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© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
© Haymarket Media -
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© Haymarket Media
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Motor shows are becoming increasingly less common in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic being a key factor in the demise of some of the large-scale automotive events.
Thankfully, not all motor shows have followed this trend and there are a few events that are still proving the go-to place for new car launches – and still going strong is the Munich motor show, which played host to some of the biggest car launches of 2023.
This year's event majored heavily on electrification, with established marques unveiling new electric car concepts and productions models showcasing the very latest technological and software developments. Here, we take a look at some of the most interesting electric cars that were revealed at this year's show.
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BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept
The German maque’s radical concept car showcases the brand’s future design language, which previews a dramatically overhauled exterior styling, bold new interior and infotainment and a super high-tech drivetrain.
BMW says the Neue Klasse doesn’t preview a future production car, but more specifically a whole line-up of saloons and SUVS that are due to arrive from 2025. Still, it's likely that the next-generation 3 series will be one of the first models to gain the brand new look and feature most of the Neue Klasse concept’s hallmarks.
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BYD Seal U
The electric SUV made its European debut at the Munich motor show, with the Chinese electric car brand confirming the Seal U would be sold in the UK. Sold in China as the Song Plus Champion Edition, the electric SUV is offered with a 71kWh and 87kWh batteries, with ranges between 323 and 376 miles (Chinese CLTC test cycle).
The Seal U is based on the same e-Platform 3.0 as the Seal saloon, which has a maximum charging speed of 150kW. Set to rival the Tesla Model Y, the new SUV will likely cost from around £45,000.
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Cupra DarkRebel
Taking the form of a two-seat electric GT, the DarkRebel is a radical departure from the brand’s current line-up of EVs, which includes the Cupra Born hatchback and inbound Tavascan SUV and Raval electric supermini.
So far the striking GT has only been shown in digital form, but showcased a physical version of the car for the first time at the Munich show. The DarkRebel could eventually join the Cupra range, and will likely be based on Volkswagen Group’s PPE electric platform.
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Cupra Tavascan
Strengthening the Cupra line-up is the Tavascan, a large coupe-style SUV which is set to arrive with a choice of powertrains, with the dual-motor, four-wheel drive model developing 335bhp and 501lb ft. The single-motor variant offers 282bhp, with power taken from a large 82kWh battery – the same as found in the Volkswagen ID 5. Range is up to 341 miles.
The Tavascan gets a large grille, its own triangular light feature and a rakish roofline for a sportier aesthetic.
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Mercedes Concept CLA
The bold concept CLA previous a future production version which is set to launch in the UK next year as a hi-tech replacement for the current generation Mercedes CLA. It brings a whole new look for the brand, with round LED headlights that features the Mercedes three-pointed-star logo.
According to Mercedes, the new CLA concept draws heavily on the seminal Vision EQXX concept unveiled last year, which could travel up to 747 miles on a single charge. The brand says the new CLA concept's powertrain is “ultra-efficient” and should offer a range of up to 466 miles.
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Mini Cooper Electric
Sitting on its own bespoke electric platform, the next-generation Mini Cooper (and Mini Countryman) kick-starts the British firm’s bold transition into an EV-only brand.
Two models will be available: the entry-level Cooper E and Cooper SE. The Cooper E is priced from £30,000 and gets a 181bhp front-mounted motor and a 40.7kWh battery, giving it a range of up to 190 miles. Topping the range is the Cooper SE, which gets a bigger 54.2kWh battery and 215bhp, giving a range of 250 miles.
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Mini Countryman
The new Countryman has grown in size for its third-generation, with the largest Mini in the British marques range set to arrive early next year, and will be offered with a choice of electric or petrol drivetrains.
Like the Cooper, the Countryman will be available with a choice of two electric powertrains: the single-motor, rear-wheel drive Electric E which develops 201bhp and the dual-motor Electric SE All4 which develops 309bhp. Both get a 64.7kWh battery, giving the Electric E a range of up to 287 miles, and the more powerful dual-motor model 269 miles. Both can be charged at up to 130kW.
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Renault Scenic
Drawing heavily on the brand’s Scenic Vision concept unveiled last year, the new Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is an all-new model that, unlike its predecessor, takes the form of a compact SUV rather than an MPV.
Set to rival the Tesla Model Y the bold new Scenic sits above the Megane in the French brand’s line-up and will be offered with a choice of battery sizes. The standard car gets a 167bhp motor and 60kWh battery, offering a range of up to 261 miles. The High Range model gets an 87kWh battery which should be good for up to a whopping 385 miles. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.
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Tesla Model 3
Now featuring a refreshed exterior look and new battery technology, the facelifted Tesla Model 3 made its public debut at the Munich motor show. The new Model 3 is set to cost £1000-£2000 more than the existing car, with the line-up set to start from around £44,000.
The standard rear-wheel drive version has a claimed range of up to 344 miles (up from 305), while the Long Range model offered up to 421 miles (up from 394). Add 19in wheels and range drops to 318 and 390 miles respectively. Inside, the indicator stalks have been removed from behind the steering wheel, and the central screen has been upgraded to be more responsive to inputs.
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Vauxhall Experimental
The Astra-sized coupe-SUV previews how the brand will evolve as it draws ever closer to its deadline of an all-electric line-up by 2028. You’ll notice that the car shown at the Munich motor show wears an Opel badge, and that’s because the UK is the only market to get Vauxhall branded cars.
While the new concept doesn’t preview a specific model, the Experimental highlights a number of ideas which could feed into future production models. The concept majors on aerodynamics to help boost range and sustainable materials.
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Volkswagen ID GTI
The highly-anticipated Volkswagen ID GTI will be the electric successor to the fabled Golf GTI, with the compact, front-wheel-drive hot hatch set to headline the German brand’s new entry-level electric car line-up.
The electric hot hatch is set to gain a specially tuned sports suspension, traditional GTI design elements inspired by the MK1 Golf GTI and a price tag of around £26,000. It will be launched in production guise in 2026 and go on sale in 2027.