Mercedes-Benz and BMW Unveil Electric Concept Cars to Compete with Tesla
Mercedes-Benz and BMW have revealed their electric concept cars as they aim to catch up with Tesla in the premium segment of the market.
At the IAA auto show in Munich, Mercedes showcased the Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class, while BMW introduced the BMW Vision Neue Klasse.
These vehicles are built on new platforms developed by the German automakers, which will serve as the foundation for their upcoming electric vehicle offerings. This marks their most ambitious foray into the realm of battery-powered vehicles.
As concept cars, the final design of these vehicles remains uncertain. However, let’s take a closer look at what Mercedes and BMW have to offer.
Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class
The Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class is based on the Mercedes‑Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), a new platform specifically designed for electric cars.
The lineup will include four new models, including a four-door coupé, an estate, and two sports utility vehicles.
Mercedes claims that the car will have a range of 750 kilometers (466 miles) on a single charge. Additionally, the battery can be charged to enable a 400-kilometer (249-mile) drive in just 15 minutes.
Mercedes has placed significant emphasis on the interior and user experience. The company is developing its own operating system called MB.OS, which will power various features such as a large dashboard screen and a voice assistant.
This operating system will also allow integration with third-party apps, including popular music and video streaming apps.
“This proprietary chip-to-cloud architecture represents a completely new approach for the company and will be a defining aspect of all its future vehicles,” stated Mercedes-Benz in a press release.
Mercedes’ move to develop its own operating system is an attempt to catch up with Tesla, as traditional automakers have been perceived as lagging behind in software innovation.
BMW Vision Neue Klasse
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse is BMW’s response to Tesla. It is built on a new architecture that will serve as the foundation for BMW’s future electric cars.
The first electric vehicles based on the Neue Klasse architecture are expected to enter production in 2025.
The concept vehicle features a glass roof and incorporates classic design elements that are synonymous with the BMW brand.
BMW introduces Panoramic Vision, a heads-up display system that projects information on the windshield at the driver’s eye level.
The Neue Klasse will be the first BMW model to have this feature, allowing both driver and passengers to interact with the Panoramic Vision system.
While details on range and charging are scarce, BMW stated that the next generation of its technology will enhance the charging speed of the Neue Klasse models by up to 30 percent and increase their range by up to 30 percent.
