Europe flicks the switch to take on Tesla

Germany is fighting back against Elon Musk’s electric car dominance with a bewildering array of green machines.

Mercedes has unveiled the forerunner to a whole new model family, the Concept CLA Class, at the Mercedes-Benz Pavilion in Munich.

The German car industry is under attack.

Increasingly strict environmental regulations are making life tough for established automotive players and rivals such as Tesla are lining up to overtake them as the motoring world turns electric.

Europe’s largest car market is fighting back, outlining plans to the public at this week’s IAA Mobility motor show in Munich.

2023 Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA class.

Mercedes-Benz

If the Tesla Model 3 is an exercise in restrained design, Mercedes’ counterpart represents affordable opulence.

There’s nothing subtle about the brand’s upcoming electric sedan, a reborn version of the compact Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Shown here in concept form, the machine has illuminated Benz logos in place of head and tail lights and an ostentatious cabin with coloured lights to rival Las Vegas.

The brand isn’t pulling punches when promoting hardware that includes a two-speed transmission, rapid-charging capability and a battery with about 750 kilometres of range. Company chairman Ola Källenius says the ultra-efficient running gear is nothing less than an “engineering masterpiece”.

BMW chief executive Oliver Zipse presents the 'Neue Klasse' in Munich. Photo: Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP

BMW

Not to be outdone, BMW unveiled a concept car that company chairman Oliver Zipse described as “nothing less than the future of the BMW brand”.

Dubbed the Vision Neue Klass (or “new class”), the compact sedan shapes up as an electric successor to the BMW 3 Series.

Wearing new looks that represent a generational leap beyond existing models, the machine draws a clear line between the combustion-powered BMWs of yesterday and the electric models of tomorrow.

Expect to see it in showrooms in 2025, followed by a similar evolution for the BMW X3 luxury SUV.

2023 Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept.

Volkswagen

Don’t call it a comeback. And don’t call this a Golf.

VW’s vision to win customers away from the likes of Tesla includes a new ID. GTI Concept car shaping up as a hot hatch for the electric age.

As with the Golf GTI, VW says this design study represents “the perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday usability”. It looks the part, with taut and purposeful styling that represents an evolution of the much-loved GTI theme.

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There were some pretty speical cars at the Munich motor show including the ID. GTI concept #munich#iaa#volkswagen#gti

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Power goes to the front tyres in a traditional hot-hatch layout that keeps costs down by packaging all the key mechanical hardware upfront while returning a spacious boot.

That’s an interesting departure from a brand that has invested heavily in rear-drive electric hatchbacks such as the VW ID. 3 and its Spanish spin-off, the Cupra Born.

The new Mini Cooper wears clean lines.

Mini

The British brand owned by BMW has big news in the form of a larger Countryman SUV and compact Cooper hatchback – both with a choice of petrol or electric power.

Mini is diving deeper into the world of electric cars with more EV-powered machines and they’re genuine production vehicles, not pie-in-the-sky concept cars.

The new Mini Cooper is undeniably pretty and we love the retro-chic cabin that has a huge circular touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. The blocks Countryman isn’t as attractive but it will be the largest Mini yet, making it the practical pick.

The Tesla Model 3 promises to be a winner on the sales charts.

Tesla

Elon Musk’s electric cars crashed the party in Munich, stealing attention away from European brands with a heavily updated version of the Model 3. New looks on the outside join a streamlined cabin – there is no longer a physical transmission control, so you choose gears using the touchscreen – that also benefits from the addition of ambient lighting and a small digital display for the back seat.

Tesla promises that the car will be smoother and quieter to drive than before, focusing on improved refinement rather than huge helpings of additional range or power.

The Fisker Pear has clever design touches.

Fisker

American start-up Fisker is following in Tesla’s wheel tracks, trying to steal attention – and customers – away from giants such as VW.

The new Fisker Pear shapes up as a compact SUV for folks on a budget – it costs $US29,900 ($46,000) in the US. Clever touches include a bootlid that drops down into the rear bumper, allowing you to access the load area without swinging open a tailgate.

Originally published as Europe flicks the switch to take on Tesla