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All The News From The Munich Motorshow
We’re bringing you all the news from the IAA Mobility 2021 Munich Motorshow, with many new launches listed below. It’s a chance for Germany’s, and the world’s, finest to strut their stuff and is a welcome return for motor shows after the pandemic scuppered all chances of any being held last year.
Mercedes-Benz EQG Concept Previews The Fully Electric G-Class Of Tomorrow
The age-old ladder-frame G-Class platform is getting a push into the 21st century with the EQG Concept. Despite being a forward-thinking EV, the EQG Concept retains many elements of the original, including the aforementioned chassis, and a rigid axle at the rear. However, the batteries have been integrated into the EQG’s frame to lower the car’s center of gravity, and it gets EQ design cues like the illuminated fully covered grille and the two-tone color.
VW ID. LIFE Previews Small EV That Will Launch In 2025 Priced At Around €20,000
The VW ID.Life is a new electric concept from Volkwagen that features tonnes of retro-design cues and is said to preview a production car that will launch at around €20,000 (~$32,000). It’s the first MEB-based model to be front-wheel drive and is powered by a 230 hp electric motor with a 57 kWh battery pack offering up a range of 248 miles (400 km).
Hyundai: Zero Emmision Vehicles To Account For 80% Of Global Sales By 2040, Carbon Neutral By 2045
Hyundai has used the IAA Mobility Show to announce its goal to become carbon neutral by 2045. As part of that plan, the automaker will stop selling ICE-powered vehicles in Europe from 2035, with zero-emissions vehicles making up 80 percent of sales by 2040. Hyundai is continuing to include Fuel Cell vehicles in their push towards zero emissions, with the new generation Nexo slated for launch in 2023, along with another FCEV MPV.
2022 Renault Mégane E-Tech Unveiled As A Fully Electric Compact Crossover
The all-new all-electric Mégane E-Tech has been unveiled at the 2021 IAA Mobility this morning. It’s the first car from the French manufacturer to be built on the CMF-EV platform which also underpins the Nissan Ariya. It comes with two different outputs depending on the model, with either 129 hp (96 kW / 130 PS) or 215 hp (160kW / 218 PS). The Mégane E-Tech will also get two different battery configurations, one with 40kWh for a range of 299 km (186 miles) and one with 60kWh for a range of up to 470 km (292 miles).
BMW i Vision Circular Concept Is An Innovative Totally Recyclable City Car
If you thought BMW‘s grille trend couldn’t get any larger, meet the BMW i Vision Circular Concept. Aside from the design, this compact four-seat EV aims to offer a glimpse at city transport in 2040. The entire car is made from recyclable materials, and at the end of its life can be fully recycled — battery too.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS Concept Previews Ultra-Luxurious Electric SUV Coming Soon
Along with many other Mercedes launches already previewed at the Munich Motorshow, including the EQE Sedan, EQB EV SUV, and AMG EQS 53, is a Maybach version of the EQS SUV. Described as a “near-production” concept, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV (not to be confused with the EQS Sedan), features a full-width hyperscreen display, a flower vase, white piano lacquer trim and a “faux fur” floor covering to name but a few of the ultra-luxury touches this concept showcases.
VW ID. Buzz Autonomous Van Debuts With Argo AI Tech, Set To Enter Service In 2025
Another Munich Motorshow debutant, the ID.Buzz AD (which stands for autonomous driving) is based on the upcoming ID.Buzz EV. Created jointly by Argo AI and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the ID.Buzz AD features roof-mounted lidar, and can predict the actions of other road users “like an experienced driver.” However, most fans will be keen to get another glimpse at what will likely become the production design of the ID.Buzz, with less retro-inspired elements than earlier suggested.
What Else Is Making The News
Max Verstappen Wins The Dutch Grand Prix
Max Verstappen has won the Dutch Grand Prix, delighting the thousands of fans who turned out to show support for the home hero. While the race itself wasn’t the most thrilling in recent memory, the Zandvoort track did prove challenging in the run-up to the main event, with all practice sessions and qualifying featuring red-flags as drivers struggled to get to grips with the circuit.
Valterri Bottas Announced To Leave Mercedes, Heads To Alfa Romeo For 2022
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Less than 24 hours after the Dutch Grand Prix it was announced that Valterri Bottas would be departing the Mercedes-AMG Formula One team. He will replace fellow Finn Kimi Räikkönen. His replacement is expected to be announced soon, with George Russel being an almost foregone conclusion.