The Goodwood Festival of Speed (FOS) is back for 2016 and will once again offer attendees a huge number of cars to admire either at the stands or on track.
Many cars due to arrive in the UK later this year and in 2017 will make their first UK public appearance during FOS. Many of them will not only be on display but will join the vast array of race cars both modern and historic that’ll take on Goodwood’s famous hill climb course.
Here we’ll round-up the manufacturers attending this year’s Goodwood show and the new models of intrigue they are showing off. We’ll also highlight other FOS attractions to look out for.
Abarth
Fiat’s all-new convertible sports car, the 124 Spider, is close to its UK launch and we recently test drove the car too. But at this year’s Festival of Speed, a spicier performance version of the 124 Spider will be presented by Abarth – Fiat’s performance brand.
Starting from £19,545, the Abarth 124 Spider boasts 168bhp from a turbocharged petrol engine, that’s 50bhp more than the regular Fiat model. It also has unique and sportier styling details including a contrasting matt black bonnet.
Alfa Romeo
The much-discussed Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon will make its first UK appearance in the metal during this year’s FOS. The range-topping Quadrifoglio version with its 503bhp V6 petrol engine will be one of the star cars to take on the 1.16-mile Goodwood hill climb.
Having previously sampled both the regular Giulia with its 2.2-litre diesel engine and the V6-run Quadrifoglio, we can’t wait to try out Alfa’s new saloon on Britain’s roads.
Audi
Several new Audi models will make their first UK public appearance, including the German brand’s new small crossover, the Q2.
This car will be joined by the new TT RS coupe, the latest S5 coupe and the new offroad-focused version of Audi’s A4 estate, the Allroad.
BMW
Every year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the event’s organisers like to pay tribute to one manufacturer in particular which is celebrating a historic landmark. This time around it is BMW taking centre stage, with the brand marking its centenary year in 2016.
The always-spectacular central sculpture in front of Goodwood House this year is dedicated to BMW. The line-up of BMW cars at the Festival will include rare classics like the 1957 BMW 507 and the 1965 BMW 1800 TiSA.
Bugatti
Bugatti’s new hypercar, the Chiron, wowed many people around the world when it made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show back in March.
Now this 1,479bhp monster will make its first UK public appearance during this month’s Festival of Speed. The Bugatti Chiron will even take on Goodwood’s hill climb route, although it’s very unlikely it’ll reach its top speed of 261mph on Lord March’s driveway.
Dacia
The focus of attention at Dacia’s Goodwood stand this year will be its updated Duster. The small SUV is receiving a facelift which is available to order now with deliveries following next month.
Starting from just £9,495, the updated Duster has a new 1.2-litre turbo petrol unit with 123bhp and a new and more luxurious trim level called Prestige.
Ford
Ford at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will show off its new, even hotter version of the ST hot hatch, called the ST200.
Look out for our review of the Ford Fiesta ST200 in the near future.
Honda
Honda will be putting cars on display at Goodwood this year on a spectacular stand inspired by the toy garage sets many car enthusiasts played with as toddlers.
Most of the models Honda are bringing are already firmly established now. However, this year’s FOS will be the first one where Honda’s new NSX supercar will be shown to the wider public, rather than just a small number of attendees.
Jaguar
Jaguar fans will be keen to get a close look at the phenomenally fast F-TYPE SVR coupe, which will take on Goodwood’s hill climb course.
Lexus
This year’s Festival of Speed will mark the UK public debut of the new Lexus LC coupe. The car will take on the Goodwood hill climb in its range-topping, V8-run LC 500 guise.
Maserati
Maserati’s first ever SUV, the Levante, will be pushed to its limits on the Goodwood hill climb course. The car will also appear alongside Maserati’s Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons.
Mazda
The big reveal from Mazda at Goodwood this year is the UK public debut of the MX-5 RF, the retractable hardtop version of its popular sports car.
A special edition version of the MX-5 called the Icon will also appear and the limited-production car features two unique paint jobs and other new exterior updates.
Mercedes
After many weeks of teasing, Mercedes will finally reveal its new AMG GT R at this month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
This is the most hardcore version yet of the 911-rivalling AMG GT sports car and it ramps up power from Mercedes’ 4.0-litre V8 from 456bhp to 577bhp.
Nissan
The facelifted 2017 version of the Nissan GT-R supercar will make its first UK appearance and take on 1.16-mile hill climb route.
Now boasting 20bhp more than before, taking total output to 562bhp, this Japanese supercar will be a strong contender for quickest road car through the timed hill climb this year.
Porsche
Porsche will reveal the 911 Endurance Racing edition, which celebrates the manufacturer’s heritage in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Porsche won the Le Mans endurance event last year and took victory again earlier this month in dramatic fashion when the leading Toyota suffered a technical fault just a few minutes before the end.
Renault
A sportier version of the Renault Twingo, the recently revealed Twingo GT, is making its global public debut at this year’s Goodwood show.
Also present is the Clio R.S. 16 Concept which will be a static display and has only previously appeared at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Tesla
Tesla’s practical and technologically advanced Model X will make its long-awaited UK public debut at Goodwood this year.
The fully-electric family car is starting from £72,280 and first UK deliveries are expected to take place near the end of this year.
Vauxhall
To show off the impressive speed and practicality of its Maloo LSA, the V8-powerd pick-up will take on the Goodwood hill climb while carrying Vauxhall’s first ever car – the 5HP – in its load bed.
Even while carrying a 272kg vehicle in its rear, Vauxhall reckon the 536bhp Maloo LSA will be able to complete the hill climb in just 55 seconds.
Other attractions
Besides the vast line-up of cars, another major attraction of the Goodwood Festival of Speed every year are the famous race drivers and racing teams that show up.
Both Mercedes F1 team drivers – Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg – are in attendance at this year’s festival. Several other F1 teams including Ferrari will also bring show cars to the event. Look out as well for special guest appearances from several British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) drivers and a Formula E car, which will be the first ever to appear at Goodwood.
