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The IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung, or International Motor Show) in Munich is one of the few remaining major motor shows in the post-Covid world. This year it played host to a number of important reveals, like the upcoming BMW Neue Klasse, Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class, and Mini’s latest electric offerings.
But there were other things too, some slightly more weird and interesting. We were on the ground at the show to have a poke around, so here are some of our favourite findings.
Nile Bijoux/Stuff
Inner city motoring and is a hot button topic in the mobility world, as evidenced by cars like this XEV Yoyo Pro.
XEV Yoyo Pro
The XEV Yoyo is a tiny little electric two-seater, designed in Italy using Chinese electronics for urban use on narrow European streets. It actually debuted way back in 2019 and, in Pro trim, has a claimed range of 150km.
Charging takes about four hours from zero – or you could hot-swap the batteries at a dedicated swapping station! Because of its EV underpinnings, it has a decent amount of space inside for two people plus a bit of luggage. It’s still a city car though, so you wouldn’t really want to try a roadie in it.
Nile Bijoux/Stuff
Opel continues to produce fantastic and interesting models, with the sleek Experimental crossover coupe being the latest.
Opel concept
Opel used the IAA to show off its latest Experimental concept, which acts as a preview for upcoming Opel vehicles. The Experimental is a low-slung crossover with a design honing in on aerodynamic efficiency, clean lines and a high degree of tech.
Opel’s trademark Visor grille is back, now hosting all the hardware for automated driving, while various active flaps around the body work to better slice through the air. The wheels also have active aerodynamic elements, says Opel.
Nile Bijoux/Stuff
Enormous ‘freestyle’ doors and a pullout boot made Nobo Automotive’s latest SUV an easy pick for the ‘weirdest doors at IAA’ grand prize.
This wild Chinese concept
This rather crazy thing is from Nobo Automotive, which is a Chinese brand and part of the Great Wall Motor family.
The representative we talked to unfortunately didn’t speak much English and we couldn’t gather a huge amount of information, but it seems this SUV is a concept for future technologies for the GWM brand. It boasts freestyle doors, fully autonomous driving, seats that can rotate 180 degrees, and a bizarre pull-out boot.
Nile Bijoux/Stuff
Whether the BYD Seal U comes to New Zealand is up in the air, but given the brand’s success it seems a local berth is likely.
BYD Seal U
This one isn’t as weird as it is simply a cool debut. The Seal U is effectively an SUV version of the Seal sedan, and it genuinely looks great. Specs are yet to be confirmed but the high-rider is expected to rock a 71.8kWh battery with 420km range and an 87kWh battery with 500km range. It’s sizeable too, measuring 4785mm long and 1890mm wide, which should mean decent interior space.
BYD New Zealand was coy about the Seal U’s future Down Under, telling Stuff last month that the model will be evaluated for local launch at a later date.
Nile Bijoux/Stuff
After initially being thought of as a casualty of the EV space race, Volkswagen’s iconic GTI badge is set to go electric.
Volkswagen GTI Concept
Remember a little while back when VW said it would retire the GTI badge in favour of GTX for EV models? Well scrap that because the GTI is sticking around, adorning the bum of the brilliant ID. GTI Concept.
It looks proper, with a typical Golf front end, flared wheel arches, a quartet of rear lights and even checkered seats. But even better, VW will actually produce the thing. We don’t know exactly when, but it’ll happen.
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