As the end of the year fast approaches, the frantic activity of the Southern Group members has continued. Last month saw one of our members depart X (formerly Twitter) for a new social media platform, along with a surge of road tests, news, features, and the very welcome arrival of a new member.
Here, you’ll find the curated (or heavily censored) highlights of what the SGMW got up to last month.
Car launch watch: jaGuar causes outrage among people who don’t buy Jaguars and big family SUV news
Unless you happened to be living under a rock last month, you will have heard (or seen) the news that Jaguar has announced its rebranding with the release of a video featuring a group of wildly dressed models, the slogan “Copy Nothing,” a capital G, and no car. One that caused immense outrage from the internet and even some so called political figures.
What some may have struggled to work out was the actual news that Jaguar was trying to announce, mainly due to the barrage of negative comments. In a nutshell, the big news is that after discontinuing all of its current models last summer, the British brand plans to switch to an all-new lineup of pure EVs by 2026.
Mercifully, the rebrand reveal video was finally followed by a handful of teaser images of the new Type 00 Concept, a large, swooping GT-style design that’s a radical departure for the brand. Will it be any good? We can only hope so.
In cars that didn’t set the internet on fire with outrage, the new Hyundai Ioniq 9 was revealed last month. The new model is a vast three-row electric SUV that boasts futuristic styling that will become the brand’s largest model when it goes on sale next year.
It shares the same platform and large swathes of its tech with the Kia EV9, a car that is very well liked by members of the SGMW.
The EV9 also got an exciting update as well, with the reveal of the new 501bhp GT model that has the simulated gear-shifting tech borrowed from the Ioniq 5 N hot hatch. As nothing says family fun day out like a 2.5-tonne family SUV with paddle shifters and fake engine noise.
Test drive watch: Renault shows how EVs should be done, and the Volvo XC90 rolls back the years, again
Last month, road testers delivered verdicts on a varied array of new models. One of the highlights has to be the new Renault 5 EV, a car that received near-universal praise from everyone who drove it. With Renault showing the rest of the world how a reimagining of an iconic model should be done.
Volvo also showed that they can reimagine a popular nameplate with a well-executed update to the XC90. One that saw the new 2024 model receiving high praise from reviewers. Notably, this is the third facelift for the model after its introduction a decade ago.
Elsewhere the MINI Aceman was praised as a talented SUV thanks to a usable 200-mile range, while the new Vauxhall Grandland received plaudits for its class-leading practicality and varied powertrain offerings.
Lastly, we end on a budget-conscious note with the UK’s cheapest EV, the Dacia Spring. A model that has proven to be a big hit with reviewers for its £14k starting price, quirky features, and usability. At the end of last year, the Spring took the SGMW’s ‘One to Watch’ award in our 2024 New Year Honours, a title that was clearly very well deserved.
SGMW membership update:
Following his successful application, we’re pleased to confirm that Shane Wilkinson is the newest member of the group.
Shane joined Auto Express in 2021 and has since become a senior content editor. A role that sees him looking after the day-to-day running of the website and social media channels. In his previous roles, Shane has dabbled in many forms of content creation, including radio and podcasts. All of the SGMW membership would like to offer a very warm welcome to Shane.
SGMW web watch
Best SUVs to buy 2025 – Shane Wilkinson
With an array of excellent SUVs on sale which should you buy? Shane Wilkinson runs through his picks for Auto Express.
Read the Auto Express article here
2024 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross STEEL Edition review – Chris Manning
Chris Manning puts the new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross STEEL Edition to the test with a bit of antique hauling.
SGMW Member’s Cars: Richard Gooding’s 2014 Volkswagen Polo BlueGT
Our resident Volkswagen Polo guru Richard Gooding delves into all the details of his 2014 Polo BlueGT, including how he once won a fuel economy trial in it.
Temerario! A deep dive into Lamborghini’s 920hp hybrid supercar – Tim Pitt
The Italian word Temerario translates into ‘Daredevil’. A name we think is very appropriate for the newest Lamborghini. Tim Pitt runs through the details from the UK reveal event for the new model.
Read the Motoring Research article here
2024 Abarth 600e review – Maxine Ashford
The new Abarth 600e signifies the brand’s switch to electric power, but can it match the thrills offered by the old petrol models? Maxine Ashford drives the new 600e to find out.
Read the Car Journo review here
SGMW social watch
Chris Rees reveals what we all want for Christmas: a 1/24 scale model of a Honda City Turbo and a Motocompo. Yum indeed.
In worrying developments, Tim Pitt fears for the future of Jaguar.
After two and a bit years of driving his tiny Italian hot hatch, Ben Hodges says a sad farewell to it with a Celine Dion classic.
In Isle of Man news, our resident international correspondent Phil Huff falls for the charms of the island itself and a Skoda Octavia vRS.
In YouTube current events, Stu Bird breaks the cardinal rule of never reading the comments by reading the comments.
