Last month was a bumper month in automotive and for Southern Group members. A quick rough count of new content produced by our members stood at over fifty articles and videos, as well as many more print exclusives.
The car industry was also busy in April as well. With a veritable flurry of new car reveals, with highlights including the new Volkswagen ID. Polo, the Morgan Supersport 400, and the new polarising-looking Nissan Juke.
There were a large number of new first drives as well, ranging from Chinese super-EVs to small affordable hybrid SUVs.
Read on for a round-up of the best of the reveals, test drives, and all of the best content produced by SGMW members in April 2026.
SGMW new car reveals
The month kicked off with the small with the new Smart #2 concept, which arrived with gold trim and white tyres (?!?). It’s slated to arrive later this year, and it’s expected that it’ll be pretty similar to the concept car – less the white tyres, of course.
The new Morgan Supersport 400 also grabbed the headlines, as the new 402bhp sports car is the brand’s most powerful ever. Retro themed speed indeed.
In normal car news, there was a flurry of new arrivals last month, including the aero-efficient looking Hyundai Ioniq 3 and the facelifted Toyota Yaris Cross that now has a new face. Volkswagen went for a double EV reveal with the new ID. 3 Neo, a heavily updated version of the old car, and the all-new ID. Polo.
The arrival of the new Nissan Juke also made a sizable impact as well, mainly due to its hexagonal design. Some will like it, some will hate it. With body repair shops likely to fall into the latter camp.
Just in time for summer, the Porsche 911 S/C got its unveiling after much teasing. It is a GT3 convertible in all but name, one that Porsche claims is no different to drive compared to its fixed-roof counterpart. Kudos to Porsche for producing a car that no one asked for, which now everybody wants (including this writer).
Finally, the new Freelander 8 arrived. A quick warning, you must not call a Land Rover. Not ever. While it wears the Freelander badge and its styling owes vast amounts of inspiration to the current Defender, it is the product of a partnership between JLR and Chinese brand Chery. It’s also coming to the UK in 2027 and will spawn a whole family of Freelander branded models.
SGMW test drive watch: winners and losers
We start with a rarity, the new Volvo ES90, an actual saloon car in 2026! Reviewers were full of praise for this Swedish EV, branding it a strong alternative to the typical German options.
Elsewhere, Kia’s run of good form continued with the EV2, which received strong scores across the board thanks to its spacious interior and efficient powertrain. The new Mercedes GLB Electric also scored well, too, being marked as a significant move forward from the old model.
The Denza Z9GT also won over motoring hacks as well, thanks to its mind-boggling hypercar numbers for the price of a premium coupe.
Moving on to the losers from April, and it’s not good. Leapmotor had a month to forget, with the C10 Hybrid EV and B10 Hybrid EV both receiving average review scores. The Zeekr 8X also received early verdicts as well, with the 1,381bhp PHEV SUV only managing middling ratings due to its driving experience. Proof that absolute power cannot make a car drive well.
SGMW web watch:
Stretch Princess – Woodall Nicholson Kirklees limo – Matt Richardson
If you had to recommend a car for a mayor in the 1970s, the Woodall Nicholson Kirklees limo would have been a top pick. Based on the Austin Princess, this stretched rarity is a coachbuilt example of the limousines of old. Matt Richardson takes a look at one for his FuriousDriving channel.
This Lego Renault 5 Turbo 3E looks good enough to become a real set – Phil Huff
If you can’t afford the £150k price tag for the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, then Phil Huff has found a solution; a scale-sized Lego replica.
Read the Average Joes story here
All-electric Volkswagen ID.Polo revealed with 282-mile range – Phill Tromans
The new Volkswagen Polo is here, and it’s electric! Now called the ID. Polo, VW’s new small EV gets up to 282 miles of range. Phill Tromans runs through the details for Honest John.
Read the Honest John news story here
Beijing Auto Show: China Raises Its Winning Game – Neil Winton
As Chinese car brands look to further their sales share in European markets, Neil Winton reports on how they are leveraging the Beijing Auto Show to market their latest premium high-tech models.
SGMW social watch:
Daniel Bevis gives his verdict on the Geely Starray SUV. One that carries an accidental iconic Simpsons quote on the numberplate.
Maxine Ashford turns X very beige with these pictures of the new Volvo ES90.
Ben Hodges gets cold and wet while shooting a pair of budget friendly small hybrids. He may have also blocked traffic during the day as well.
In fraternising with other writers groups news, Stu Bird takes his Fiat X/19 to the track for the Guild of Motoring Writers Big Day Out.
