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Motoring

Electric vehicles shine at SMMT test day 2026

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The great and good of the motor industry gathered again this spring for the  Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) held its annual Test Day.  Held on May 21st, 2026, at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshireit was again an opportunity for mey to drive cars, renew acquaintances and generally network.

Mike Hawes addresses journalists at the briefing. Images courtesy of SMMT

State of the industry

The day began with an insightful address from Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO, who delivered his overview of the industry’s state of play. He walked ustryus through the challenges facing manufacturers – the relentless push towards electrification and potential barriers to trade that could reshape the landscape. A sobering reality check before we all headed out for the driving.

After the safety briefing – always a welcome reminder that Millbrook’s 700-acre facility isn’t a playground, despite how it might feel – it was finally time to head outdoors.

Behind the wheel

For one day each year, this proving ground, normally reserved for vehicle development and testing, opens its gates to journalists and industry experts. Last year’s event attracted over 280 media attendees with more than 180 vehicles on offer, and 2026 was even bigger.

Many newcomers

The growing number of Chinese brands were well represented with BYD brought six driveable models and a static preview of the upcoming DENZA Z9GT flagship, wheil Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo were well represented, with several models available for journalists to sample across Millbrook’s routes..

The working vehicle zone

A highlight for 2026 was the Working Vehicle Zone (WVZ), with a pre-booking system was a smart move to manage demand.

Other highlights

  • Kia and Hyundai – both had strong EVand hubrid line-ups on display.
  • Toyota – the new Prius plug-in hybrid and bZ4X were available for testing.
  • Honda – the e:Ny1 c rossover and Civic Type R were both present.
  • BMW – the new iX3Neue Klasse saloon, with a claimed range of 500 miles plus
  • Suzuki – the new Vitara EV was on the road route.
  • Farizan Vans – their new electric LCV impressed with its cavernous loadspace and competitive range.
  • Aizan – their upcoming SUV was on static display, with clever interior packaging.
  • KGM – their latest Rhino pickup and SUVs were on display, attracting plenty of interest.
  • Subaru and Isuzu – both brands had vehicles available for testing, with Subaru’s rugged all-wheel-drive models and Isuzu’s commercial offerings drawing attention.

Networking and atmosphere

Beyond the driving, Test Day remains the best networking opportunity in the UK automotive calendar. I caught up with old friends from various motoring publications and made some new contacts among the growing contingent manufacturers.

Final thoughts

As another Test Day drew to a close, it reflected on just how much the automotive landscape has changed. The SMMT Test Day continues to be a must-attend event. I’m already looking forward to 2027.

Coupe, electric, GENESIS, Motoring

Luxury GENESIS now even better

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GENESIS GV60 Pure

By Bill McCarthy

There is no doubt in my mind that Genesis, the luxury arm of Korean manufacturer Hyundai, is maturing impressively.  Parent brand Hyundai was once known for budget motors. No longer of course, but its upmarket GENESIS brand now feels thoroughly luxurious, competitive in the £50k-plus market, and packed with technology.

A recent facelift sees three model specs: the new rear-wheel-drive Pure, the all-wheel-drive Sport, and the high-performance Performance.

The Pure, tested here, focuses on efficiency and luxury, while the Sport and Performance add dual-motor traction and increased power, catering to buyers who prioritise grip and acceleration over maximum range. I previously drove the ridiculously quick, 490PS Sport Plus twin motor a couple of years ago, and although the new Pure lacks that kind of performance, like most electric cars it still offers plenty of pace.

Price and styling

This entry-level model starts at just over £53k, but the tested version – featuring a host of optional extras – bumped the price to well over £63k. Visually, it remains a show-stopper, with a slippery, aerodynamic profile offering luxury, performance and now an extended range via a larger 84.0 kWh battery. With a claimed 348 miles, range anxiety is pretty much dispatched. 

Striking exterior features include quad lamps, the distinctive Bentley-esque badge, a lower crest grille, and eye-catching alloy wheels.

High-tech features include an Electronically Controlled Suspension system, which uses the front camera and navigation data to recognise potential bumps and potholes, pre-adjusting the suspension.

Cutting edge cabin

Inside, the cabin looks and feels superb, with planet-friendly trims made from organic and recycled materials. Despite the dual panoramic touchscreen, a wealth of physical controls remains, making life simple for the driver. The interior is roomy enough and comfortable, with high-quality soft-touch finishes.

This test car came with the optional £2,930 Comfort Pack, adding an 18-way electronically adjustable Ergo-Motion driver’s seat, ventilation for the front seats, heating for the rear, and Premium Relaxation Seats for both driver and passenger. The rear seats recline and fold to increase boot capacity from 520 litres to a capacious 1,580 litres, accessed via the powered tailgate.

Additional security comes from a face recognition panel in the B-pillar, supplemented by a fingerprint recognition button near the drive controls. The door unlocks seamlessly as you approach, and the door handles pop out. Still, I wonder about the longevity of these features – it feels slightly gimmicky.

The cabin’s touch-controlled cockpit is dominated by a new single 27-inch panoramic OLED display that controls instrumentation and infotainment, while Genesis Connect Services offers cutting-edge over-the-air updates and smartphone integration.

The interior centrepiece is the so-called ‘Crystal Sphere’: press the starter, and the sphere revolves to present the automatic gear selector. Switch off the car, and it rotates back to deliver subtle ambient lighting. When indicating, cameras show the road ahead on the screen – an excellent safety measure.

 In additions, the innovative Active Sound Design (e-ASD) delivers three virtual driving sounds. 

Upgraded powertrain

Thanks to a larger battery powering a single motor, the Pure boasts a WLTP combined range of 348 miles. An accurate figure was difficult to obtain, but across all types of driving and sometimes inclement conditions, I estimated around 300 miles. 

When you do stop, the 400V/800V ultra-rapid charging architecture proves a game-changer, capable of accepting up to 240kW DC to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. Smart Regenerative Braking 3.0 with i-Pedal further helps to maximise efficiency.

Safety and Innovation

The test car offers a comprehensive list of advanced safety kit, including numerous warnings and alerts, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera with dynamic reversing guidelines, smart cruise control with lane assist, collision warnings and blind-spot recognition. 

The £4,170 Innovation Plus Pack adds a head-up display, digital centre mirror, blind-spot view monitor, surround view monitor, remote smart parking assist 2, parking collision-avoidance assist, and the excellent intelligent front-lighting system.

Verdict

The GV60 Pure has matured excellently and still looks the part with sharp styling, cutting-edge technology and cabin comfort. It is not cheap, but similarly specced premium models will cost much more.

Factfile

  • Genesis GV60 Pure 
  • Price: £53,300 (As tested: £62,605)
  • Mechanical: 229PS, 84.0kWh battery/single motor driving the rear wheels via single-speed auto gearbox
  • Max speed: 115mph
  • 0-62mph: 7.5 secs
  • Combined WLTP range: 348 miles
  • Insurance group: 45-49
  • CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
  • BiK rating: 2%
  • Warranty: Five years/unlimited mileage