Mercedes-Benz showed up at the IAA Mobility 2025 with a lot more than just a new electric SUV reveal. CEO Ola Källenius used Munich’s stage to paint a broader picture of where the brand is headed. While the 2026 GLC with EQ Technology took the spotlight on opening night, Mercedes used the opportunity to also throw light on its future strategy across several verticals across 40 upcoming models, including performance models, entry-level luxury, a comeback of a fan favorite, and even vans.
Let’s kick things off with CLA. The German automaker is expanding the CLA family with two new versions. The all-electric CLA Shooting Brake, which combines a sleeker wagon bodystyle with added cargo space, while a hybrid CLA offers a middle ground for drivers who aren’t ready to go all-in on electric just yet. Over in Europe, wagons like the Shooting Brake still carry weight with families who want space without moving into SUV territory. The CLA will now offer three distinct options: gas, hybrid, and electric, across two body styles, something that most rivals don’t offer.
The 1,341-horsepower CONCEPT AMG GT XX also made an appearance, fresh off its record-setting run at Nardò. We’ve already covered its 25 endurance records in detail, but its presence in Munich reinforced Mercedes-AMG’s strategy. The car previews AMG.EA, a performance EV platform headed for production in 2026. For you, the message is that AMG’s electric cars won’t just be fast for a lap—they’re being engineered for range and durability, too.
The van segment rarely makes headlines, but Mercedes brought it up in Munich with the VLE prototype. It’s an all-electric van designed to blend MPV practicality with limousine comfort, seating up to eight. The production version will hit the showrooms in 2026 on a new modular van platform. Speaking of vans, the Metris remains popular for luxury builds in the U.S., and we got an exclusive look at the Vision V Concept during Monterey Car Week last month, hinting at what Mercedes has in store for its Van models, which is something you’d want to know if you run a high-end shuttle service or manage a large family fleet.
Mercedes also highlighted its MANUFAKTUR personalization program at Studio Odeonsplatz. Visitors can browse paints, leathers, and embroidery samples while seeing a bespoke S 63 E PERFORMANCE come together.
On the technology side, Mercedes opened up test drives of MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, an SAE Level 2 system for urban point-to-point driving. It’s set to launch in China this year and the U.S. in 2026. The company also demonstrated DRIVE PILOT, its SAE Level 3 conditional automation system already approved in Germany. At up to 59 mph, it lets you hand over control in traffic while legally engaging in secondary tasks.
Finally, Mercedes officially confirmed that the G-Class Cabriolet is coming back. As we previously reported, it will be available in the United States, and this time, it will be a four-door, a move that should broaden usability without losing the open-air feel. The last version left the lineup in 2013, and its return shows that Mercedes isn’t ignoring lifestyle models even as it continues to expand its EV portfolio.
Taken together, the Munich announcements show Mercedes covering multiple fronts. For fans of the three-pointed star, the takeaway is this: expect more variety, more personalization, and more advanced driver assistance in Mercedes’ upcoming U.S. lineup in 2026.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
