Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019: show report and gallery

Other supercar brands were everywhere, Ferrari very prominent with the P80/C track special. Other debuts ideal for the Goodwood scene were Radical’s new road-going Rapture and the rare, harder-core BAC Mono R. Mercedes-AMG had a new, 415bhp A45, Mini was there with its new British-built electric car and Ford had the Puma compact crossover (in which it's investing much hope) plus the very surprising Ranger Raptor pick-up truck. Mark Webber appeared on the hill in a lightly disguised Porsche Taycan and Honda demonstrated its tiny e prototype at the other end of the electric scale. But carrying the EV gauntlet was the astounding Volkswagen ID R, which broke the hillclimb record that had stood for two decades in near-silence. 

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019: oddities and unexpected gems

Of course, there were plenty of anniversaries beyond Aston Martin’s. Goodwood honoured the career of Michael Schumacher by running several of his most successful F1 single-seaters on the hill – and producing team leaders of the time, Jean Todt and Luca di Montezemolo, to lend gravitas. Jackie Stewart’s career was also celebrated, with the champion driving several championship-winning single-seaters himself and watching while others were paraded. A fleet of Pagani Zondas and Huayras was on hand, because it’s now 20 years since the first. And Citroën drew attention to its centenary with the very different, very Citroën 19_19 concept for a comfortable electric touring car.

There was much, much more. More stuff than ever that was spectacular and new. Under the circumstances, it was next-to-impossible to choose a star of this remarkable British motor show (which is what it has become), but maybe the new De Tomaso company, now under Hong Kong ownership, aced it with the magnificent-looking P72. 

For sheer old-school beauty, the De Tomaso stood out from a packed field simply because of a wonderfully balanced, beautifully curvaceous shape considerably at odds with a surrounding field of supercar shapes that seemed chiseled and brutal. It all served to prove, as so many things did over this extraordinary weekend, that cars are still loveable, amazing and awe-inspiring in every form imaginable. If the Goodwood Festival of Speed has one abiding mantra that has so far lasted 26 years, this is it.

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Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio AR Racing editions

Alfa Romeo is celebrating its return to Formula 1 with two special-edition variants of the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The limited-run 'Alfa Romeo Racing' versions of the performance saloon and SUV gain a red and white livery and come with the brand's Sparco carbonfibre-shell bucket seats fitted as standard. Only a handful will b on sale in the UK, making this weekend one of the rare chances for the public to see them in action.

Aston Martin

Aston’s presence at Goodwood 2019 is bigger than ever, as the brand celebrates the 50th anniversary of its fabled 1959 Le Mans victory with an extensive display of its most revered models. 

The new DBS Superleggera Volante is heading up Aston's collection, and makes its dynamic debut on the hillclimb. Revealed in May, the £250,000 model features a 715bhp 5.2-litre V12, with Aston claiming a “sensory overload” thanks to the electric folding soft-top. 

The recently launched hardcore Rapide AMR, and its seven-speed manual gearbox stablemate, the Vantage AMR, are also on display. The firm's new Rapide E is putting its 602bhp all-electric powertrain to the test on the hill, and this weekend is the first chance for the public to hear the upcoming DBX SUV driven in anger.

Making its UK debut is the newly completed DB4 GT Zagato Continuation (fresh from its first public appearance at Le Mans last month), which will sit alongside the Vulcan AMR Pro, Aston's current World Endurane Racing Vantage GTE, and a selection of Vanquish Zagatos. 

Audi R8 LMS GT2

The most powerful version of Audi's R8 supercar ever made was custom-built for the emerging GT2 class, which will become a full-fledged race series in 2020 to bridge the gap between GT2 and GT4 racing. The 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 now produced 640bhp, with a dramatic aero upgrade helping it breathe easier. 

Gentleman racers looking for their next track day toy can place an order today, with the first cars being delivered by next summer.

BAC Mono R

It's been eight years since Cheshire-based Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) first launched the Mono single-seater. Now, at long last, the company is turning up the wick with a new version heading to Goodwood.

The Mono R might not look dramatically different from the original car, but it sports a newly modified engine and brand new body panels to make it even more of a track day monster.

Bentley Flying Spur

Bentley revealed the new Flying Spur late last month, and it is being shown in static and dynamic form at Goodwood. The luxury four-door is taking aim at the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Based on the platform of the Continental GT, it is the first Bentley to feature all-wheel steering - while it promises to offer the firm’s most tech-laden cabin yet.

Citroen Ami One/19-19 

Citroen is celebrating its centenary at the 2019 Festival of Speed. Alongside a huge variety of iconic classics spanning its history, two futuristic concepts have made their UK debut. 

The first is the Ami One, a quirky, budget two-seater that meets Europe’s quadricycle regulations and could be driven without a licence in some countries. The second (below) is even more radical: the 19_19 is a comfort-focused electric car designed to envision autonomous long-distance travel. 

De Tomaso P72

De Tomaso, the Italian performance brand that’s been dormant since its founder died in 2003, is making a dramatic return at this year's Festival.

Backed by a Hong Kong-based venture, It is celebrating the brand’s 60th anniversary with an all-new, V8-powered mid-engined P72 sports car. The 1960's inspired model takes influence from the iconic Pantera, but with a modern twist and opulent interior.

Extreme E

An all-new electric off-road series, launched in partnership with Formula E, made its debut on the second day of this year's Goodwood. The Extreme E weighs 1650kg and protects its driver with a niobium-reinforced steel alloy frame, crash structure and roll cage. Its electric motor produces up to 542bhp, which promises a 0-62mph time of around 4.5 seconds, at gradiants of up to 130%.

The series aims to take in all climates and terrains, and should make for exciting when the series begins in 2021.

Ferrari

One-off Ferraris always attract a lot of attention, so the first public appearance of Maranello's bespoke P80/C track car was guaranteed to assemble quite a crowd. 

Based on the firm's 488 GT3 racer, the P80/C was built over four years for an unnamed collector and making a dynamic debut on the hillclimb. The one-off will is joined on the course by the F12tdf-based SP3JC, a 769bhp V12-powered convertible with a transparent bonnet, and the single-seat Monza SP2 concept, which is a £2m-plus special edition based on the 812 Superfast. 

Ford Focus ST/Puma/ GT/ Mustang

Ford has a number of important cars making debuts at this year’s event. The return of the Focus ST hot hatch is a notable one, alongside the new Puma, which makes its UK premiere, reborn as a sporty small crossover.

At the other end of the scale, Ford's Performance division unveiled the GT Mk II supercar at the Festival. It's an even more hardcore, track-only variant that doesn't need to adhere to the rules of any racing series, and is tackling the hillclimb throughout the weekend.

Though not an official Ford product, London-based Charge Automotive is also displaying an electric-powered version of the iconic 1960s Mustang, going on sale in limited numbers. 

Honda e and 2019 Honda NSX

Honda’s hotly awaiting electric city car, the Honda e, is making its first UK appearance at the Festival of Speed in near-production form.

One is on display for the public to get up close to, while another is taking on the hillclimb course. The 2019 NSX, featuring a number of enhancements, is on static display on Honda’s stand.

Land Rover Defender

The eagerly-awaited reborn Defender was the first car to go up the Festival's famous hillclimb course, with the Duke of Richmond behind the wheel. The rugged 4x4 is still in camoflague and officially still a prototype, but it was the first chance for the public to see it in action ahead of an official unveiling later this year.

The Defender has been subject to numerous leaks over the past few months, with the latest seemingly revealing details of an entire family of cars, with engines, trim levels and options appearing online unofficially.

Lexus LC Convertible

Lexus has brought along a convertible version of its LC coupe at the Festival of Speed.

It follows on from last year’s Detroit motor show concept and is much more production ready than its original public appearance. The BMW 8 Series Cabriolet rival isn’t expected to enter production until next year, however. 

Lightyear One

One of the more unique cars being revealed at this year's Festival is the Lightyear One, an electric saloon that promises solar powered recharging. It only made its official debut a few weeks ago, and this weekend will be the first time it has gone on display to the public ahead of customer deliveries, which are currently scheduled for 2021. 

The €119,000 EV is said to be capable of around 450 miles of electric range on the WLTP test cycle, and can recharge using a standard rapid charging cable as well as using solar power.

Lotus Evora GT4

Revealed earlier this year in Shanghai, the Evora GT4 is a 444bhp celebration of Lotus' historic motorsport successes.

The 3.5-litre V6-powered special edition is making its dynamic debut on the hillclimb, sporting a traditional green and yellow racing-inspired livery. Also on display is the Type 25 F1 racer in which Jim Clark set the Goodwood circuit lap record in 1965.

McLaren GT

McLaren’s so-called 'rule-breaking' GT - its most practical, comfortable and refined model yet - is making its UK public debut at Goodwood.

The Woking brand makes plenty of bold claims about the model: as well as offering more luggage space than anything in this class, the 612bhp, 200mph-plus model is also said to be the fastest and most engaging GT car around. 

Mercedes-AMG A45

Mercedes-AMG is upping the ante in the decades-old German horsepower war at this year's Goodwood with an all-new version of the smallest AMG model: the A45.

It’ll aim to usurp rivals such as the Audi RS3 with a new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, capable of 382bhp in standard form but with a whopping 415bhp in S guise. The A45 is being unveiled for the first time at Goodwood, and will also be seen attempting the hill course. 

Mini John Cooper Works GP

Like Aston Martin and Bentley, Mini is celebrating an important anniversary at this year's Festival of Speed, with 2019 marking 60 years since the debut of the Alec Issigonis-designed original. 

The company is showing off the limited-run John Cooper Works GP at the event, following road-registered prototypes making their debut in camouflage at last week's Nurburgring 24 Hours race.

Morgan Plus Six

The Plus Six is Morgan's first all-new model in 19 years, and arrives at the same time as a sizeable investment in the Malvern manufacturer from Italian firm Investindustrial.

Familiar styling remains, but a dynamic debut on the hillclimb is highlighting the performance potential of a new BMW-derived 335bhp straight-six and revamped chassis set-up. 

Polestar

Volvo's all-electric performance brand has its first two models at Goodwood, with its flagship 1 luxury coupé deploying its 600bhp hybrid powertrain on the hill. 

Just 1500 examples of the 1, all left-hand drive, will be built, making its Goodwood appearance a rare chance to see it driven in anger. The recently unveiled 2 EV is also making its way to the top of the hill, giving us an opportunity to watch its 401bhp twin-motor set-up in action. 

Porsche 911 RSR

A new generation of

Porsche Cayman GT4/Boxster Spyder

Only revealed last week, the new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Boxster Spyder are both making their public debuts at the show.

Ditching the turbocharged four-cylinder engine of lesser 718s, the more hardcore new models adopt the enthusiast’s choice: a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six mated to a manual gearbox only. The Spyder takes much of the GT4’s mechanical make-up but adds the appeal of a removable roof. 

Radical Rapture

British firm Radical claims to be the world’s most successful race car manufacturer, and it’s celebrating that fact with an all-new model at the Festival of Speed.

It's called the Rapture, and is the company's most road-focused model yet. It is taking to the Goodwood hill and appearing in the moving motor show. 

Toyota Supra

We’ve seen plenty of Toyota’s new Supra so far, and those who haven’t will be able to see it both on display and tackling the hillclimb at speed.

Alongside that, rumour has it there will be some sort of motorsport announcement involving the Supra at Goodwood this year. It could be that the racing concept of 2018 will morph into a GT4 category customer racing car…