2026 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE BIGGEST CAR EVENT OF THE YEAR

The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed starts tomorrow, and this year is a big one. In addition to the rally stage, classic race cars heading up the hill, and tons of action everywhere you look, major automakers use this as one of their biggest stages to unveil and show off their newest sports cars, supercars, and technologies. This year will see dozens of incredible machines showcased from just as many brands. So, here's what to expect.

Alpine

Alpine A110 FUTURE Prototypes

French outfit Alpine will be showcasing the A110 FUTURE, a prototype for its next-generation A110 sports car with dynamic displays and runs up the hill. Built on a new-generation architecture, the prototypes in action will be electric, but we're led to believe the platform can accommodate combustion powertrains, too. This will be vital, as Alpine is still eyeing a launch in the US market, where the A110 would be the perfect rival to the next-gen Porsche 718 Cayman and production-spec Audi Concept C.

Apollo Automobil

Apollo EVO

Unveiled at the start of this year with one of the wildest exhaust setups we've ever seen, the Apollo EVO is making its public debut at Goodwood this weekend. The successor to the Intensa Emozione, the EVO follows a similarly radical philosophy with a wild design and a screaming 800-horsepower 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine. It'll be found among some esteemed company in the Supercar Paddock.

Ariel Motor Company

Ariel Atom 4RR

Famous for disfiguring Jeremy Clarkson's face on an episode of Top Gear, Ariel specializes in lightweight sports cars that look like scaffolding with an engine attached. And the 4RR dials the recipe up to extremes. Built to celebrate 25 years of the Atom as a model, the 4RR produces 525 hp from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (borrowed from the Civic Type R with some extensive modifications). But it couples that output with a curb weight of less than 1,500 lbs, resulting in a track weapon that makes 911 GT2 RS Porsches look slow.

Find it in the Stonedell complex of stalls and look out for it running up the hill throughout the weekend.

Audi

Audi Nuvolari

It was only unveiled a month ago, but the new Audi supercar, the Nuvolari, is already ready to show off and will be participating in show runs up the Goodwood Hill Climb. It's Audi's new halo model, slotting in above the vacant spot once occupied by the R8, and uses the Lamborghini Temerario's 10,000-rpm V8 engine and hybrid system to generate 987 hp — more than the Temerario itself. For many, this will be the first time seeing the car in the metal, or carbon fiber.

Automobili Mignatta

Automobili Mignatta Rina

Automobili Mignatta debuted the Rina sports car at last year's Festival of Speed, with a carbon fiber chassis, achingly good-looking bodywork, and a 5.0-liter V8 (a Ford Coyote V8 with specific tuning) to go along with it. This year, the Rina is back, but Automobili Mignatta will also show off design sketches for the Rina Coupe, previewing the forthcoming hardtop model.

BMW

M Concept Neue Klasse, iX5, 7 Series, i3, and M2 with M Performance Parts

BMW's got a big presence at this year's Festival, but the highlight will undoubtedly be the M Concept Neue Klasse previewing the next-generation BMW M3 electric, with four electric motors and a slew of new technologies. Alongside it, the new iX5 SUV, i3 Sedan, and facelifted 7 Series will be showcased, and for fans of the old-school BMW performance coupe, the M2 with M performance Parts that just set a new Nürburgring lap time this week.

Denza (BYD)

Denza Z

We'd normally not even mention a Chinese automaker, but Denza, a subdivision of BYD, is launching the ne Denza Z electric sports car that promises real competition to the likes of the Porsche 911. We know better than to automatically dismiss a modern Chinese performance EV, so we're curious to see what it's all about.

Ferrari

Ferrari Luce and 12Cilindri Manuale

Ferrari tends to keep a low profile at Goodwood, running a few cars up the hill but otherwise keeping to itself in a quiet part of the showgrounds where only VIP clients have access. That's not really any different this year, and while the Amalfi Spider, 849 Testarossa Spider, Purosangue Handling Speciale, F80, and various historic models will be doing duty on the hill, it's in Ferrari's hospitality where the newest Prancing Horse models will be on display. That's the Luce EV, which we don't expect to be very popular, and the 12Cilindri Manuale — the simulated manual version of the 12Cilindri that debuted late last week.

Gordon Murray Automotive/Gordon Murray Special Vehicles

T.50s Niki Lauda, Le Mans GTR XP1, S1 LM, and T.33 Spider VP12

Gordon Murray loves a Goodwood Festival of Speed showcase and this year, he and his team are showing off four cars. These include the first production T.50s Niki Lauda with its livery paying tribute to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa, the first prototype of the GMSV Le Mans GTR, the design model of the S1 LM, and a verification prototype for the T.33 Spider. Several of these will be heading up the hill with their Cosworth V12 engines singing to the fullest.

Hennessey

Hennessey Venom F5-M

Only 12 Hennessey Venom F5-M hypercars will be built, and the first customer car is making its public debut at the Festival of Speed. The M in its name represents the manual gearbox, a six-speed gated transmission paired to a 2,031-hp twin-turbo V8 engine that makes this the most powerful manual road car ever built. And it won't just be a static display either — Hennessey will unleash its thunder up the hill with Alex Brundle at the wheel.

Honda

Honda Prelude HRC Concept

In the UK, the Prelude is acting as an indirect replacement for the Civic Type R, which is why the Prelude HRC Concept is expected to garner plenty of attention. Mechanically, the powertrain remains the same, but the concept shows off a slew of Honda Racing performance parts, like carbon-fiber aero accouterments, a big wing, and some styling upgrades.

Hyundai

Hyundai Ioniq 3

This one's of no relevance to American fans other than the fact that it looks cool, and we're mourning the fact it'll never arrive stateside. The Ioniq 3 is Hyundai's smallest new EV and a baby brother to the Ioniq 5. Expect plenty of attention at the Hyundai stand, just off of Turn 1.

Italdesign

NSX Tribute by Italdesign

The chances of two new takes on the Honda/Acura NSX arriving at around the same time are extremely slim, but that's just what happened. Now, one of them will be on display at Goodwood. The NSX Tribute by Italdesign is based on the latest hybrid NSX, redesigned by famed design house Italdesign. It's a mix of retro and futuristic all in one, which is why it seems apt it'll be showcased in the New Classics area of the show.

Jaguar

Jaguar Type 01 Prototype

A final reveal is just months away, and this hasn't officially been confirmed as attending Goodwood, but the JLR display is bound to feature the Type 01's latest prototype. Last year, the concept was on show, and now that the electric luxury sedan is gearing up for its big reveal, Jaguar will want to capitalize on the wealth in attendance at Goodwood.

Kimera Automobili

Kimera K-39

Kimera is best known for Lancia 037 restomods, but the K-39 is something new. It may look vaguely like the aforementioned Lancia, but it's really a whole new car, built from the ground up in carbon fiber and powered by a twin-turbo Koenigsegg V8 with 1,000 horsepower. Last year, the EVO37 and EVO38 were among the loudest cars at the Festival, and we expect nothing less from the K-39.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini Urus SE Performante

Lamborghini has brought back the Urus Performante with an SE in its name, now with plug-in hybrid power and 801 horsepower. It looks more aggressive, hits 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, and will top out at 193 mph.

Lanzante

Production-Spec Lanzante 95-59 Prototype

Last year's reveal of the Lanzante 95-59 was one of the Festival's highlights, but a year later and with development nearing completion, Lanzante's most ambitious project will be on display in its latest state. As a tribute to the Lanzante-operated #59 McLaren F1 GTR that won at Le Mans in 1995 (hence the 95-59 name), it sports a central driving position and three seats, plus shrink-wrapped proportions and true grand touring capability.

Maserati

2027 Maserati Grecale, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio

Maserati is using this occasion to show off a facelifted lineup of 2027 models, notably the Grecale SUV and its two sporty twins, the GranTurismo and GranCabrio. With newly evolved styling, the Italian brand is hoping to revitalize itself at one of the world's biggest automotive events for high-end cars.

McLaren

McLaren 788 HS and M6GT

McLarens got a mega double at the Festival this year. It's already showcased the M6GT, a special one-off recreation of Bruce McLaren's first roadgoing sports car, but new teasers have also confirmed a new model, called the 788 HS, will debut tomorrow as well. The 788 HS is expected to be a hotter take on the 750S, representing a departure from the brand's prior use of the Longtail (LT) designation.

McMurtry

McMurtry Spéirling PURE

The production car that can actually drive upside down has reached final production status. A Goodwood Hill Climb record holder in early prototype form, the Spéirling PURE is the tiny electric fan car that customers will buy. It'll be on show this weekend, and who knows, maybe it can beat its own record of 39.08 seconds up the hill.

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, AMG CLA-Class

Not wanting to be outdone by its German rivals, Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance arm is planning two showcases. The first is the already-revealed AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, which is now a wildly-styled EV, while the second is a surprise unveiling of what we expect to be the AMG version of the CLA-Class.

Nichols Cars

Nichols N1A

Steve Nichols is a name you might not be familiar with, but he was actively involved in designing the 1988 McLaren MP4/4 Formula 1 car that won all but one race that season. Well, now his name adorns an incredible modern take on a Can-Am-style racer called the N1A. But this is no track queen, it's a road-legal machine that will be driving up the hill to showcase its thunderous 700-hp V8 engine.

Pagani

Pagani Huayra 70 Derecho

Pagani's latest masterpiece isn't a new Utopia. Instead, it's a new take on the older Huayra. The Pagani Huayra 70 Derecho hails from the atelier's Grandi Complicazioni division and celebrates Horacio Pagani's 70th birthday, the second of a trio of models that will do so. It's powered by the brand's signature AMG twin-turbo V12, and it has a real, mechanical gated manual gearbox. Magnifico.

Porsche

Porsche x Toy Story-Themed 911s

After raising $3 million for charity, a special trio of Toy Story-themed 911 Porsches will be shown to the public here at Goodwood. They include the incredible Buzz Lightyear-themed 911 GT3 RS, a 911 T inspired by Woody — including special denim-style paint — and a 911 Targa 4 GTS with signature styling to match the character Jessie. All three were painstakingly built by Porsche's Sonderwunsch customization program and sold to a private collector to raise money for charity.

Praga

Praga Bohema

Last year's Praga display included customer handovers of some of the first production models — including the first Praga Bohema to make its way to America with Show or Display exemption. This year, Praga's back with more cars, aiming to show off the incredible engineering behind the lightweight carbon fiber track weapons (that are still road legal) that are as quick as an Aston Martin Valkyrie around a track with nearly half the power.

Red Bull

Red Bull RB17

Goodwood was where Red Bull unveiled the RB17 a few years ago, but since then, the Adrian Newey-designed track car with Cosworth V10 power has undergone full development and is now ready to hit the track (or hill climb) for the first time. Drivers for the weekend will include Newey himself, along with F1 drivers Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda.

RUF

Unknown Model

The niche sports car maker that everyone confuses as a Porsche restomod builder — it's really an independent automaker in its own right — has teased something at Goodwood tomorrow, but has kept quiet on what it is. Whatever it happens to be, you know it's going to be amazing.

Toyota

Toyota GR GT and GR GT3

Toyota was a headline maker at last year's Festival of Speed when it showed up unannounced with two V8 sports car prototypes no one was expecting. They eventually became the GR GT and GR GT3, and this year, the unveiled cars will be heading up the hill again, this time with no secrets.

Zenvo

Zenvo Aurora Tur Production-Spec

Zenvo is no longer the laughed-at hypercar builder it once was, and its newest model, the Aurora, is ready to make some noise and prove it belongs in the same sentence as Koenigsegg and Pagani. At this year's Festival of Speed, the Danish brand is showing the final design of the Aurora in Tur specification (the slippery, high-speed AWD version with up to 1,850 hp), with two prototypes heading up the hill. They'll be joined by a show car of the Agil variant. All three will showcase the mighty quad-turbo V12 engine making this the world's most pwoerful V12 hypercar.

2026-07-09T02:24:55Z