Welcome to the latest installment of the SGMW happenings, our monthly update on what the group’s members have been up to, along with a look at what’s gone on in the automotive industry.
The summer months are typically busy for the automotive industry, and June was no exception with a multitude of new car teasers, reveals, first drives, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
SGMW Latest: 2025 Kia Driving Day: a day of heritage thrills and electrifying fun
Here, you’ll find the highlights of what the group got up to last month, which include some profanity, a very expensive Ford, a new carbon Ferrari, as well as some actual car reviews.
SGMW Car Launch Watch:
We start with cars you cannot buy: the Porsche 963 RSP – a one-off race car for the road based on the 963 hypercar. Yes, the one that’s raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Best of all, the road-going 963 has a registration plate from the US state of Alabama of all the random places.
In cars you can actually buy news; the lovable Toyota Aygo X also got an update last month with a new hybrid model breaking cover. It gets the hybrid engine from the Yaris supermini, and Toyota says this new model is even more efficient and has better performance.
Other highlights from June include the new Audi Q5 e-hybrid PHEV, which can now do 62 miles on battery power. At the other end of the automotive spectrum, Peugeot has revitalised the GTi badge with the new e-208 GTi. It gets 276bhp and can manage 0-62 in just 5.7 seconds. Stats that make it the quickest Peugeot ever produced. Exciting stuff indeed.
Lastly, the new Nissan Leaf has been revealed. However, gone is the dowdy design, with the new model being reinvented as a slippery-looking SUV. Nissan says it’ll do up to 375 miles on a single charge – a figure that puts the 212 miles offered by the old car firmly in the shade.
SGMW Test Drive Watch:
Last month, there were several podium finishers that won praise from critics. The new MGS5 EV was deemed to be a good all-rounder but lacking in flair. At the more premium end of the market, the Volkswagen Tayron scored well thanks to its styling and great practicality.
Other winners that received positive reviews include the tiny BYD Dolphin Surf, with most reviewers confirming it represents great value for money as one of the cheapest cars in the UK. The new DS No8 was also well received by testers as well, being branded as a return to form for the French luxury car maker.
Oddly, last month mainly gave rise to plenty of positive reviews from testers; maybe it’s the heatwave. However, there was one car that didn’t rate as well as expected, the Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology – with its boxy design receiving some criticism for making it inefficient. I mean, its design was always going to be an issue, wasn’t it?
SGMW Web Watch:
Sympathy for the Devil: How Eccentrica reinvented a Lamborghini – Tim Pitt
The Eccentrica Diablo is a restomod that turns a standard Diablo into a sculpted carbon fibre clad monster with 550hp. Tim Pitt gets the full lowdown on this stunningly modified Diablo for City A.M.
Read the City A.M. review here
The Best Estate Cars In 2025 – Phill Tromans
Want an estate car that can do it all? Phill Tromans runs through the very best estates on sale today for Car Throttle.
Read the Car Throttle Article here
New Nissan Leaf uncovered as slick SUV with mighty 375-mile range – Natalie Middleton
The new Nissan Leaf is here, and it’s had a substantial makeover. The trailblazing EV has been reinvented as an SUV with a sleek design, all-new tech, and a 375-mile range figure. Natalie Middleton breaks down the details for Fleet World.
Read the Fleet World story here
New BYD Dolphin Surf review – Maxine Ashford
The dinky BYD Dolphin Surf is the latest small EV to enter the UK market. It’s keenly priced and funky looking, but can it wow the UK buying public? Maxine Ashford puts it to the test for the Car Journo website.
Read the Car Journo review here
SGMW Social Watch:
In driving news, Stu Bird goes for a (very long) drive in his lovely Fiat X/19
Chris Rees travelled to Le Mans and took some pictures of the new and ‘muchly carbon’ Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale.
Phill Tromans takes the new GVM Haval Jolion Pro for a spin. And yes, of course we know what it is – and we didn’t Google it either. Promise.
News Flash: Tim Pitt reveals that we are now in the time of the £60k Ford Capri. No, seriously, this is the price of his press loaner with options. Very much ouch.
