The new IONIQ 5 N - pioneer of the Hyundai electrification offensive: You were already able to book the Hyundai IONIQ 5 for your test drives and vehicle comparisons at JB CarConcept when it was launched almost three years ago. Having updated the model two years ago, Hyundai is taking the exciting 800-volt technology to the next level with the N version of the IONIQ 5: direct shifting and a motorsport feel for real enthusiasts. The Koreans have deployed a new technology kit, e.g. with N e-Shift and N Active Sound+, which will also be available in other models at a later date. So what's the result? This is hard to put into words - only extensive test drives and vehicle comparisons can provide answers.

Electric mid-size sedan with blade battery: The Chinese manufacturer is presenting its fifth all-electric vehicle on the European market with the BYD Seal. Drawing on a relatively large amount of experience from the domestic market in China, BYD has launched an attractive mid-size sedan. It not only excels with its sporty performance and modern design - BYD calls it “Ocean Aesthetics” - but also derives its energy from a so-called blade battery. Its cells are made of lithium iron phosphate and are deemed to be more sustainable as they can be produced without the use of cobalt. It is integrated into the supporting structure of the Seal thanks to cell-to-body technology meaning that it contributes to the generous amount of space. This, together with its dimensions, allows the BYD Seal to compete with top dogs such as the Model 3 from Tesla or the Polestar 2.

Nio ET5 Touring, stylish symbiosis of Nio design and estate car: The first electric estate car from Chinese manufacturer Nio: a smart touring car with style that is currently only comparable with premium-class combustion models. Fully electric estate cars from Europe are still lacking. Nio has once again demonstrated style with the ET5 Touring. The flowing roofline, panoramic glass roof, striking proportions and ambient lighting as a “digital waterfall” create plenty of elegant visual highlights. The result is that the ET5 Touring can be hailed as the winner of the German Design Award 2024.

Chic, compact and with 315 kW AWD power: The fact that the new EX30 comes from Volvo is obvious at first glance: it bears the classic Volvo design. Albeit in very compact dimensions: Measuring just over 4.20 meters in length, it rivals electric vehicles such as the VW ID.3, Smart #1, Kia Nero EV and BYD Dolphin or the VW Taigo in the combustion engine segment. As such, the EX30 steps into a market segment where the choice of electric vehicles is still limited. This begs the question of how the electric drive will fare where petrol and diesel clearly dominate.

Family-friendly Kia electric SUV with 800-volt technology: Just like the Porsche Taycan and the Ionic 5, the Kia EV9 also has an 800-volt system. It is also already set up for “bidirectional charging”. This means that the EV9 can deliver electricity from its battery to a household or the public grid. It would be a fascinating question for test and comparison drives to see whether this is currently relevant.

The ID.7 – much more than just an “electric Passat” The dimensions and comfort technology of the new ID.7 are aimed at the upper mid-size class. When compared to the competition, it comes up against real premium offerings: BMW i5, Mercedes EQE, Tesla Model S set the benchmark here. The VW ID.7 intends to rise to this challenge with special comfort highlights: a new operating and display concept with a 38 cm (15-inch) central screen and freely configurable “favorite buttons”, augmented reality head-up display and the “Smart Glass” panoramic roof are just a few examples. The latter ensures a light-flooded interior and can be switched between opaque and transparent thanks to the PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) layer integrated into the glass. What users have to say about it will be interesting to hear.

The EL6 mid-size SUV is the fourth Nio vehicle in Germany: The Chinese manufacturer Nio remains a newcomer in Europe, yet with the EL6 mid-size SUV, it is already unveiling its fourth model in Germany after the EL5, EL7 and ET7. All of them fully electric. All positioned in the premium class. Although there are plenty of competitor vehicles for the EL6: Tesla Model Y; BMW iX3, Mercedes EQE SUV, soon Audi with the Q6 e-tron. The Nio EL6's premium features include 9 driving modes, the lounge mode for the rear seats and the extensive sensor/camera package.

Gen. eight of the BMW 5 Series – now also electric. BMW has been sending its 5 Series onto the road against its premium competitors since the summer of 1972. The eighth generation continues this long tradition, despite having four drive concepts for the first time. Advantages: well-known design, genuine ‘driving pleasure’ (see below) and retention of the operating concept with the iDrive controller. Disadvantage: The interior lacks the spacious impression we know from other BEVs - such as the EQE, Nio ET7 or Tesla Model S. BMW is trying to counteract this. With considerably larger dimensions for the 5 Series, instrument design with a futuristic flair (curved housing with two displays) and a wealth of entertainment electronics including in-car gaming.

Hyper SUV with racing car DNA: What do you get when you cross an SUV with a sports car? Well, that's the challenge Lotus has set itself with the new Eletre. The result: almost gigantic dimensions, eye-catching, aggressive design with a drag coefficient of 0.26, quite remarkable for an SUV. Whilst it may not be a true sports car, as one would expect from the once traditional English brand, it has extremely agile handling. Well-equipped for comparison tests with competitors such as the BMW iX M60, AMG EQE 53 SUV, Tesla Model X or Lamborghini Urus.