2025 Mazda CX-80 review: flagship-worthy style, tech, and smoothness
One of the interesting asides in attending a car driving day is the random bits of knowledge you pick up along the way. I was invited to attend the Mazda CX-80 event at Amber Lakes just off the M25 near Heathrow airport. I stopped to take some pictures in a lay-by on the complex before […]
Southern Group Happenings: December 2024
As the calendar clicked onto December with the end of the year now firmly on the horizon and the Christmas list being hastily written, the Southern Group kept up their productive pace in the run-up to the festive season. Yes, there was the usual number of automotive-themed events, free calendars, some Christmas gifts from manufacturers, […]
Southern Group happenings: October 2024
As autumn arrives in the UK, the members of the SGMW have continued to be as busy as ever. Last month, highlights from our members included (yet more) camping on top of cars, a varied mix of new drives, the reveal of the first-ever Kia pickup, and of course a large number of social media […]
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 […]
SGMW Honda UK press garage drive day
Last month, the Southern Group was invited to visit the Honda press garage in Bracknell for a drive day. The day’s itinerary promised members the chance to drive a selection of the brand’s latest crop of performance, hybrid, and electric models, along with a selection of models from its heritage fleet on the surrounding country […]
Southern Group happenings: May 2024
As the month of May came and went, members of the Southern Group were kept busy with the usual influx of new car reveals and first drives, all while enjoying the bank holidays and warmer or possibly stormy weather conditions. Last month, it seemed that motoring PRs were busier than ever, revealing an array of […]
Southern Group happenings: April 2024
As summer fast approaches, it’s been another busy month for the Southern Group. Again, our members have been busy delivering a varied array of drives, news, and features, along with hundreds of social media posts detailing what they’ve been up to. In April, it was with great sadness that we announced the passing of Ray […]
SGMW Sue Baker Memorial Karting GP: annual karting event speeds into 2024 to raise money for WOMAC
The Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ (SGMW) annual Sue Baker Memorial Karting Grand Prix made a triumphant return, with the 2024 race proving to be a close fought one brimming with excitement. Since its inception, the SGMW Karting GP has raised over £30,000 for charity. For last year’s race, the event was renamed in honour […]