Welcome to the November edition of the Southern Group Happenings, the place where we run down what the group members get up to on a monthly basis.
In the penultimate month of the year, our members have been their usual busy selves, churning out all manner of content, including an opinion piece on used car buying, along with drives of the new Kia EV4, the updated Genesis GV60, and the flagship BMW i7 EV.
SGMW Latest: 1974 Ford Escort Mexico review: driving the fast Ford that started it all
Before we get to our member contributions and their frequent social media ramblings, we’ll take a quick run through of all the best (and worst) new car reveals and test drives from last month.
SGMW Car Launch Watch:
November started with the reveal of the new Mercedes CLA Hybrid. It joins the recently-launched EV model, and will be available with three different powertrain options. Swiftly moving onto cars you cannot buy, the futuristic-looking Peugeot Polygon concept was revealed, giving us a big hint as to what the next-generation 208 will look like (less the butterfly doors of course). Peugeot, please build it. Signed, all of us.
The not-very-catchy-sounding BYD Sealion 5 DM-i was also unveiled as the latest addition to the Chinese giant’s line-up. With its arrival bolstering the brand’s line-up to nine models in total When it arrives, this new plug-in hybrid model aims to steal sales away from the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.
In the cars ‘we really want but cannot afford’ section of the market, the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports arrived with brutish looks and a 657bhp V8 engine to match the aggressive visuals. If the power and looks aren’t enough, Bentley has upped the ante even more by making this new flagship model rear-wheel drive only, which should make it very good at smokey powerslides.
Lastly, an honourable mention must go to the Ford Focus. A model that finally ended production last month after 27 years. Having amassed some 12 million sales during its run, the Focus is a model that holds a special place in many a motoring journo’s heart, as while some models weren’t perfect, most were very competent family cars that were affordable, practical, and very good to drive. There is a certain sadness about seeing Ford’s long-running family car being put out to pasture, given its popularity among reviewers and consumers, as Ford looks to focus on electric cars in the near future. Sad times indeed.
SGMW Test Drive Watch:
We start off with a couple of cars that got reviewers’ pulses racing last month, with the BMW M2 CS and Hyundai Ioniq 6 both receiving praise and high scores from motoring scribes for their sporty driving ability, sharp handling, and level of involvement.
The back to basics Tesla Model Y Standard also received high praise as proof that a long-range EV doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Notably, the Standard trim level swaps large alloy wheels for smaller steel wheels and aero hubcaps instead and replaces the leather trim with a mix of textile and synthetic leather on the inside to tuck under the EUR 40,000 price point. However, it won’t be coming to the UK in the near future. Sad times indeed.
Finally, we move onto a big vehicle in the form of the new Toyota Hilux BEV, the brand’s first electric pickup, which was well received by reviewers, as it carries all of the the rugged ability from its ICE counterpart with minimal drawbacks.
SGMW Web Watch:
Want the best used car? Take a good look at the previous owner – Shane Wilkinson
Shane Wilkinson offers used car buying advice on why you need to look at a car’s previous owner when weighing up a potential purchase.
Read the Auto Express article here
Kia EV4 first drive review: The everyday EV with rock star energy – Phil Huff
Kia has been on something of a hot streak with its latest batch of models in recent years, but can the rather pretty EV4 hatchback continue it? Phil Huff takes the new EV for a spin to find out for Average Joes.
Read the Average Joes review here
Genesis GV60 review: more power, more range and more tech could mean 2025 update finally justifies the price – Jim McGill
When the Genesis GV60 arrived, it was deemed excellent but a bit on the pricey side. Now, the updated model has arrived with a higher range figure, more tech, and more sporty features. Jim McGill puts it to the test for The Scotsman to find out if the new model can live up to its lofty price tag.
BMW i7 2025 review – Tim Pitt
While the looks of the BMW i7 won’t be for everyone, there is no doubt it should offer a cosseting experience for passengers along with the brand’s typically sharp driving dynamics. But is the i7 the luxury saloon to pick? Tim Pitt gets behind the wheel to find out.
Read the Motoring Research review here
Will the Whizz Kid Work? – Matt Richardson (Furious Driving)
For his latest purchase, Matt Richardson picked up something of a rarity, a Suzuki Whizz Kid. A tiny Kei car. The trouble is, and this is not unusual, it’s broken. But can he get it running by installing a new fuel pump? Watch his latest Furious Driving video to find out
SGMW Social Watch:
Kicking off with an actual car owned by a member that’s not a press car is Tim Pitt, who took his lovely Mk5 Volkswagen Golf GTI for a drive and made a friend.
Made a Mk5 GTI friend (quite envious, actually, as I originally wanted a white one). pic.twitter.com/18C9BQtE98
— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) November 26, 2025
In weather news Chris Rees took a spin in the new Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider and found that the temperature matched the car’s name.
Temperature 12C #ferrari12c pic.twitter.com/0oJ8fssejR
— Chris Rees (@quillerrees) November 15, 2025
Quickly shifting to automatic news, Matt Richardson takes a drive in a Mk2 Land Rover Freelander 1.8 petrol that’s had an automatic gearbox DIY swapped into it. A project that we can only admire.
Lastly, Phill Tromans reminds us that he’s always been a handsome devil, even though in his F1 paddock days he was a bit pale looking.
