Europe’s biggest motor show since the Covid-19 pandemic has opened its doors, with Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Polestar all set to reveal crucial new models.
Star cars already revealed at the Munich motor show include the new BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, electric family SUVs that each kick-start new eras for their marques.
The show also marks the arrival of a wave of small EVs, with the Volkswagen Group launching an entire family of new models. 
Read on for our guide to the hottest new cars being shown in Munich:

This striking concept making its debut at the Munich show draws on the seminal Mk1 TT – but it isn’t purely for show, because it will go on sale in two years’ time.
“The car that you see here is a preview of a production car – almost literally,” said Audi design boss Massimo Frascella.
It is expected to use similar underpinnings to the upcoming Porsche Boxster and Cayman EVs, which are based on a specially adapted version of the Porsche-Audi-developed PPE platform.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner added that it will be postioned somewhere between the TT and the R8, and categorically ruled out naming it after the TT.
Everything you need to know about the Concept C: Audi TT reborn as radical electric sports car for 2027

The first car to come from BMW’s Neue Klasse revolution brings a dramatic step in design and engineering – promising a range of 500 miles.
That will make it Britain’s longest-range EV when sales start later this year, outdoing even the sleek Mercedes-Benz CLA.
It’s also signficantly cheaper than the outgoing iX3, with prices kicking off at £58,755 – a reduction of around £6500. 
Read our BMW iX3 prototype review

Cupra will take the wraps off a new concept car that will showcase its next design era. 
An official preview image shows a radical new cabin similar to that of the DarkRebel concept, which was unveiled in 2023, and includes a yoke-like steering wheel, a chunky central spine and racing seats.
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Everything you need to know: Cupra to showcase future of interior design with radical concept

The Cupra Raval arrives next year as a sportier sibling to the VW ID Polo and Skoda Eqiq, with angrier styling and a bespoke chassis set-up.
Cupra has confirmed that a ‘VZ’ hot hatch version is also on the way, bringing 223bhp, an electronic limited-slip differential and the ability to completely disable its stability control system.
Everything you need to know: New Cupra Raval hot hatch will feature 223bhp VZ variant

Chinese brand Changan is on the cusp of launching in the UK with the Deepal S07 electric SUV, a Tesla Model Y rival – and it is set to follow that with the Deepal S05, positioned as a competitor to the Skoda Enyaq.
In China, it is available with a choice of battery-electric and range-extender powertrains. The former has a 235bhp rear-mounted motor and a 56kWh battery pack, yielding a range of 320 miles on China’s CLTC test cycle. The range-extender has a smaller, 27kWh battery that gives an electric range of 124 miles on the WLTP cycle, which is supplemented by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator.
The S05 will make its European debut at the Munich show.

Hyundai has previewed the design of the electric hatchback concept that it will reveal at Munich. 
Named Concept Three – all but confirming the production version will be called Ioniq 3 – it is a rakish family hatch that appears to draw on the larger Ioniq 6 saloon.
As well as previewing an eventual Cupra Born rival, the Concept Three will also serve as a showcase for Hyundai’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design language.
Everything we know: Hyundai to preview Ioniq 3 with radical electric hot hatch concept

Chinese brand Leapmotor has expanded its line-up to include a Volkswagen ID 3 rival.
Named the B05, it has a single 215bhp motor mounted up front, as well as a 67.1kWh battery pack. The pair yield a range of up to 260 miles.
Prices are expected to start from around £27,000.
Everything we know: Leapmotor B05 revealed as sub-£30k VW ID 3 rival
 

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the return of the open-top G-Class. 
A preview image shows a silhouette similar to the current tin-top model, but with a shortened roofline. 
It will be the first convertible G-Class since 2017’s Maybach G650 Landaulet.
Everything we know: Mercedes G-Class cabriolet confirmed for worldwide comeback

The new GLC kicks off what Mercedes-Benz calls its “biggest product offensive” in its history.
Designed to closely resemble the current combustion-engined GLC, it evolves the brand’s design language with a new ’iconic grille’ comprising 942 LED lights; inside, it gets a huge touchscreen spanning the width of the dashboard.
Underneath, it sits on the new MB.EA electric car platform, bringing 800V electricals and a range of 435 miles.
Everything you need to know: 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ is iX3 rival with 435-mile range

Mini has signalled renewed interest in high-performance cars with this pair of concepts, which will make their debut at Munich.
Based on the petrol and electric John Cooper Works hatchbacks, they are stripped-out racers produced with fashion brand Deus ex Machina.
While neither will make production, they are the first cranked-up Mini JCW models since the GP went out of production with the last-generation hatch in 2023.
Everything you need to know: Mini celebrates racing heritage with Cooper JCW concepts

Polestar will reveal the production-ready version of its Porsche Taycan rival at Munich. The newcomer is promised to offer nearly 900bhp in its most potent form.
The super-saloon is described as a “company-defining project” and will be the first model built to use Polestar’s new 800V electrical architecture.
Largely developed in Britain, it’s said to have “supercar levels” of stiffness and be the lightest model in its class.
Everything you need to know about the Polestar 5: ‘Extreme-fast charging’ Polestar 5 GT to star at Munich motor show

A radically different Renault Clio will be shown for the first time. The sixth-generation hatchback is set to ditch pure-petrol engines and go hybrid-only – in part to meet stringent new EU fleet emissions targets.
The supermini will also introduce several new design cues, such as a more prominent nose with a diamond-shaped grille pattern and twin-decked lip spoilers at the rear.
Everything you need to know about the new generation hatch: New Renault Clio set for Munich show debut ahead of 2026 launch

Skoda’s new baby SUV promises to bring electrification to the masses, positioned – and, crucially, priced – to match the petrol-powered Kamiq.
A near-production concept is being shown on the Munich show floor, and it is expected to make it to showrooms almost enitrely unchanged.
Everything you need to know: New Skoda Epiq gears up to take on Renault 4 next year at £25k

Skoda’s new Vision O concept car will preview the next-generation Octavia Estate. CEO Klaus Zellmer told Autocar that it will be a “further step” for the brand in its design but will still “clearly be recognisable as a Skoda”.
It’s likely to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming SSP platform, designed for its next-generation EVs.
Everything you need to know about the next Skoda Octavia: Electric Skoda estate concept to channel spirit of Mk1 Octavia

This wild concept car packs 789bhp and weighs just 1170kg – but, under that dramatic skin, it also serves as a first look at the next-generation Corsa.
Indeed, it is based on the same STLA Small platform that is set to underpin that car, which is due to be revealed next year.
It will make its public debut at the Munich show.
Everything you need to know: Vauxhall reveals wild next-gen Corsa concept with 789bhp

VW has confirmed that the production version of the ID 2all concept shown at the previous Munich show will take on the Polo name.
It is displaying the finished car, due in showrooms next year priced from around £22,000, in Munich – albeit in a harlequin-inspired camouflage wrap.
The ID Polo will be offered with a choice of 38kWh and 56kWh batteries, with the latter said to yield a range of around 280 miles, and the ability to charge at speeds of up to 125kW.
Everything you need to know: Volkswagen confirms ID Polo name for new £22k EV

Alongside the ID Polo, Volkswagen has provided details of the GTI hot hatch version that is due in 2027.
It will be boosted to 233bhp and sports more aggressive design cues, including flared wheel arches, boot-mounted spoilers and larger alloy wheels. 
As previously reported by Autocar, the company is also working on a Clubsport variant targeting a peak output of 282bhp.
Everything you need to know: Volkswagen ID Polo GTI: 233bhp hot hatch to arrive in 2027

Alongside the ID Polo, the taller and chunky ID Cross has been shown in near-production form for the first time. It will go on sale next year, just after the ID Polo. 
Effectively an electric alternative to the T-Cross, it will start at around £25,000, meaning it’s set to be one of the cheapest electric SUVs on the market.
Everything you need to know: Volkswagen ID Cross previews chunky Puma Gen-E Rival
 

The new second-generation T-Roc will be displayed in public for the first time at Munich, bringing a bold new look and a hybrid drivetrain that will be rolled out across VW’s line-up.
It is set to be the final combustion car that VW will launch. All subsequent models are set to be battery-powered, if market conditions allow.
Deliveries will start in November and a hot R version is due next year with a high-performance hybrid powertrain.
Everything you need to know: New 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc brings bold look and hybrid power

Volvo’s most aerodynamic car yet – and its first electric car that isn’t an SUV – is making its debut at Munich. 
Related to the EX90 SUV, the ES90 is a five-door liftback with ranges north of 400 miles regardless of whether it is fitted with the entry-level 88kWh battery or larger 102kWh pack.
Charging speeds are capped at 350kW, allowing examples with the bigger battery to refill from 10-80% in 20 minutes.
Alongside showing the ES90, Volvo is expected to provide a closer look at the upcoming EX60 SUV.
Everything you need to know about the ES90: New Volvo ES90 revealed as BMW i5 rival with 434 miles of range
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Will is Autocar’s news editor.​ His focus is on setting Autocar’s news agenda, interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.
As part of his role, he also manages Autocar Business – the brand’s B2B platform – and Haymarket’s aftermarket publication CAT.
As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its social media channels, creating content for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.
Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.
He is the proud owner of a Mk4 Mazda MX-5 but still feels pangs of guilt over selling his first car, a Fiat Panda 100HP.
Nearly all the new cars shown except one look almost the same design,there was a time when none looked the same but I guess car design has stagnated just now.
Looks to be a bumper year for launches, announcements and previews. The last international Motor Show I went to was Geneva 2019 (2020 was cancelled just before Covid lockdown) so I am hoping to get a glimpse of what is coming – albeit at the outdoor city centre locations. If the show is a damp squid BMW Weld and the BMW Museum are worth a visit. 
yawn
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