September 2026 proved to be an absolute whirlwind month across the automotive landscape. SGMW members were busy digesting a multitude of new reveals, including the new electric Bentley grille, one that happens to come with the Torcal attached to it.
First drives were busy too, with Kia’s many ‘GT’ badged models all getting first drives at the same time, while the Peugeot E-208 GTI launch confirmed that the hot hatch has made it alive and well into the electric era.
As usual, we’ve got all the industry highlights wrapped up here, alongside the best of the SGMW members from last month. Here is how September stacked up.
SGMW New Car Reveals: September 2026
Munich has taken the fight straight back to the traditional rep-mobile establishment with the arrival of the new BMW 3 Series. It arrived after the i3 EV for this generation, with the petrol-powered saloon retaining a low, long bonnet profile and a launch engine range featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder 320 and a muscular 420bhp M350 straight-six.
Bentley has officially entered the electric era with a car that leaves absolutely nothing on the table. Dubbed the Torcal, the brand’s first-ever EV kicks off with a colossal 810bhp and 1,194Nm of torque, rocketing from 0 to 62mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds while promising a ride quality as smooth as a limousine. It’s also very grilley at the front, as you can see from the image. But did you expect anything less?
Just a year after marking its triumphant return to UK shores, Honda’s brilliant hybrid sports coupe has received special treatment with the launch of the Prelude Limited Edition. It pairs a striking custom colour scheme with an unpretentious two-door layout that proves hybrid performance doesn’t have to look like an appliance.
Commercial drivers were also catered for last month with the new Ford Transit City Electric Van. Ford’s compact electric workhorse aims to bring legendary van usability straight into emissions-free city centres with a useful 160-mile range.
For those who prefer their motoring history served with a side of pure auditory violence, the iconic Jensen name has made a sensational return with the Interceptor GTX. This track-only monster hides a supercharged V8 engine pumping out an eye-watering 960bhp that sounds wonderfully vulgar on full chat.
Renault has dipped back into its rich archives to deliver a stunning retro-futuristic coupe concept with the Renault 8 Gordini. Reviving the famous performance badge, it leans heavily on heritage design while reminding everyone that the French carmaker still knows how to raise the pulse of car enthusiasts everywhere.
Building on its commercial lineup, Kia has rolled out a highly adaptable chassis cab variant of the PV5. Engineered specifically to host an array of options, it offers fleets a modular electric foundation wrapped in a flexible layout.
The budget end of the electric spectrum is getting crowded, and Nissan wants a piece of the small EV action with the reborn Nissan Pixo. It’s based on the brilliant Renault Twingo, but with a retro graphics looking face. Targeting a sub-£20k price tag, this compact electric city car aims to make battery-powered ownership accessible with a bit of style.
SGMW Test Drive Watch: Winners And Losers
The Winners
Audi stunned testers with the hybrid Nuvolari supercar last month by making existing mid-engine benchmark supercars like the old R8 feel somewhat leisurely by comparison.
Peugeot has proven that the electric hot hatch era can actually inject genuine thrills into small-car driving with the new Peugeot E-208 GTI, with sharp dynamics and entertainment as standard.
Kia has similarly hit the bullseye with the Kia EV4 GT, creating a true leccy powered hot hatch that successfully blends high performance with all the practicality of the standard car.
For everyday motoring, the Škoda Epiq received top marks. Scribes were impressed by the small electric SUV’s packaging and that, despite its size, it never feels compromised.
The Losers
Leapmotor failed to set the world alight with the Leapmotor B03x. While undeniably spacious inside, this new model proved to be frustrating out on the road, hampered by clunky cabin ergonomics and a subpar infotainment setup that spoilt an otherwise practical layout.
SGMW Web Watch:
GAC Aion adds the UT to the UK market – Frankie Youd
Only a few months after launching the V SUV in the UK, Aion has revealed that the UT will be the second model to arrive on the roads of Blighty. Frankie Youd gives the full lowdown on the new B-segment hatchback for Just Auto.
First drive: Toyota Yaris Cross review – new face, familiar strengths – Phil Huff
The Toyota Yaris Cross has received a mid-life update. The big news is the new face and new headlights at the front, along with a raft of tech and interior tweaks. But is it the small hybrid SUV to buy? Phil Huff gets behind the wheel for Average Joe’s.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander review – Maxine Ashford
After a five-year absence, Mitsubishi has finally returned to the UK with the new Outlander PHEV. The old model was a massive hit with UK buyers when it arrived back in 2014, but can the new model hit the same lofty heights? Maxine Ashford gets behind the wheel to find out.
The hot hatch that talked! MG Maestro S 1600 – the rare one! – Matt Richardson
The standard Austin Maestro wasn’t a car to get the pulse racing when it launched in the early 1980s. To fix this, Austin stuck an MG badge on the nose and gave it a bit of a sporty makeover while banning beige from the colour options – and the MG Maestro was born. Not only that, but it also got all of the talking dashboard tech from the standard car, which mainly warned of imminent overheating issues.
Matt Richardson takes an ultra-rare S-engined model for a spin to find out if it’s worthy of the hot hatch moniker.
SGMW Social Watch:
In shocking news, Chris Rees confirmed his picks from the Historic Auctions in Ascot, with only one Italian car among them.
Tim Pitt gets behind the wheel of the Peugeot E-208 GTI by giving it ‘the beans’ as they say.
Shane Wilkinson spots a lovely and rather clean looking Peugeot 106 slightly obscured by some Italian car.
Frankie Youd gets inside a room with the new Dacia Spring to deliver the full low-down on the brand’s updated electric city car.
