10 curiosities from the Monaco Motor Show, from the projection screen to the "new" autonomous driving

MONACO – From the pop-up screen to the one that projects across the entire width of the windshield, from 1 million-kilometer batteries to a range extender that fits in a suitcase. From the first small Chinese car produced in Europe to the ultra-powerful one produced in China and destined exclusively for the Old Continent, to demonstration tests with a different approach to autonomous driving, here are the 10 curiosities of the Munich Motor Show, in alphabetical order by manufacturer.

1. AUDI – The hidden screen

In the Audi Concept C, the two-seater electric sports car, the multimedia system with a 10.4-inch touchscreen appears and disappears from the dashboard simply by pressing a button on the center console. In addition to the retractable screen, the Concept C's interior features touch-sensitive controls for the climate control and physical aluminum buttons for other functions. The idea is to offer a technological experience that is unobtrusive but well-integrated into the cabin, for a clean and functional design.

2. BMW – The screen that projects itself

The new iX3 is the first model to feature Panoramic Vision as standard, which projects driving and infotainment information across the entire width of the lower windshield, acting as an advanced head-up display for the driver and passengers. This technology, available from November, uses a special coating on the windshield to display data clearly and legily. Above Panoramic Vision and directly in the driver's field of vision, the optional BMW 3D head-up display with navigation information and autonomous driving functions is available.

3. BYD – The first Chinese car produced in Europe

The Dolphin Surf will be BYD's first car built in Europe. Production of the Chinese giant's small and affordable electric vehicle (with 19,490 units in Italy) will begin by the end of the year at the Hungarian plant in Szeged. This will avoid the 27% duty (10% pre-existing tax plus an additional 17%) imposed by the European Union on electric vehicles made in China since last October. Furthermore, the Dolphin Surf has also earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating with impressive scores: 82% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 76% for pedestrian and cyclist protection, and 77% for safety features.

4. CATL – 1 million km batteries and ultra-fast charging

It has introduced two new lithium-iron-phosphate batteries for European manufacturers. The Shenxing Pro Super Long Life promises a range of 758 km in the WLTP cycle, charges from 10% to 80% in 15 minutes, and maintains 70% capacity after 12 years or 1,000 km. The Shenxing Pro Super-Fast Charging has 110 kWh, a range of 683 km in the WLTP cycle, and enables ultra-fast charging: 487 km in 10 minutes at 25°C, 410 km in 20 minutes at -20°C. Both feature "No Propagation 3.0" technology, which prevents the propagation of damage and the formation of smoke or flames even in the event of an accident.

5. HORSE – The range extender that fits in a suitcase

The Horse C-15 is a combustion engine designed to increase the range of electric vehicles by recharging the battery while driving. Developed by a joint venture between the Renault Group and Geely, it has a compact footprint, the size of a suitcase—measuring 50 x 55 x 27.5 centimeters—allowing for flexible integration in the front or rear of vehicles, and even horizontally or vertically. The C-15 powertrain combines a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated gasoline engine, a generator, an inverter, and a cooling system. It can be used on B- and C-segment vehicles, while a turbocharged variant is planned for commercial vehicles and D-segment cars.

6. LINKTOUR – Two electric minicars with up to 180 km of range

Linktour offers compact boutique cars for those seeking style and practicality. The Alumi and Alumi Elite (L6e and L7e certified), 2.68 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, are designed for the city: the former reaches a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of 120 km, while the latter reaches a top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 180 km. Compact and lightweight, the aluminum body reduces weight by 45%, increasing efficiency and range. CTB (Cell-to-body) technology integrates the batteries into the frame, improving rigidity and safety. The 110 Nm motor accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in 5.5 s and can tackle 35% gradients even when fully loaded, with two available driving modes.

7. POLESTAR 5 GT – Made in China but sold only in Europe

Built in China but destined exclusively for Europe, the Polestar 5 is the Swedish brand's most powerful model, with 884 hp. A direct competitor to the Porsche Taycan and BMW i7, it is a 4+1 Grand Tourer, with a fifth seat available by raising the rear armrest and a staggered seating position. It uses the high-strength aluminum Polestar Performance Architecture (PPA), an 800-volt system, and a 112 kWh battery. Europe is a key market for battery-powered luxury sedans, where they already account for 41% of volumes and demand is growing rapidly.

8. SKODA VISION O – Intelligent solutions

The goal is clear: to redefine the car for long journeys with practical and digital solutions. The design began with the cabin, adopting a minimalist approach that focuses on space utilization, ergonomics, and lighting thanks to the Bio-Adaptive lighting system and panoramic windshield. Smart and simply clever solutions abound, such as the four umbrellas integrated into the doors, a portable wireless speaker, a built-in refrigerator, and a dedicated compartment in the trunk for charging cables. Furthermore, with the Vision O app and its integrated virtual assistant, you can use your smartphone not only to plan itineraries but also to organize luggage space, tint the windows, and use the Laura voice assistant for everyday needs.

9.TOGG – Expansion outside Turkey

Togg, the Turkish electric car manufacturer, is debuting two models on the German market: the T10X SUV and the T10X sedan. Both models were designed by Pininfarina, who created the sleek, fastback lines of the sedan with a drag coefficient of 0.23. Both models achieved a five-star safety rating in recent Euro NCAP tests. Two powertrain configurations are available: a rear-wheel drive version with a single 160 kW (215 hp) motor, and an all-wheel drive version with two motors, for a total power output of 320 kW (429 hp). Both models will be available to order starting September 29th through Trumore, the digital platform that brings together all of Togg's connected services, from remote vehicle control to maintenance management.

10. WAYVE – The different autonomous driving

Wayve, the British startup taking a different approach to autonomous driving than several competitors, demonstrated at the Munich Motor Show. Rather than using separate modules for perception, planning, and control, Wayve's technology relies on a single, unified neural network where artificial intelligence makes driving decisions based on raw sensor data. Wayve has secured its first supply contract with Nissan, which will integrate its technology into its ProPilot ADAS system in the coming years, and has entered into an agreement with Uber to launch fully autonomous vehicle trials in London.