Welcome to the first 2026 edition of the SGMW happenings, a month where motoring writers typically fail at their New Year’s resolutions within the first few hours.
After some reported excess over the Christmas period, the SGMW members returned to work with an even more prolific output than usual, with a flurry of new features, reviews, and news pieces.
January also got off to a strong start for the group as well, with the reveal of the SGMW New Year’s Honours, our annual awards that pay tribute to the best cars and the best PR stars. You can read about all of the worthy winners here.
Read on for the highlights of what the SGMW membership got up to in January, along with a brief overview of the news and all the important reviews.
SGMW New Car Watch
January was a busy month for Kia, who unveiled a total of four new models. First up is the new EV2 supermini, the brand’s smallest electric car to date, and one that promises a big range and plenty of space. Then there were the GT models; at the time of writing, you can only buy the EV6 GT (you can read our review here), but soon you’ll be able to buy the EV3 GT, EV4 GT, and EV5 GT. Essentially, if you want a rapid EV with faux gearshifts in any size, Kia has you covered.
In non-SUV news, and proving that other body styles are not yet dead, the Zeekr 7GT shooting brake also broke cover, along with the revised Xpeng P7+ – both models that will be close rivals to the Volkswagen ID.7 when they arrive late this year.
Heading back to small car news, the new Geely EX2 supermini has been confirmed for the UK market. This tiny electric car is a strong seller in China, so the brand will be hoping for more of the same when it arrives in Blighty with a range of around 250 miles.
Finally, we switch back to petrol power with the Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage, a reimagining of the legendary Veyron hypercar based on the Chiron Super Sport underpinnings. The trouble is, you can’t have one. Mainly because it costs EUR 8.8 million for one and because they are only building one. As for the FKP part of its name, this is named after its creator, Ferdinand Piech, the former head of the VW group who was one of the main drivers in the creation of the Veyron 20 years ago.
SGMW Test Drive Watch: Winners and Losers
Drum roll, please, for the winners:
After all the excess of Christmas, road testers around the UK were fired back into action with an array of new drives. We start with forbidden fruit in the form of the new Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain, a model that was praised for its space (lots), refinement (very good), and that despite its off-road ability, it’s very competent in both the ride and handling departments. A shame we cannot have it in the UK.
Our next winner had reviewers going all misty-eyed over the olden days of the hot, small Skoda thanks to the new Fabia 130, the new hotted version of the brand’s supermini. A model that was deemed as being rather good thanks to its power increase and extra kit.
Our final winner is the Toyota GR Yaris Gen2 Aero Performance. Basically a GR Yaris with more body kit than before. Obviously, reviewers loved the latest update to Toyota’s rally-bred hot hatch, but we wouldn’t expect anything less, as it is brilliant.
And an awkward silence for the losers:
First up is the Hyundai Nexo, a hydrogen-powered SUV which starts from £66,000. Which is a lot for a car that, according to some motoring hacks, is no match for a fully electric SUV. Painful words to read if ever there were any.
Our next loser of the month is the Smart #3 Brabus, which is perfectly good, aside from its tech, which spoils it. Oh dear.
SGMW Mag Watch:
This month’s mag watch marks the debut of Copacetic magazine in these hallowed pages, a bimonthly periodical for modified cars featuring slickly written words and top-notch photography, all helmed by the SGMW’s newest member, Daniel Bevis.
In Dan’s own words: ‘In Issue 5 we’ve got an exclusive feature on quite possibly the world’s coolest BMW E21, resplendent in retro 1970s Group 5 aggression but actually a brand new build, as well as a deliciously purple-on-purple E46 M3 wagon. And the breadth and scope of the features in-between gets pretty wild… we have the CALLUM Designs C-X75, finally giving the concept-turned-stunt-car the life it deserves, as well as a hardcore Peugeot 106 with a brawler attitude.
There’s an Oldsmobile lowrider and an off-road Ferrari, a VIP Toyota Crown Majesta and the HPA Mk4 Golf R32 from Gran Turismo (you know the one!), an extravagantly bewinged Honda NSX and the box-fresh Encor S1 restomod…
In addition to that, we’ve got a report from Essen Motorshow, a collector with some brilliantly deranged Fords, and a behind-the-scenes look at the UK HQ of Meguiar’s.”
Issue 5 of Copacetic magazine is available to buy here
SGMW Web Watch:
BYD Sealion 5 DM-i first drive review: Sensible, flawed, and priced to get noticed – Phil Huff
We kick off this month’s Web Watch with ‘Phil Huff tests a new Sealion.’ Not a title we ever thought possible. For clarity, Phil has been testing the new BYD Sealion 5 DM-i SUV for Average Joes, not an actual sealion.
Read the Average Joes review here
Best summer cars 2026: our top choices and where to drive them – Shane Wilkinson
With summer seeming very far away, given that it has rained for every day of 2026 so far, Shane Wilkinson looks ahead to warmer days with his picks for the best summer cars and where to drive them.
Read the Auto Express article here
Mini Countryman Electric gets range boost to over 300 miles – Natalie Middleton
All versions of the MINI Countryman Electric have received tech changes which give them more range, with the E spec now managing over 300 miles. Natalie Middleton runs through the details for Fleetworld.
Read the Fleetworld article here
The Brussels Motor Show highlights – Maxine Ashford
Last month, journos gathered in Belgium for the Brussels Motor Show, an event that saw 300,000 people attend last year. New models on display include the new Kia EV2, alongside the latest Toyota Hilux, along with a glut of Chinese models. Maxine Ashford runs through all the big stories for Car Journo.
Read the Car Journo article here
SGMW Social Watch:
Our newest member, Dan Bevis, proves himself more than worthy with a post pointing out the similarities of old car badges. Absolutely the kind of content we’re here for.
Very similar badges from completely different cars I used to own – a Mini and a Mk2 Cortina.
— 𝔻𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝔹𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕤 (@denialvibes) January 25, 2026
Someone once explained to me how this situation came about, but I’ve forgotten. Everyone outsourcing badge-making to the same company, probably. pic.twitter.com/bGegpUFCk1
Moving swiftly onto forgotten car brands, Chris Rees points out an obvious naming error with the Daewoo Racer II.
They should have called this the ‘Daewoo Hubris’ pic.twitter.com/IDL8m0Zx67
— Chris Rees (@quillerrees) January 13, 2026
Ah yes, the Rover Streetwise, a pseudo-SUV/crossover that was only suited to tarmac rather than mud of any kind. Despite its lack of ability to match its looks, Shane Wilkinson believes it belongs in a list of 50 modern cars that changed the world. And yes, we agree.
I fought hard for the Rover Streetwise, I really did! https://t.co/pZlgr2iWta
— Shane Wilkinson (@WilkiWheels) January 24, 2026
We finish this week with a car spot. This time Stu Bird has delivered with this beauty, a lovely Vauxhall Corsa B 1.2 16v. An utterly glorious thing.
