The Top 7 Cars Making Their First Appearance at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024
Every year, Goodwood House in Chichester plays host to The Festival of Speed, where more than 200,000 fans and enthusiasts flock for the latest vehicle launches, celebrity appearances, and the famed hill climb that rolls through the grounds of this country house.
2024 was a big year for the motoring celebration, with everything from classic to electric taking the spotlight.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, the faff-free way to buy a car online, has picked out the top seven cars to make their debut at the festival this year. So, if you’re looking at your used Mercedes-Benz and wondering what’s coming up in the future, here are the highlights:
Alpine A290
After Renault unveiled the electric Renault 5 at the Geneva Motor Show in February, the excitement has built around the Alpine version getting the same tune-up treatment.
The French manufacturer didn’t disappoint, with the Alpine A290 making its first appearance at Goodwood. A 220hp electric hot hatch, it’s set to offer a dynamic drive as the first proper mainstream electric hatchback that puts fun first.
With a retro-futuristic design that harks back to Alpine’s raceing heritage, we can’t wait to get behind the wheel of it.
Land Rover Defender Octa
Land Rover unveiled the new Defender Octa – an even more beefed-up version of the ultra-popular SUV. With a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 at its heart, it offers 635hp to rival Mercedes-AMG G63.
This new engine (borrowed from the new BMW M5) makes this the most powerful Defender ever made, without sacrificing its rugged looks we know and love.
Honda Prelude
After 23 long years, the Honda Prelude is back. The wait was well-worth it, as the new hybridised Civic engine powers the sleek coupé look with a modern twist.
Sheehan comments on this new Prelude model: “Set for release in 2025, the new Prelude stays true to the roots of its origins. It’s amazing to see a brand that acknowledges its past while building for a fuel-efficient future.”
Red Bull RB17
From the tracks of Formula One to the world of track-only hypercars, Red Bull’s motoring domination looks set to continue with the unveiling of the brand-new RB17.
It comes from the mind of the legendary Adrian Newey, so it’s built with aerodynamics at its core.
At 1,200hp, 900kg, and 15,000rpm red line, the Aston Martin Valkyrie Pro better watch its back.
Of course, it won’t come cheap. In fact, it’ll set you backa cool £6 million.
Yangwang U9
After their U8 SUV, Yangwang have announced the U9, a fully electric supercar that looks to rival Ferrari in the Chinese market. It produces 1,300hp and costs around £180,000. No, that’s not a typo.
Sam Sheehan highlighted this car for another unique reason: “It’s very rare that I get to say this about a car, but the U9 can jump all four wheels off the ground. Why? Why not, I suppose.”
Tesla Cybertruck
Whether it’s from the news or social media hype, you’d be hard-pressed to find a motorist who hasn’t heard of Tesla’s Cybertruck.
Straight from the mind of Elon Musk, this angular take on a pickup truck is a unique take on an American staple.
Here’s a video Tesla released just yesterday, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
Weighing in at 3,000kg, it’s claimed to have a 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds and measures at 5.6m long.
It’s unlikely that you’ll see a lot of these on your local high street, so it’s always fascinating to see one when they’re in the UK.
Ford Capri
Another legendary model name has been revived. This time it’s Ford with the new all-electric Capri, back 38 years later, after retiring the line in 1986.
This new coupé SUV is based on the VW ID.4’s platform, and offers much more space, power, and efficiency than the original, as you’d expect.
For better and for worse (depending on your opinions), the V6 is no more, but the efficient electric motors do have character of their own.
Sam Sheehan praises the new Capri’s design: “Just like I said about Honda with the new Prelude, Ford hasn’t shied away from its past and kept the iconic monobrow between the headlights. A modern take with streaks of the past is what you want from brands.”
These were just the highlights of what was, and always is, an exciting festival. We saw two more legends reborn – is that a trend we could see growing in the future?
We’re bound to find out next year.