The SMMT South Test Day is a key date in the Southern Group calendar as a chance for members to test the latest crop of new models ahead of our New Year Honours awards, along with a great chance to catch up with each other and industry PRs.
For 2024, the South Test day saw a few changes from recent years with a new venue at Thruxton Circuit, complete with a new set of test routes. The running order was also different for this year, with the group being hosted for dinner and an overnight stay by the Kia PR team at the Vineyard Hotel in Newbury prior to the event.
This gave members a short 40-minute drive from the hotel to Thruxton. The weather threatened to put a dampener on proceedings early on, but it did clear up for the morning’s test drives.
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Manufacturers in attendance this year included BMW, BYD, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Isuzu, MG, MINI, and Nissan. The event also saw a welcome return for Maserati after a long absence, and Lotus, who were making their first appearance at the South Test Day.
In spite of the industry-wide shift towards electrification in recent years, there were a large variety of petrol-powered models available to test alongside hybrids and EVs. Notably, Lotus had a substantial presence on the day with both variants of its new Eletre SUV, as well as both the four-cylinder and V6 versions of its Emira sports car. A diverse line-up if ever there was one.
2024 SMMT Test Day South: gallery
Other highlights from the array of new models available to test on the day were the new MG 3 Hybrid hatchback and the sporty Cyberster roadster, models that are polar opposites of the brand’s current line-up. Enthusiasts were also well catered for, with new models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, BMW Z4, and Mini Cooper all vying for attention.
There were plenty of regular cars on offer as well, with the latest versions of the Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai, and the new Hyundai Santa Fe all proving popular picks with journos throughout the day.
Car of the day: Ben Hodges
Oddly, and I’ll admit this is a somewhat leftfield choice for me, I really liked the MINI Countryman EV. For starters, I like the new look, as it’s a modern progression of the old car that is a bit more angular and up to date looking. The inside is also a substantial step up from the old car, too, with the brand nailing it with a modern looking and premium feeling cabin.
Lastly, it was also good fun to drive, as a Mini should be. In go-kart mode, I found myself smiling whenever I backed off the throttle as the overlaid engine sound emitted various chirps, and it drove like a bigger version of a MINI hatchback with a precise feel about it. Exactly what you’d want from a car wearing a MINI badge.
