The best cars from the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The best cars from the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Autocar

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Join us as we break down all the best and most interesting new metal at this year's show

The theme of this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed is ‘Horseless to Hybrid’, which celebrates 130 years of technological progress. The central sculpture (seen our main image) carries an electric car for the first time, as MG celebrates its centenary with the new Cyberster.

Join us as we report live from the show, bringing you details of the best cars there.

*Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale*

Alfa Romeo's final combustion supercar is the head-turning 33 Stradale, so named because only 33 examples will ever be built.

It's offered with a choice of either electric or combustion powertrains, the latter being an updated version of the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Goodwood represents the first time it'll be seen in the UK.

*Everything we know about the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale*

*Alfa Romeo Junior*

Alfa Romeo's first mainstream EV is the Junior (née Milano), a small crossover that's promised to be the best driver's car in its class.

Entry-level Juniors put out 154bhp, while the top-rung Junior Veloce is boosted to 278bhp. There's also a 1.2-litre petrol-electric option with 134bhp.

It'll make its UK debut in the Electric Avenue at Goodwood.

*Everything we know about the Alfa Romeo Junior*

*Alpine A290*

In true hot hatch tradition, the Renault 5-based Alpine A290 borrows the powerplant from its bigger sibling, the Renault Mégane E-Tech. With 215bhp and a series of chassis tweaks, it aims to prove that EVs can be fun to drive. See it running up the Goodwood hill as part of the First Glance display.

*Everything we know about the Alpine A290*

*Alpine Alpenglow Hy4*

This rakish supercar could be one of the more important projects in Alpine’s history. It’s powered by a fairly conventional turbocharged four-cylinder engine with one key difference – it burns hydrogen, rather than petrol. Company executives have hinted that it could make production, but first it will be on static display at the Festival of Speed.

*Everything we know about the Alpine Alpenglow*

*Aston Martin Valiant*

A track-focused reimagining of last year's Valour commissioned by Fernando Alonso, the Valiant packs a 734bhp twin-turbo V12 that's mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It's set to make its public debut at Goodwood.

*Everything we know about the Aston Martin Valiant*

*Bentley Continental GT*

The next-generation, plug-in hybrid Continental GT will make a timed run up the Goodwood hill as the marque looks to prove it as the quickest version yet. With 771bhp, an official 0-62mph time of 3.2sec and a heavily reworked chassis, it’s in with a chance.

*Everything we know about the new Bentley Continental GT PHEV*

*BMW i5 Flow Nostokana*

A throwback to South African artist Esther Mahlangu’s 1991 art car, the i5 Flow previews BMW’s future e-ink paint technology. It’s capable of shifting the shade of the body panels at a moment’s notice, displaying a different colour, a message or, as here, a special livery. BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk recently told Autocar the firm is working to ready the panels for mass production, and that it’s possible we’ll see a finished version within “the next two years”. 

*Read our BMW i5 review*

*BMW 1 Series facelift*

BMW’s entry-level family hatch was recently overhauled, gaining a smoother new look and BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system inside. It’s making its public debut at Goodwood, where it will be shown in range-topping M135 guise.

*Everything we know about the BMW 1 Series facelift*

*BMW M2 update*

The M2 has gained 20bhp and 37lb ft of torque as part of a wider upgrade for the 2 Series coupé. The new version of the car will be shown alongside the M135, M3 Touring and the firm’s Le Mans Daytona hypercar, the M Hybrid V8. 

*Everything we know about the BMW M2 update*

*BMW M3 Touring update*

The M3 has gained new lighting and a 20bhp boost as part of its mid-life update. It will be displayed in Touring estate form at Goodwood.

*Everything we know about the BMW M3 update*

*BMW M4 CS*

This is a more hardcore version of the M4 coupé, with an increase in turbo boost pressure (from 1.7 bar to 2.1 bar) upping its peak power output from 523bhp to 543bhp. It’s also 20kg lighter than the regular M4, thanks in part to a new titanium exhaust silencer and various carbonfibre-reinforced plastic trim pieces.

*Read our BMW M4 CS review*

*BMW M5*

The new M5 makes the switch from pure-petrol to plug-in hybrid power, pairing a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 with a gearbox-mounted electric motor for combined outputs of 717bhp and 738lb ft. It will make a timed run as part of the First Glance display.

*BMW M5 prototype review*

*BMW Skytop concept*

This striking open-air sports car is a first look at a spiritual successor to the Z8, packing BMW’s most powerful road-going V8. It’s tipped for a limited production run of around “50 pieces”, according to van Hooydonk.

*Everything we know about the BMW Skytop concept*

*BMW Vision Neue Klasse*

The Neue Klasse is our first look at the next-generation 3 Series EV, harking back to the range of saloons that established BMW as a major player in the European market. It will usher in an advanced new platform promising 30% more range, 30% faster charging and 25% better efficiency than the firm’s existing electric cars.

*Everything we know about the BMW Vision Neue Klasse*

*BMW X3*

The fourth-generation X3 will make its global debut at the Festival of Speed. It touts a radical new look inside and out, plus a heavily reworked chassis that’s promised to improve both handling and comfort. 

*Everything we know about the new BMW X3*

*BYD Seal U *

Chinese firm BYD’s UK expansion continues with the Seal U, a plug-in hybrid family SUV majoring on refinement and economy. It will be shown alongside sibling brand Yangwang’s U8 luxury SUV in the First Glance paddock at the Festival of Speed.

*Read our BYD Seal U review*

*Callum Skye *

The first bespoke production car to come from former Jaguar designer Ian Callum’s new eponymous outfit, the Skye is an electric Ariel Nomad rival with 247bhp. It’s said to prioritise engagement, promising both a cosseting ride and good steering feel. The Skye will be shown in the Electric Avenue area.

*Everything we know about the Callum Skye*

*Ferrari SF90 XX Spider*

The first XX-branded road car packs an outrageous turn of pace, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 1016bhp and a 0-62mph sprint time of just 2.3sec. It will make a demo run up the Goodwood hillclimb.

*Read our Ferrari SF90 XX and XX Spider review*

*Ford Mustang GTD*

This wild 800bhp road-going racer will make its dynamic debut on the Goodwood hill. Order books for the new model opened recently, with it priced from £315,000 in the UK.

*Everything we know about the Ford Mustang GTD*

*Genesis GV60 Magma*

A more luxurious sibling to the celebrated Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric sports SUV, the GV60 Magma is tipped to use the same 641bhp dual-motor powertrain but tuned for the “gentleman driver”. It will make a timed run up the Goodwood hill as part of the First Glance paddock.

*Everything we know about the Genesis GV60 Magma*

*Helixx van*

British start-up Helixx aims to upheave the global van market with its new EV, engineered to L7e quadricycle regulations. It aims to establish an innovative franchise factory model inspired by McDonald’s, leasing vans to customers at a rate of just 20p per hour of use. Helixx will demonstrate its ‘factory in a box’ at the Future Lab and its cargo van will be running up the hill.

*Everything we know about Helixx*

*Hongqi E-HS9*

Chinese brand Hongqi will display this imposing SUV alongside its smaller stablemates, the EH7 and E-HS7, as it looks to build greater brand awareness in Europe. The E-HS9 will run up the hill as part of the First Glance group.

*Read our Hongqi E-HS9 first drive review*

*Lotus Emeya*

Lotus’s new Chinese-built Porsche Taycan rival will make demonstration runs up the Goodwood hill in both 603bhp S and 905bhp R guises. 

*Read our Lotus Emeya review*

*Lotus Evija X*

The Evija X is Lotus’s challenger for the Volkswagen ID R, taking a production-spec Evija hypercar and bolting on an aggressive aerodynamic package in a bid to take the Nürburgring lap record. It will make a non-timed run up the Goodwood hill.

*Everything we know about the Lotus Evija X*

*MG HS*

The all-new HS SUV, being revealed at Goodwood, promises to offer more interior space and a class-leading electric-only range from its plug-in hybrid powertrain. An MG insider suggests it’s based on the Chinese-market Roewe RX5 but restyled to suit European tastes.

*Everything we know about the new MG HS*

*Ineos Arcane Works*

Ineos’s new Arcane Works division promises to drastically broaden the scope of customisation available for the Grenadier off-roader. It will launch a series of limited-run specials, which customers will be able to tweak to their exacting requirements. The first of the bunch will be unveiled at the Festival of Speed.

*Everything we know about Ineos Arcane Works*

*Land Rover Defender Octa*

This new addition to the Defender line-up is Land Rover's most extreme 4x4 yet, packing the same twin-turbocharged mild-hybrid 4.4-litre V8 as its more road-focused sibling, the Range Rover Sport SV. It's making its dynamic debut at the Festival of Speed.

*Everything we know about the Defender Octa*

*Lanzante Tag Championship*

Take a classic Porsche 911 Turbo, shove an '80s-era Formula 1 V6 into it, and you get the Lanzante Tag Championship. It packs 625bhp and weighs just 920kg, all but guaranteeing it will be an absolute rocketship on the road. It will be revealed in full at the Festival of Speed.

*Everything we know about the Lanzante Tag Championship*

*Mini Cooper John Cooper Works*

Mini will demonstrate both the petrol and electric versions of the next-generation John Cooper Works (JCW) hot hatch as part of the First Glance display.

*Everything we know about the Mini John Cooper Works and John Cooper Works E*

*Red Bull RB17*

Red Bull’s first hypercar will be unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. With a 1250bhp V10, it is described by Red Bull Advanced Technologies CEO Christian Horner as Adrian Newey “unleashed”. Its reveal will be accompanied by a celebration of Red Bull’s 20 years in Formula 1, with demonstration runs for several of the brand’s historic racers.

*Everything we know about the Red Bull RB17*

*Renault 5 E-Tech Electric*

You will have the chance to poke around the new electric Renault 5 at the Electric Avenue, accompanied by EVs such as the new Mini Cooper E, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model 3 Performance.

*Everything we know about the Renault 5 E-Tech*

*Tesla Cybertruck*

This divisive electric pick-up truck is all but guaranteed to be one of the biggest attractions at the Festival of Speed. It will run up the hill in the First Glance group.

Everything we know about the Tesla Cybertruck

*Toyota GR Yaris H2*

Toyota will present a new, European-built version of its hydrogen-combustion GR Yaris, providing a first look at the future of how performance cars are fuelled.

*Yangwang U9*

Chinese EV-making giant BYD’s luxury arm will be demonstrating its new hypercar, the U9, on the Goodwood hillclimb. 

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