German Automakers Unveil New EV Lineup at IAA

German automakers showcased their latest EV innovations at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, highlighting new models from Volkswagen, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes.

At the IAA Mobility trade fair in Munich (Sept. 9–14, 2025), major German automakers put electrification in the spotlight with a slate of new EVs. The European industry has been under pressure from growing Chinese EV competition and slumping sales, especially in China reuters.com. In response, Volkswagen Group, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz each showcased fresh electric models and concepts aimed at European buyers. These announcements mark a concerted push by Germany’s legacy brands to revive momentum in the global EV market.

Volkswagen Group Entry-Level EVs

Volkswagen Group presented its new “Electric Urban Car Family” – a set of four small EVs across VW, Cupra and Škoda brands, all built on an upgraded MEB+ platform volkswagen-group.com. Key reveals include:

• VW ID. Polo (hatchback) – a near-production version of VW’s ID.2 concept, slated to launch in late 2026 at a price around €25–30K. It was shown (camouflaged) at the IAA, with a GTI version following soon aftervolkswagen-newsroom.com volkswagen-group.com.
• VW ID. CROSS Concept (compact SUV) – a near-production concept previewing a new small electric SUV. VW plans a full launch of the production ID. Cross in summer 2026 volkswagen-newsroom.com. Cupra Raval – a camouflaged 4.0‑m electric hatchback, previewed as a near-production model. Built on the same VW MEB+ base, it will debut in 2026 as Cupra’s “Electric Urban Car” model seat-cupra-mediacenter.com volkswagen-group.com.
• Cupra Tindaya (showcar) – a futuristic design study embodying Cupra’s future styling. The Tindaya is a pure concept at IAA 2025; Cupra will reveal the production Raval in March 2026 seat-cupra-mediacenter.com.
• Škoda Epiq – a 4.1‑m city‑SUV show car previewing Škoda’s most affordable all-electric model. Škoda plans a mid-2026 production launch, targeting a starting price similar to its gas-powered Kamiq crossover skoda-storyboard.com. The Epiq will have a 475‑L trunk and WLTP range up to ~425 km skoda-storyboard.com.

Each of these models uses VW Group’s next-generation small-car architecture and shared battery technology, allowing attractive pricing and modern features across brands volkswagen-group.com. Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer emphasized that these cars bring premium tech (fast charging, advanced driver assists) to the entry level volkswagen-group.com.

Porsche’s Cayenne Electric and Wireless Charging

Porsche previewed its next-generation Cayenne Electric SUV at IAA. The new Cayenne EV will go on sale late 2025 (model year 2026) alongside the existing gas and hybrid Cayennes newsroom.porsche.com. Technically, it matches the ICE Cayenne’s utility: Porsche engineers designed it to tow up to 7,716 lbs (3.5 tons) – equal to the combustion model newsroom.porsche.com. This high towing capacity dispels a common EV myth about weak pulling power and underlines Porsche’s focus on practicality newsroom.porsche.com. Performance will also be strong: one prototype broke the SUV record at England’s Shelsley Walsh hillclimb with its active chassis newsroom.porsche.com, and Porsche claims 0–60 mph will be 4.3–4.4 seconds for the 483‑hp GLC 400 4MATIC equivalent note: Porsche calls it 360 kW). The Cayenne EV’s WLTP range has not been given yet, but with a 94‑kWh battery it is expected to rival other long-range luxury EVs.

A notable highlight was Porsche’s wireless charging system for the Cayenne Electric. Porsche is introducing an 11 kW inductive charger comprising a heavy ground plate (117×78×6 cm, ~50 kg) that is wired to the home power grid newsroom.porsche.com. Customers can have the plate professionally installed in a garage or carport; the Cayenne lowers onto it and charges without a plug. Porsche reports energy transfer efficiency up to 90% newsroom.porsche.com . The system even works with Porsche’s “Surround View” parking assist to align the car over the pad. Wireless charging for the Cayenne EV will be offered in Europe in 2026 newsroom.porsche.com, making home charging as simple as laying a smartphone on a wireless pad.

BMW’s “Neue Klasse” iX3

BMW used the Munich show to launch its new iX3 mid‑size SUV, the first production model of BMW’s overhauled “Neue Klasse” platform newsroom.porsche.com. The iX3 marks a major technology jump: it offers over 800 km WLTP range on a single charge newsroom.porsche.com, aided by ultraclean aerodynamics and a large battery. Its charging system supports up to 400 kW DC fast charging (800‑V architecture), enough to add roughly 370 km of range in a 10‑minute charge newsroom.porsche.com. BMW says this largely eliminates “range anxiety.”

Inside, the iX3 introduces a dramatically new cockpit. The traditional instrument panel is replaced by a single 17.9‑inch “free‑cut” touchscreen angled toward the driver newsroom.porsche.com. Above it spans the futuristic Panoramic iDrive display: a new head-up projection across the bottom of the windshield that shows speed, range, and navigation cues to all occupants newsroom.porsche.com. This glass-band display is part of BMW’s new OS and is intended to reduce clutter, merging real and virtual views newsroom.porsche.com.

BMW also emphasized the iX3’s bidirectional charging capability. The vehicle can act as a power source: it has Vehicle‑to‑Load (V2L) to run devices like a mobile powerbank, and Vehicle‑to‑Home/Grid (V2H/V2G) to feed solar or grid energy back into a home or the power network newsroom.porsche.com. In other words, owners could use the iX3 as emergency backup power or even earn money by selling energy back to the grid.

Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ

Mercedes-Benz previewed the all-new GLC with EQ electric drive (often called the GLC EQ). Unlike its predecessors, this GLC is built from the ground up as a full EV on an 800‑V system. The top model GLC 400 4MATIC EQ uses dual electric motors (483 hp, 596 lb-ft) for AWD performance – 0–60 mph in about 4.4 seconds electrek.co . It carries a 94 kWh battery and claims an impressive up to 713 km WLTP range (443 miles) electrek.co. Even the EPA estimate will be high: Mercedes suggests U.S. range around 350–375 miles.

Charging is fast: Mercedes quotes 10–80% DC charging in roughly 22–25 minutes (800‑V), adding up to ~303 km in 10 minutes jesmb.de. The GLC EQ can tow approximately 5,291 lbs (2.4 t) electrek.co – the highest towing rating in its class – matching or exceeding the Cayenne EV’s capability.

Inside, Mercedes offers its signature MBUX Hyperscreen (a single 39.1‑inch panel across the dash) with dynamic zone dimming electrek.co. In standard models there are still multiple displays (combined 10.25″ + 14″ + 14″ across dash and passenger) much like current MBUX setups. The all-new interface runs the latest Mercedes OS with deep Google integration.

Styling for the GLC EQ is evolutionary: the overall shape and dimensions are similar to the 2025 ICE GLC, but with EV‑specific touches. The front end features Mercedes’ new star-pattern LED daytime running lights, and an optional “digital grille” with thousands of illuminated pixels as a styling accent electrek.co. The rear tail lamps are now bold circular units – a dramatic departure that some find polarizing. Overall, the design is meant to be familiar yet modern: “effortlessly uncompromising,” as Mercedes put it.

Each of these new models was introduced in Munich under significant fanfare. By expanding their electric lineups in more affordable segments and adding advanced tech (wireless charging, bidirectional power, etc.), the German brands are clearly intent on regaining leadership in Europe’s EV market. As Porsche’s global CEO noted, “Mobility for all. From Europe for Europe,” is the pledge accompanying these latest launch plans volkswagen-group.com.

Sources: Official press releases and media reports from IAA Mobility 2025 seat-cupra-mediacenter.com volkswagen-newsroom.com volkswagen-group.com newsroom.porsche.com newsroom.porsche.com jesmb.de electrek.co