Highlights from the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed
This year's Festival of Speed saw the debut of numerous remarkable cars, including many recently announced ones making their first appearance in the metal. Here's a brief stroll across some of the participants from the marvelous 4-day event.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking its first appearance at an international event outside Italy. The 33 Stradale is Alfa Romeo's return to the exotic sports car market, albeit with a highly exclusive production run of just 33 units. Built by renowned coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, it features a stunning retro-futuristic design that takes inspiration from the jaw-droppingly gorgeous 33 Stradale of the 1960s. Under the hood, the 33 offers two unique powertrain options: The first is a twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers over 620 horsepower, the second is a fully electric variant, with over 750 horsepower and a driving range of approximately 240 miles.
Alpine A290
Alpine showcased a diverse lineup at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, highlighting its heritage, present, and future. The event featured the UK dynamic debut of the Alpine A290, the brand's electric hot hatchback, demonstrating its hill climb capabilities. The Alpine A290 is inspired by old-school rally cars, fitting given Alpine's history, and offers two single-motor powertrains: one with 174 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful option with 215 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, with a 52 kWh battery providing a range of 236 miles. The A290 is Alpine's bid to prove that electric cars can truly be fun.
Aston Martin Valiant
Aston Martin showcased an ever-desirable lineup of sports cars, with the limelight on the global debut of the Aston Martin Valiant. The Valiant is an ultra-exclusive, track-focused super sports car based on the Valour, commissioned by Aston F1 driver Fernando Alonso, featuring a Muncher-inspired design and paying homage to Aston Martin's Le Mans heritage and 80's V8 magnificence. It features a full carbon-fiber body and a 734-horsepower twin-turbocharged 5.3-liter V-12 engine driven through a 6-speed manual transmission. The Valiant is designed to be lighter and more playful, employing cutting-edge materials and reducing weight by nearly 250 pounds. Only 38 units will be made, all of which are already spoken for.
Auto Union Type 52
It may surprise you to learn that the recently revealed Tourbillon is not the first ever V-16-powered car. Among a few others, Audi had experimented with the layout much, much earlier than the Tourbillon.
Audi surprised everyone at Goodwood with the Auto Union Type 52, a sports car concept from the 1930s. Originally designed with a 16-cylinder engine and intended for both road and track, this "Schnellsportwagen" represents the innovation in the automotive industry at the time. Built by Crosthwaite & Gardner based on archival documents, the Type 52 features a mid-engine layout, bespoke suspension, and of course, the extravagant engine layout, all of which were well ahead of its time.
Bentley Continental GT Speed
The new fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT Speed made its first public appearance this year at Goodwood. Featuring a high-performance hybrid powertrain producing 782 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, it marks a significant advancement in performance as the most powerful road-going Bentley, while reducing CO2 emissions to 29 g/km. Its plug-in hybrid power train enables a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds, a top speed of 208 mph, and an electric-only range of 50 miles up to 87 mph. It features a new design with single headlights, enhanced side skirts, and a refined interior retaining the gorgeous leather and veneer accents found in the third-generation car. Alongside the coupe, the convertible GTC has debuted with the same hybrid powertrain, albeit with a slight performance deficit.
BMW
BMW introduced an array of new cars, including the much-awaited debut of the new BMW M5 in its seventh generation. This (considerably overweight) high-performance sedan marked an important moment in BMW history with its M hybrid system, producing 727 horsepower and marking a shift towards electrification for the M5 moniker. Accompanying the BMW M5 were exciting new additions like the new BMW M4 CS, a car that shares more than just two-thirds of the badge with the highly praised M4 CSL. Off the M stand, stealing the spotlight were cars like the color changing iFlow NOSTOKANA art car and the BMW Concept Skytop, a stunning open-top two-seater based on the 8 series convertible. At last, a BMW with an admirable front-end.
Evoluto Automobili 355
One of the most exciting appearances at the festival was a blue 355. However, this car wasn't a part of the Ferrari exhibit. Uk-based Evoluto Automobili revealed the stunning 355 by Evoluto, a remastered version of the iconic Ferrari from the 90s. The revived Ferrari features a 420hp naturally aspirated V8 engine, enhanced with new engine management and bespoke tuning for improved power and response, screaming all the way to 8,500rpm. The chassis undergoes extensive carbon fusing, improving torsional stiffness by 23%. Designed by Ian Callum, the 355 sports a new carbon body, a retrimmed interior, and extensive customization options. Only 55 units will be produced, each uniquely tailored to customer specifications. The car debuted at a private event during this years Goodwood Festival of Speed and will make its international debut at Monterey Car Week later in August.
Ford Capri
The Ford Capri made a comeback at Goodwood, although as an electric crossover rather than the original two-door coupe configuration from the 70s and 80s. Built on Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, the new Capri offers two trims: a base RWD model with a 282-horsepower single electric motor and a dual-motor AWD Premium version with 335 horsepower. Both models boast impressive range figures, with the base achieving 390 miles and the Premium 368 miles according to their WLTP test.
Ford Mustang GTD
The Ford Mustang GTD made its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a year after its reveal, showcasing its performance potency and captivating V8 soundtrack with multiple runs up the hill. This GT3-inspired road car, expected to cost around $325,000, aims to compete with the world's best track cars, boasting over 800 horsepower from its supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine. Ford also introduced two new paint programs for GTD buyers: an Extended Color Palette program with thousands of hues, and an Exclusive Extended Color Palette Lock-Out Option, which allows buyers to lock their chosen color from being selected by others.
Ford Raptor T1+
Ford also unveiled its Raptor T1+ rally raid car, announcing it will compete with no less than four of these super trucks in the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. Developed with Ford Performance's partner M-Sport, the Raptor T1+ is powered by a race-spec, dry-sumped, Coyote-based 5.0-liter V8 limited to 400 horsepower by FIA rules. Its spaceframe is made from T45 steel tubing, its body with carbon fiber body panels, resulting in a weight of 2,010 kg. With its 400mm of ground clearance and over 70-degree approach angle, the Raptor T1+ has been tested over 10,000 km in harsh conditions. It will first compete at Baja Hungary, followed by the Rallye du Maroc in October, before heading to Dakar.
Genesis GV60 Magma
Genesis debuted its GV60 Magma Concept as the first public appearance of a Magma model since its high-performance program launched in March. Led by racing legend Jacky Ickx, the GV60 Magma Concept and other models like the G80 EV Magma Concept and G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife took on the hill. The GV60 Magma Concept, set for production in Q3 2025, enhances the existing GV60 EV with improved battery technology, chassis modifications for improved handling, and distinctive design updates. Genesis intends to distinguish Magma models with exclusive features, such as specialized chassis components, a unique sound system, and an advanced human-machine interface.
Honda Prelude Concept
Honda unveiled the Prelude Concept, marking its European debut and confirming plans for production and availability in the UK and Europe. The concept, initially revealed at the Japan Mobility Show, presents a sleek, coupe design with a front-driven, hybrid powertrain likely based on the Civic platform. Emphasizing efficiency over outright performance, the Prelude Concept still aims to deliver dynamic driving capabilities and a driver-focused interior. Honda intends the Prelude to be the first in a series of enthusiast-oriented models, hinting at potential future successors to iconic models like the S2000.
Lotus Evija X
Lotus unveiled the Evija X at this weekend, marking its UK debut. This $2.3 million track-focused variant of the all-electric Evija hypercar recently achieved one of the fastest-ever lap times at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. However, the most notable moment came during the Supercar Run at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, when the Lotus Evija X crashed into a haybale barrier moments after starting its hill climb, ending its run abruptly. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed. The incident was live-streamed and captured in a YouTube video showing the car veering violently to the right after a smoky burnout. A commentator suggested that a computer software issue, not driver error, caused the crash.
MG Cyberster GTS Concept
MG celebrated its 100th anniversary at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a combination of past and future highlights. The event began with the Duke of Richmond leading a parade featuring his grandfather’s MG C-Type race car. New and old MG vehicles, including the MG Cyberster convertible and classics like the MGA Le Mans and MGC GTS Sebring, showcased MG's heritage and future prospects. The global debut of the MG Cyber GTS Concept was at the heart of the celebrations. Inspired by the MGC GTS Sebring's racing legacy, the Cyber GTS combines rear-wheel drive with an electric powertrain. Additionally, the new MG HS SUV debuted with petrol and plug-in hybrid models.
“MadMac” McLaren drift hypercar
Mad Mike Whiddett and Lanzante have collaborated on a remarkable project fittingly named "MadMac," a heavily modified McLaren drift car inspired by the P1 GTR. Despite its deceiving P1 GTR-inspired design, the car is actually based on a McLaren 650S GT3 chassis with custom body panels. Perhaps more noteworthy is that instead of the original McLaren V-8, the car features a bespoke three-rotor 20B billet engine with a large turbocharger, producing 1,000 horsepower. Managed by a Haltech ECU and equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox, "MadMac" is designed for high-performance drifting rather than traditional track racing. The entire project, from design to debut at Goodwood, was completed in just 100 days, a truly incredible feat.
Maserati MC20 Icona & Legend Editions
Maserati showcased a variety of their iconic vehicles at the Festival of Speed. Center stage is the MC20, more specifcally special editions like the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda. Each of them are limited to just 20 units, commemorating Maserati's racing heritage and the 20th anniversary of their return to motorsport with the MC12. These editions wear liveries inspired by past racing models and include exclusive customization options.
McLaren Senna Sempre
McLaren presented an emotive tribute to Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna with a McLaren Senna adorned in the Senna Sempre livery, a bespoke project from McLaren Special Operations (MSO). This car serves to be not merely a display of craftsmanship but an honorable homage to Senna's legacy in Formula 1 and his storied time at McLaren. Alongside this Senna road car, McLaren showcased the MCL38 Formula 1 car in a specially designed Senna tribute Monaco Grand Prix livery in May. Ayrton's nephew, Bruno Senna, drove his uncle's historic McLaren MP4/6 at Goodwood, the car that gave Senna his 1991 World Championship.
Mercedes-AMG GT Pro
Mercedes-AMG introduced the new AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, a mouthful of a name and a handful of a car. Powered by a Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo engine delivering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, it accelerates from 0 to 124 mph in 10.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 197 mph. Enhanced cooling systems, including additional radiators and optimized airflow, support the improved drivetrain performance. Subtle aerodynamic improvements such as carbon fiber components, active aerodynamics, and a fixed rear wing increase downforce and stability. The car also features standard AMG carbon ceramic brakes, 21-inch forged wheels, and advanced interior comforts like AMG Performance seats and steering wheel.
Mini John Cooper Works E Prototype
MINI electrified the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed with the debut of two John Cooper Works models. Leading the charge is the MINI John Cooper Works E Prototype driven by Charlie Cooper, the brand's first-ever electric model in the JCW lineage. Alongside the electric car was the petrol-powered next-generation MINI John Cooper Works Prototype #317, prepared by Bulldog Racing, with a unique camouflage design honoring the brand's historic Rallye Monte Carlo victory. Both models offer a glimpse into MINI's future performance offerings ahead of their official premieres later this year.
Polestar Concept BST
Polestar unveiled the Polestar Concept BST, a handsome coupe that serves to be Polestar’s first dedicated performance car since the Polestar 1. The Concept BST, finished in classic motorsport silver, features bespoke bodywork with muscular flared arches, an extra-wide track, and 22-inch forged alloy wheels. Its aerodynamic elements include a vented bonnet and an aggressive front splitter, complemented by the rather noticeable rear wing. This concept car is a culmination of Polestar's vision of high-performance electric vehicles, reflecting how the BST formula could be applied to future models. Polestar's expanded lineup at the event also included the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 electric SUVs and the Polestar 6 Concept, with the latter making its dynamic debut by participating in the hill climb.
Red Bull RB17
Almost unquestionably the car of the show, The RB17 was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, Design legend Adrian Newey, and Technical Director Rob Gray as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations. Designed by Adrian Newey and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the RB17 capitalizes on 20 years of Formula One experience and innovation that has led to six Constructors’ titles for Oracle Red Bull Racing. The RB17 features a two-seater carbon fiber monocoque chassis with a 1000 HP semi-stressed mid-mounted naturally aspirated V10 engine, redlining at an exceptional 15,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a carbon fiber gearbox developed by Xtrac. Weighing under 900 kg and producing more than 1,200 HP in combination with an E motor, the RB17 achieves F1-equivalent lap times and top speeds exceeding 350 kph, while remaining relatively easy to own and operate.
Red Bull Advanced Technologies oversees the entire process of designing and building the Hypercar, with only 50 units available for sale. Adrian Newey, Group Chief Technical Officer and the mind behind this project commented: “I had been mulling around the idea to take on the challenge to design our very own Hypercar, from concept to delivery, for many years and it has been a magnificent project and journey. For it to finally be the day we pull the covers off and see the birth of the RB17, is truly remarkable. The RB17 Hypercar embraces everything we stand for: undeniable power, speed and beauty. It is very adaptable in its abilities, and we made sure to design it as a two seater so that the thrill of driving at F1 speeds can be enjoyed with a friend or partner.” A multiple-championship-winning- winning Formula 1 team creating a bespoke hypercar for the first time in the company’s history? It almost sounds like McLaren in 1992.
Toyota GR Yaris H2
Toyota unveiled its experimental hydrogen-powered combustion engine in the GR Yaris, using the same hydrogen fuel system as the Mirai but with a modified internal combustion engine. Developed since 2017, this technology is also showcased in the hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport, which competes in Japan’s Super Taikyu race series. The GR Yaris featured a modified 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that runs on hydrogen, offering high performance with nearly zero emissions. Toyota aims to achieve carbon neutrality by refining hydrogen engine technologies through motorsports and promoting fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
ZENVO AURORA
Zenvo Automotive debuted its all-new Aurora models, the Agil and Tur, at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking their European public debut and a new chapter in the Danish marque’s story. Additionally, the limited edition TSR-GT participated in the daily Supercar Run on the Hill Climb. The Aurora is Zenvo's lightest and most powerful road car, featuring a bespoke 6.6-litre quad-turbo V12 hybrid engine developed by MAHLE Powertrain, producing at least 1,250bhp. The Agil is a track-focused model with increased downforce, while the Tur is intended to be a GT car. Both models aim to deliver an uncompromised driving experience, true to Zenvo’s principles. Zenvo is establishing a global service network with 13 locations to support Aurora owners, with production starting in 2026 at Zenvo’s Præstø headquarters.
