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 a 5 with a Renault badge on the front of it, a strange-looking Renault Captur, and a French pickup from Brazil.
SGMW Car Launch Watch
Starting off with cars you can never buy, Bentley introduced a glimpse of the future with its EXP 15 concept. A car that only has three seats with a design that is part SUV and part coupe. Yeah, the reception was varied on this one.
To bring us back down to earth last month, Mazda unveiled the new CX-5 SUV. The good news is the increased interior space and a new posh look; the bad news is that it has far fewer buttons on the dash. Thumbs down, we say.
Last month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed saw lots of new car unveilings, including the sleek-looking Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, a 641bhp M3 rival, while Maserati revealed the facelifted MC20, which is now called the MCPura – a name that sounds like a terrible DJ with an obsession for healthy homemade drinks.
Elsewhere Dutch tuner Re-Volve unleashed the Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition, a model that pays tribute to the Renault Williams. Just 25 will be built, meaning you’d better be quick if you want one.
Kia also released full details of its EV4 Fastback, which trades a minor amount of practicality for more style. Lastly, Chery announced it’s taking aim at the mid-size cost-friendly SUV market with the new Tiggo 7. A model that will rival models like the Dacia Bigster and Kia Sportage when it arrives later this year.
SGMW Test Drive Watch
This month’s winners start at the premium end of the market with the Lamborghini Temerario (which translates to ‘Daredevil’), which was described as a “stunning dawn of a new era” by Auto Express. Winning equally lavish praise was the BMW M3 CS Touring, a model that takes the standard longroof M3 and turns it up a notch or two – leading to it being praised as “the ultimate estate car.”
Other winners from last month include the Nissan Leaf and Ford Puma Gen-E, with both of these small electric crossovers earning high scores from reviewers.
In the losers section, it was a double whammy for Vauxhall, with the Mokka and Astra Electric earning middling review scores. Why? Well, in a sea of more talented rivals, the Griffin-badged models are struggling to stand out. Oh dear.
SGMW Web Watch:
The Torsus Praetorian Liberra might just be the most hardcore camper on Earth – Phil Huff
Want a campervan for the end of days? Phil Huff runs through the details for the apocalypse-proof Torsus Praetorian Liberra, a 13-tonne overlanding fortress on wheels with a luxury interior.
Read the Average Joes article here
I tried to visit nine countries on a single tank of fuel in the Omoda 9 – here’s what happened – Jim McGill
Our resident Scottish correspondent Jim McGill attempts to drive as economically as possible through nine countries on one tank of fuel in the Omoda 9 Hybrid. Did he make it? Or is he now living in mainland Europe? Read The Scotsman article to find out.
Read The Scotsman Article here
Ford Capri 2025 review – Tim Pitt
Is the reborn Ford Capri worthy of the iconic name? Tim Pitt overlooks the nostalgia of the badge by removing his “rose-tinted Ray-Bans” to give his verdict on Ford’s latest sporty electric SUV.
Read the City A.M. review here
Renault 4 E-Tech review: will this EV thrive like the Five? – Shane Wilkinson
Is a 4 better than a 5? Shane Wilkinson gets number crunching on the internet to work out if the new Renault 4 EV will thrive like the brilliant 5 EV.
Ford E-Transit Custom to get AWD variant from 2026
Ford has announced the E-Transit Custom electric van will get a new all-wheel variant next year. The new model will get an additional motor on the front axle and will be available in Tourneo MPV spec alongside the regular Transit cargo model. Natalie Middleton runs through the details for Fleetworld.
Read the Fleetworld article here
SGMW Social Watch:
While in Mallorca, Tim Pitt spots a Renault Captur that looks a bit iffy.
In Bertone news, Peter Nunn provides a visual demonstration of the iconic styling house’s finest work with an Alfa badge.
In walking news, Shane Wilkinson finds a few lovely French rarities while out for a stroll.
Ben Hodges visits the 2025 Festival of the Exceptional and falls for a small French pickup truck from Brazil.
