IAA Mobility 2025 wrap-up: BMW

Now that I’m back from Munich, I guess it’s time to wrap up some of the sights from the 2025 IAA Mobility show. Thanks to the wonderful folks at BMW, this was my first time experiencing the IAA, and it was an absolute blast. The show’s unique setup, right in the heart of the city, made it even more enjoyable, as I could drop by every other day to catch things I might’ve missed earlier.

That said, while the main event unfolds downtown, there’s also a more trade-oriented side of the IAA that takes place at an exhibition space outside the city. Unlike the glitzy pavilions in the city center, this segment focuses on the latest technological breakthroughs, innovations in mobility, and the design, development, and manufacturing side of the automotive world. This expo was also where we started out IAA Mobility tour with BMW taking center stage unveiling the Neue Klasse iX3 to the public for the very first time.

This was also the first time a white (Singapore’s favourite non-colour) iX3 in standard non-M-Performance spec was shown.

The biggest surprise that morning, for me, and I’m sure for many others, was the presentation of the Vision CE bike. While we’d seen it as a static display during the closed-door unveiling of the iX3, this was the first time it was shown moving under its own power. What really stunned everyone however was what happened next: after the rider dismounted, the Vision CE calmly stood upright on its own, no person, no kickstand, just perfectly balanced. It was wild, and it was the first time many of us, BMW internal staff included saw this demonstration.

From what we gathered speaking with the man in charge, the Vision CE achieves this feat without using gyroscopes. Instead, it relies on a series of tiny micro-movements, subtle steering corrections, and a whole lot of crazy math. While it’s only a proof of concept for now, it would be absolutely spectacular if this ever made it into production.

While the iX3 naturally stole most of the spotlight, I couldn’t help but be constantly drawn to this beauty, a fully specced-out M5 Touring finished in Thundernight Metallic, easily the best colour in BMW’s palette right now (at least, if you ask me).

How can anyone not like this?

Over in town, BMW naturally had the biggest and most impressive stage right on Max-Joseph-Platz, putting their latest “baby” front and center.

Unfortunately, a light drizzle set in, so I decided to head out and do some shopping instead.

I returned later that evening, of course, just in time to join their party! It was also then that I first noticed the updated roundel badge on the iX3. See the difference? The one on the left is the new design, while the one on the right is the current version.

IAA at night definitely hits different, with the largest pavilions transformed into lively party zones. It was quite a spectacle!