Opel has released the first images of a new concept vehicle set to make its public debut in Munich from September 8–14. While the name remains under wraps, the images reveal that the car will carry the badge of Opel’s high-performance sub-brand GSE and showcase the next evolution of the distinctive Opel Vizor brand face.

“Our new concept will once again get hearts racing. It will give the first hints at future models. With its breathtaking design, it will excite automotive fans around the globe. More details will follow shortly — stay tuned,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl in a statement.

One glance reveals the refined, sharper Opel Compass design. At its center sits the illuminated OPEL lettering, framed by slim, precisely defined vertical and horizontal lines.

Magna is going to present a comprehensive vision of the future of mobility at IAA MOBILITY 2025, highlighting innovations in three core areas: sustainable materials, powertrain technologies including integrated battery solutions, and advanced driver assistance systems.

Visitors can expect sustainable materials that meet high technical standards while reducing environmental impact; flexible driveline systems; battery integration into body and chassis; and modular energy storage solutions designed to make electromobility more efficient and reliable.

In driver assistance, Magna will showcase technologies for Level 2+ to Level 3 autonomous driving — including intelligent sensor fusion, AI-driven decision-making, and robust safety architectures. Live outdoor demonstrations will feature imaging radar, radar fusion, and interior sensing systems, all essential for enhanced vehicle perception, occupant monitoring, and overall safety.

Munich-based start-up DeepDrive is presenting a newly developed dual-rotor radial-flow generator at IAA MOBILITY, specifically designed for modern range-extender applications in electric vehicles. This technology combines inner and outer rotors in a single motor, resulting in higher energy density, a more compact design, lower material costs, and improved efficiency — especially at partial load. The MG 250 model is compact enough to be mounted directly to the crankshaft of a combustion engine.

Leonhard KURZ is showcasing forward-looking design concepts at IAA MOBILITY 2025 that rethink the relationship between technology and sustainability. The focus is on advanced interior and exterior design solutions: smart lighting systems, functionalized surfaces, sustainable materials, and visionary display concepts with integrated sensor technology.

Highlights include the FrontIQ Light Concept — developed with Swarovski Mobility and SP3 — in which Swarovski crystals are embedded into a brand-defining light signature. Carbon structures with holographic effects around the inner edge add depth and distinctiveness to the design. The equally visionary Rear Light Concept, developed with ams OSRAM, uses a hidden-til-lit decorative surface that remains invisible when off, revealing a striking light signature only when activated.

Inside the vehicle, KURZ combines unique design with smart functionality. 3D spatial effects create stunning depth on flat surfaces, while deep black surfaces offer another example of functional design. A key focus is on materials that unite design excellence with environmental responsibility. The Smart Display Center Console Design integrates a technical solution made from recycled PET (rPET) produced through KURZ’s own take-back and recycling system, KURZ RECOSYS®.

Under the motto “Let’s shape the future of mobility. Together.”, ETAS is presenting its Vehicle Software Platform Suite at IAA MOBILITY 2025 — a comprehensive solution for the transition to software-defined vehicles. The platform supports the full range of modern vehicle architectures and application domains — from deeply embedded microcontroller-based systems to high-performance computing platforms, from ADAS/AD to motion control.

It is designed to support established automotive standards such as AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive, while also addressing specific ADAS/AD requirements and integrating open-source software. The runtime stack is fully compliant with key safety and cybersecurity standards, including ISO 26262 up to ASIL-D, ISO 21434, and UN-R155. ETAS is also introducing a fast, cost-effective solution for optimizing vehicle function validation, using a comprehensive measurement system tailored for µP-based vehicle computers.

XPENG has unveiled the next generation of its P7 electric sports sedan in Beijing. The car will be available with two battery options — 74.9 kWh or 92.2 kWh — delivering a CLTC range of between 702 km and 820 km, depending on configuration. The base rear-wheel-drive version offers 270 kW of power, while the all-wheel-drive P7 delivers 437 kW and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds.

University of Bayreuth Accelerates Battery Research with AI Agents

Researchers at University of Bayreuth and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have introduced a groundbreaking approach to battery development: a multi-agent system based on large language models (LLMs) that drastically speeds up early-stage materials research.

Unlike conventional processes — where identifying promising material compositions can take weeks or months — the AI approach delivers comparable results just within hours. The system consists of two specialized software agents: one with extensive knowledge of existing literature, and another with deep domain expertise. Through a simulated scientific “debate,” they combine their insights to propose entirely new, eco-friendly, and cost-effective electrolyte compositions.

The Automated Driving Alliance between Bosch and CARIAD is intensifying efforts to develop a new AI-powered software stack supporting Level 2 and Level 3 driver assistance systems. The goal is to create assistance functions that behave as naturally as a human driver would — from recognizing and interpreting situations to decision-making and vehicle control.

The AI-based stack will be deployed in software-defined vehicles across Volkswagen Group and has already been implemented in test vehicles such as the ID. Buzz and Audi Q8. By the end of this year, hundreds of additional test vehicles will be equipped with advanced sensors to capture and refine performance in rare, complex traffic scenarios — so-called “corner cases.” Series production is targeted for mid-2026. Bosch also plans to offer its technology to automakers in order to make automated driving more accessible across Europe.

Ford has announced a radical shift in its EV strategy, unveiling the new “Ford Universal EV Platform” and accompanying “Universal EV Production System.” The aim is to create a complete family of software-defined EVs.

Production will begin in 2027 with a compact four-door electric pickup truck built at Louisville plant. The new platform is designed to be less complex — 20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners, and up to 40% fewer workstations — while shortening assembly time by around 15%. The wiring harness will be over 1.3 km shorter and 10 kg lighter, and LFP batteries (lithium iron phosphate) will be used as a structural vehicle floor to cut both cost and weight.

Chinese automaker IM Motors (a subsidiary of SAIC with investments from Alibaba and Hi-Tech Shanghai) has revealed its new “Stellar” super range extender system for the facelifts of the upcoming LS6 and LS9 models. The hybrid system combines a 66 kWh “Super Freevoy MAX” battery — co-developed with CATL — with a 1.5-liter turbo generator.

The battery alone provides more than 450 km of purely electric range, while the range extender boosts the total range to over 1,500 km. Built on an 800-V SiC architecture with the so-called “Hurricane” motor, it supports fast charging at up to 268 kW, enabling an additional 310 km of range in just 15 minutes. Market launch begins with the updated LS6, available for pre-order from August 15, followed by the larger six-seat LS9 in Q4 2025.