepts by the automobile industry would be a wise call.
