Southern Group Happenings: August 2025
Welcome to the August 2025 edition of the Southern Group Happenings. In this month’s update we’ve got plenty of advice on SUV buying and the verdict on the Alpine A290 hot hatchback, as well as Stu Bird reading the Mk1 Honda Civic brochure. Read on for the full roundup of the goings-on in the automotive […]
Southern Group Happenings: July 2025
As summer continues, so does the hard work for the members of the Southern Group during July with a flurry of events, new car launches, and drive reviews. In this month’s round-up we’ve got some advice on vehicles capable of seeing out the end of days comfortably, economical driving tips, how a 4 compares to […]
2025 Southern Group Heritage Day: Big trucks, police cars, and classic drives
For the 2025 Southern Group Heritage Day, the group once again joined forces with automotive PRs to hold the biggest and best event yet. A brilliant turnout of 24 members made the journey to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, along with 35 PR friends. For this year, the day received fantastic support […]
2025 Kia EV6 GT review: a rapid and involving EV for the drivers
The arrival of the Kia EV6 GT a couple of years ago marked the firm’s return to performance models. It was the first hot model since the brilliant Stinger fastback was discontinued a couple of years ago, and now the updated model is here with even more power, a bigger battery, and a new ‘virtual […]
Southern Group Happenings: June 2025
Welcome to the latest installment of the SGMW happenings, our monthly update on what the group’s members have been up to, along with a look at what’s gone on in the automotive industry. The summer months are typically busy for the automotive industry, and June was no exception with a multitude of new car teasers, […]
2025 Kia Driving Day: a day of heritage thrills and electrifying fun
For the 2025 iteration of the Southern Group’s (SGMW) Kia Driving Day, a total of nineteen members made the trip to the Vineyard Hotel at Stockcross, near Newbury, for a day of test drives. The Kia UK team kindly laid on a total of fourteen cars for members to test, including its latest addition to […]
Southern Group Happenings: May 2025
As May came and went the Southern Group members remained as prolific as ever. Last month saw the group gather to raise money for charity with the annual SGMW Sue Baker Memorial Karting GP, along with the usual blend of car reviews, reveals, and varied social media posts. Latest: Volvo XC90 V8 review: a V8-powered […]
2025 MINI JCW Electric review: Electrifyingly fun and furious, but not flawless
As the electric car evolution continues, there is one niche that has yet to reach its full potential: the hot hatchback. However, with models such as the Abarth 500e, Cupra Born, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N all trying to tempt enthusiasts to go electric, the new 2025 MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Electric is the […]
Volvo XC90 V8 review: a V8-powered shrine to longevity
The first-generation Volvo XC90 is one of those cars that you hardly notice on the road. It is, after all, a large family SUV that has plenty of practical appeal that’s all very normal. Pick the XC90 V8, though, and this otherwise normal SUV becomes a whole lot more interesting. Latest: 2025 SGMW Sue Baker […]
Southern Group Happenings: April 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers (SGMW) Happenings. Here you’ll find the SGMW members’ latest ramblings that may involve test driving new cars and bikes, some armed police, and a birthday party for a car brand. Without further delay, these are the highlights from SGMW members from April 2025. […]