Berliner Tageblatt - Automotive (English)

New id.Polo comes electric

Volkswagen’s ID.Polo ushers the iconic Polo name into the electric age. Pre‑sales begin at the end of April 2026. Built at the Martorell plant in Spain, the compact five‑door model is the first production car on VW’s updated MEB+ platform. Pricing will start below €25,000.Customers can choose between 37 kWh and 52 kWh batteries powering 85 kW, 99 kW or 155 kW motors; the GTI variant with 166 kW arrives later. The larger battery delivers up to 450 km of range and supports DC charging at up to 130 kW. New assistance systems include Travel Assist with traffic‑light and stop‑sign recognition.

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BMW iX3 new style and design

BMW’s iX3 heralds the Neue Klasse era. Revealed at CES 2026, the pre‑production SUV features a dual‑motor powertrain delivering 345 kW/469 hp and 645 Nm of torque, launching from 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with a 210 km/h top speed. Sixth‑generation BMW eDrive technology introduces cylindrical cells and an 800‑volt battery with 108.7 kWh usable capacity, enabling up to 805 km of WLTP range.Ultra‑fast charging adds 372 km in 10 minutes at 400 kW DC stations. Charging from 10 to 80 % takes just 21 minutes, and the NACS port provides access to the Tesla Supercharger network with an optional 22 kW AC charger. Bidirectional charging (V2L, V2H and V2G) turns the iX3 into a mobile power bank or home energy store.Inside, the Panoramic iDrive spans the windscreen with a 43‑inch projection display and a 17.9‑inch infotainment screen. The AI‑powered Intelligent Personal Assistant, enhanced with Amazon Alexa+, allows natural voice interaction and controls vehicle functions. Sustainable materials contribute to a greener footprint, with recycled plastics and aluminium used in components. A flat floor improves space; the iX3 offers a 510‑litre boot plus a 58‑litre front trunk.

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New Skoda Epiq: modern with range

Skoda’s Epiq is the first series‑production vehicle to fully adopt the brand’s new Modern Solid design language. Previewed as a show car in September 2025, the compact city SUV rides on Volkswagen’s MEB Entry platform and measures around 4.1 metres in length. Despite its small footprint, it seats five and provides a generous 475‑litre boot. Skoda aims to offer an affordable electric alternative to its conventional Kamiq with a targeted starting price of about €25,000. Production is slated to begin in Navarra, Spain, with sales expected in late 2026.Different battery sizes (around 38 kWh to 56 kWh) will deliver a WLTP range of up to 425 km. The platform is shared with the upcoming VW ID.Polo and Cupra Raval, ensuring competitive efficiency and low running costs. Externally, the Epiq is defined by its Tech‑Deck face with T‑shaped LED daytime running lights and a pronounced tornado line along the flanks. Cashmere matte paintwork combines with black accents to convey robustness.

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Fred Stoof of Stoof International presents armoured world novelties to government representatives at the DSEI Japan Makuhari fair in Tokyo

In the latest interview by "Berliner Tageblatt" with Fred Stoof of Stoof International from the Federal Republic of Germany, Fred Stoof describes the DSEI 2023 Chiba Japan, currently taking place from 15 March to 17 March 2023 in the Japanese capital Tokyo, in no uncertain terms, saying: "The DSEI Japan Makuhari exhibition here in Tokyo is one of the largest defence exhibitions in Asia, here on site the leading companies in the defence industry meet to present their latest technologies and innovations!"

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