The Mobility Highlights of Week 41/2026

BMW has unveiled the iX4, the latest model in its Neue Klasse lineup. The all-electric SUV coupe will launch in March 2027 with two initial variants: the iX4 40 xDrive, producing 275 kW (374 PS), and the iX4 50 xDrive, delivering 345 kW (469 PS). The range-topping BMW iX4 M60 xDrive is expected to debut shortly after orders open for the two other models. With 450 kW (612 PS), the iX4 M60 xDrive is expected to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

All three variants feature the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology, combining an 800-volt architecture with new cylindrical battery cells. The iX4 40 xDrive is expected to offer up to 638 kilometers of range with its 82.6-kWh battery. The iX4 50 xDrive is projected to achieve up to 828 kilometers with a 108.7-kWh battery, while the M60 xDrive is expected to deliver up to 777 kilometers. Maximum DC charging power ranges from 300 to 400 kW, depending on the variant. In the iX4 50 xDrive, this enables drivers to add up to 387 kilometers of range in just ten minutes.

Features include the new Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X, the Heart of Joy vehicle dynamics computer, and a highway assistant that enables hands-free driving at speeds of up to 130 km/h. The 4.78-meter-long SUV coupe offers up to 1,600 liters of cargo space and a drag coefficient of 0.23. According to BMW, the technical specifications are still preliminary.

Honda is working with Taisei and Taisei Rotec to develop a system that enables electric vehicles to charge wirelessly while driving. The technology, known as Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT), transfers energy from charging units embedded in the road surface to receiver coils mounted underneath the vehicle. Initial demonstration trials on public roads are planned for Japan's 2027 fiscal year.

The system integrates the inverter and transmitter coil into a single unit and uses a centralized DC power supply. The charging units can also be installed in existing roads and are designed to withstand the loads imposed by heavy commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of approximately 20 metric tons. Looking ahead, the partners aim to test charging power levels of up to 150 kW. This figure remains a development target.

Following initial tests on a dedicated test track, further evaluations of durability and power transfer are scheduled to begin in late 2026. Starting in April 2027, the technology is expected to undergo testing under real-world traffic conditions as part of a demonstration project on Japan's Tateyama Expressway.

Jaguar has unveiled the new Type 01 in New York. The all-electric, four-door grand tourer marks a new beginning for the brand's model lineup and is set to become the most powerful production vehicle in Jaguar's history, with more than 1,000 PS. The new flagship is based on the company's purpose-built Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA) and is developed and manufactured in the UK.

According to Jaguar, the 850-volt architecture enables an EPA-estimated range of up to 400 miles. The Type 01 supports charging power of up to 350 kW at DC fast-charging stations, allowing it to add approximately 200 miles of range in just 13 minutes.

With its sleek silhouette, long hood, and low roofline, the Type 01 introduces a new design language and is also expected to become the most aerodynamic road car in Jaguar's history. Orders are scheduled to open in early 2027, with the first deliveries expected in the second half of the year.

The IAA MOBILITY Visionary Club brings together visionary leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of mobility. In our exclusive LinkedIn group, members gain access to inspiring interviews, fresh perspectives, and ideas from across the entire mobility ecosystem.

In the latest episode, Sophia Rödiger, CMO at 1KOMMA5°, joins host Sarah Harman to discuss what mobility means to her, why she considers herself an electromobility pioneer, and how she experienced the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure across Europe.

She also shares her perspective on the energy transition, why she believes it needs to move faster, and how 1KOMMA5° managed to turn energy from a traditionally unexciting product into a lifestyle brand.