Goodwood Festival of Speed: A Captivating Celebration of Automotive Passion

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual event that has become a mecca for car enthusiasts worldwide. This prestigious gathering showcases the finest automobiles, from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars, all converging in the picturesque setting of Goodwood House in Sussex, England. Beyond the static displays, the festival comes alive with the roar of engines as these magnificent machines are driven up the iconic Goodwood Hill, allowing spectators to experience the thrill of motorsport in person.

Unleashing the Power of Automotive Legends

A Showcase of Automotive Diversity

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a true celebration of automotive diversity, drawing in cars and people from all corners of the globe. Unlike traditional auto shows, this event offers a unique experience, where visitors can witness the very earliest motorized transport alongside the latest and greatest supercars. The festival's centerpiece is the Goodwood Hill, a narrow 1.17-mile (1.9-km) stretch of tarmac lined with hay bales, where drivers push their machines to the limit, showcasing their skills and the raw power of these automotive marvels.

Electrifying Performances and Iconic Racers

The timed class at this year's festival was won by Romain Dumas, a Le Mans 24 Hour and Pikes Peak champion, who piloted the 2,040-hp electric-powered Ford Supervan 4.2 to a blistering time of 43.93 seconds. Alongside the electric powerhouses, the festival also celebrated the legacy of classic rally cars, with the Ford Raptor T1, the automaker's new Paris-Dakar rally-bound model, strutting its stuff on a dedicated rally stage through the surrounding forest.

Automotive Legends and Motorsport Icons

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is not just about the cars; it's also a gathering of automotive and motorsport legends. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion Richard Petty graced the event, at one point riding shotgun in a 28.4L inline 4-cyl. Fiat S76 – a fire-spitting prototype from 1910 known as the Beast of Turin. Petty's iconic 1970 Plymouth Superbird was also driven by his son, Kyle, thrilling the crowds. Other notable attendees included Fernando Alonso, Damon Hill, Jacky Ickx, Sebastian Ogier, Carlos Sainz Sr., Romain Dumas, Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, and Kevin Schwantz, each leaving their mark on the festival's rich tapestry of automotive history.

Celebrating a Century of MG

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed was a particularly significant event, as it marked the centenary celebrations of the iconic British brand, MG. Now under the ownership of Chinese state-owned company Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), MG wowed the crowds with the unveiling of a new 2+2 coupe version of its recently introduced electric-powered Cyberster roadster, dubbed the Cyber. Billed as a modern-day MG B, the Cyber concept is already in the final stages of development and is slated for launch in various markets in 2025.

The Electrified Future of Performance

The Goodwood Festival of Speed also showcased the latest advancements in performance vehicles, with BMW debuting its new M5 plug-in hybrid. Headed to North America in 2025, the seventh-generation M5 sedan adopts a powerful drivetrain that combines a further-developed version of its predecessor's twin-turbocharged 4.4L gasoline V-8 with a gearbox-mounted electric motor, delivering a combined 717 hp and 738 lb.-ft. (1,001 Nm) of torque. This significant increase in power and torque over the previous M5 Competition model promises to deliver an exhilarating driving experience.

Embracing Electrification: The Ford Capri CUV

Another notable electric production model on display at Goodwood was the Ford Capri, a high-riding coupe-style CUV that is set to go on sale across Europe later this year. Based on the European Ford Explorer platform, the new-age Capri will be offered with a choice of either 282-hp single-motor rear-wheel drive or 335-hp dual-motor all-wheel drive, providing a 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds in the more powerful variant.

The Ultimate Track-Focused Hypercar: The Red Bull RB17

One of the most captivating unveilings at Goodwood was the Red Bull RB17, a spectacular track-only hypercar developed by a team headed by the esteemed British engineer, Adrian Newey. Limited to just 50 units, the RB17 is powered by a Cosworth-engineered gasoline V-10 and a gearbox-mounted electric motor, delivering a combined 1,184 hp. With a race-grade aerodynamic package, the RB17 is claimed to achieve a top speed of 217 mph (349 km/h) and lap times faster than Red Bull's existing Formula One race car. The breathtaking performance of this hypercar is matched only by its equally impressive price tag of .8 million.

Elevating Track Performance: The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+

Rounding out the highlights of the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed was the unveiling of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+. This track-focused all-wheel-drive coupe receives a 603-hp version of AMG's twin-turbocharged 4.0L gasoline V-8, delivering 27 hp more than the standard GT 63 4Matic+. With a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 197 mph (317 km/h), the Pro model promises to offer an exhilarating driving experience. The aerodynamic enhancements, including a fresh front bumper design and a fixed rear wing, contribute to a significant reduction in aerodynamic lift, further enhancing the car's track capabilities.