Southern Group Happenings: July 2025
As summer continues, so does the hard work for the members of the Southern Group during July with a flurry of events, new car launches, and drive reviews. In this month’s round-up we’ve got some advice on vehicles capable of seeing out the end of days comfortably, economical driving tips, how a 4 compares to […]
2025 Kia EV6 GT review: a rapid and involving EV for the drivers
The arrival of the Kia EV6 GT a couple of years ago marked the firm’s return to performance models. It was the first hot model since the brilliant Stinger fastback was discontinued a couple of years ago, and now the updated model is here with even more power, a bigger battery, and a new ‘virtual […]
Volvo XC90 V8 review: a V8-powered shrine to longevity
The first-generation Volvo XC90 is one of those cars that you hardly notice on the road. It is, after all, a large family SUV that has plenty of practical appeal that’s all very normal. Pick the XC90 V8, though, and this otherwise normal SUV becomes a whole lot more interesting. Latest: 2025 SGMW Sue Baker […]
Southern Group Happenings: April 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers (SGMW) Happenings. Here you’ll find the SGMW members’ latest ramblings that may involve test driving new cars and bikes, some armed police, and a birthday party for a car brand. Without further delay, these are the highlights from SGMW members from April 2025. […]
2025 SGMW Sue Baker Memorial Karting GP: Annual Karting Event Proves to be Another Thriller
The 2025 Southern Group of Motoring Writers’ (SGMW) annual Sue Baker Memorial Karting Grand Prix was held on 8th May at Team Sport, Crawley. In line with prior years, the 2025 instalment proved to be a thrilling race with plenty of competitive driving. Now in its eleventh running (in twelve years), the SGMW Karting GP […]
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 […]