Kawasaki Z 7 Hybrid review: Kawasaki in charge with hybrid motorbike first
A quarter of a century ago I drove the original Toyota Prius hybrid saloon, the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid car. The rest is, as they say, history, writes motoring writer Andy Russell. The Prius propelled four-wheel motoring into a new era of eco-efficiency even though, at the time, the hybrid hoo-ha was mind-boggling. Now […]
2024 Southern Group Heritage Day: test drives, laughter, catching up, and the love bug
As is now the Southern Group tradition, the month of August sees the group join forces with automotive PRs for its annual Heritage Day – and this year’s event was a memorable one. An excellent turnout of 20 members made the trip to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire. On the day, a […]
Southern Group gearing up for the 2024 Heritage Day
The month of August is always an important one for the Southern Group of Motoring Writers social calendar, as it’s when the group’s annual Heritage Day is held. This event is one of the most popular on the SGMW’s calendar, and is an opportunity for members to show off their classic cars and catch up […]
PR STARS, TOP CARS RECOGNISED IN 2024 SGMW NEW YEAR HONOURS
Electric cars charged to the top spots in the 2024 Southern Group of Motoring Writers New Year Honours. The SGMW annual awards, the first of the year, recognise the outstanding efforts of manufacturers, PR teams and individuals who excelled with magnificent models, memorable motoring and help SGMW members over the past 12 months. The awards […]
SGMW motors towards New Year Honours at SMMT Test Day South
The Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ pre-dinner gathering for SMMT Test Day South returned this year. The SGMW was kindly hosted by Suzuki UK, with a large number of members making the trip south to Oakley Hall, near Basingstoke in Hampshire, for a pre-overnight stay and dinner. Also invited were members of the SMMT, who […]
Miles of smiles at SGMW’s magnificent motoring trip down memory lane
A splendid line-up of old and new cars, fine company and glorious sunshine made for a brilliant Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ Heritage Day. The annual event was again held at the National Motor Museum’s corporate marquee at Beaulieu in Hampshire. A splendid turnout saw PR friends from eight manufacturers join 23 SGMW members for […]
Big SGMW turnout a real driving force at Kia test day
The annual Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ (SGMW) Kia drive day returned for 2023 for the second consecutive year. This year’s event was held at Rhinefield House Hotel, located in the New Forest, where SGMW members were given the chance to test 14 of the brand’s latest models on the surrounding roads. As with last […]
Sue Baker Memorial Karting GP raises record sum for charity
The annual Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ (SGMW) charity Karting Grand Prix returned for 2023 as a tribute to long-standing member Sue Baker. Sue, who was a pioneering force in motoring journalism, a long-standing SGMW member and former chairman, passed away in November 2022 after bravely battling Motor Neurone Disease. To celebrate Sue’s contribution to […]
Winning start to 2023 with SGMW New Year Honours
Top cars and PR stars have been recognised with Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ awards which welcome in 2023. The SGMW New Year Honours go to the manufacturers and PR teams and individuals whose outstanding efforts have gone the extra mile to make motoring memorable and help SGMW members over the past 12 months. SGMW […]
Motoring legend Stuart Bladon dies aged 89
The Southern Group of Motoring Writers is sad to learn of the death of Stuart Bladon, motoring journalist, car enthusiast and a stalwart of SGMW. We were delighted to catch up with Stuart, a retired SGMW member, at our Christmas lunch earlier this month. SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “Stuart was another motoring legend who […]