What Are the Must-See Cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed?
If you’re the kind of person who gets goosebumps at the sound of a V12 or can spot a rare hypercar from a mile away, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is your playground. This year’s event, running from July 10-13, is shaping up to be a blockbuster, with everything from last-hurrah petrol icons to bleeding-edge electric concepts making their debut. Let’s dive into the standout cars you won’t want to miss.
Why Is the Alpine A110 R Ultime Generating So Much Buzz?
Alpine’s A110 R Ultime is more than just a swan song—it’s a collector’s dream. With only 110 units being built and a price tag north of £275,000, this lightweight, carbon-fiber-clad coupe is the final chapter for the beloved A110. The new six-speed gearbox handles its 345bhp punch, and the aggressive aero package means it’ll look as fast as it feels. If you blink, you might miss your only chance to see one being pushed to its limits.
What’s New With Electric Performance? Alpine A290 Rallye and BMW Vision Driving Experience
Electric cars aren’t just about range anymore—they’re about fun. Alpine’s A290 Rallye takes the hot hatch formula and electrifies it, adding rally-inspired touches like a hydraulic handbrake and a limited-slip diff. Meanwhile, BMW’s Vision Driving Experience is a manifesto for the future of driving pleasure: four motors, five downforce fans, and a mind-boggling 13,269lb ft of torque. BMW’s engineers promise that even in the electric age, their cars will keep that signature rear-biased feel, thanks to lightning-fast control electronics.
Which Hypercars Are Making Their First Public Appearances?
Aston Martin is rolling out the big guns with the 1064bhp Valhalla hypercar and the DBX S SUV, which outmuscles even the Ferrari Purosangue. McLaren’s new W1, with its electrified 4.0-litre V8 and 1258bhp, is set to steal the spotlight—only 399 will be built. Ferrari’s F80, the LaFerrari successor, is basically a Le Mans racer for the road, boasting 1184bhp and a £3 million price tag. If you’re a fan of exclusivity, these are the cars to watch.
How Are Classic Names Being Reimagined for Today?
There’s a wave of nostalgia at Goodwood this year, but with a twist. Honda’s Prelude returns as a hybrid sports coupe, blending Civic underpinnings with a simulated sequential gearbox. The Callum Wood & Pickett Mini, reimagined by former Jaguar design chief Ian Callum, turns the classic city car into a 110bhp hot hatch. And then there’s the Eccentrica Diablo restomod, which takes Lamborghini’s wildest child and brings it into the modern era with carbon-fiber reinforcements and a thoroughly reworked V12.
What About the Next Generation of SUVs and Crossovers?
The SUV segment is getting a shakeup from all corners. Aston Martin’s DBX S and Bentley’s Bentayga Speed are pushing the performance envelope—think 717bhp and 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds, respectively. On the electric side, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is making waves as Europe’s longest-range EV, promising up to 484 miles on a charge. BYD’s Denza B5 and Z9 GT are targeting the Land Rover Defender and Porsche Panamera, showing that Chinese brands are serious about taking on the established players.
Are There Any Surprises or World Debuts to Look Out For?
Absolutely. Maserati is teasing a “highly anticipated world debut,” and while details are under wraps, the preview hints at a new MC20 variant. Toyota’s GR division is also promising something special, with hints that the UK’s car-loving crowd will get a first look at a new performance model. Lanzante, known for its McLaren magic, is unveiling its first bespoke hypercar, the 95-59, with a three-seat cockpit and 700bhp per tonne.
How Are Brands Like MG and Hyundai Reinventing Themselves?
MG is on a mission to shake off its budget image, debuting the radical CyberX SUV concept and the mysterious IM6, which hints at a move upmarket. Hyundai, meanwhile, is finally pulling the wraps off the Ioniq 6 N, a hot EV sedan with styling and power to match its Ioniq 5 N sibling. These brands are showing that innovation isn’t just for the traditional heavyweights.
What’s the Story With Limited Editions and Restomods?
If rarity is your thing, you’re spoiled for choice. The Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition marks the end of an era, with just 40 units planned and only 10 for the UK. Renault’s 5 Turbo 3E is a wild, electric tribute to the original, with only 1980 examples planned. The Bovensiepen Zagato, a coachbuilt GT based on the BMW M4, and the Automobili Mignatta Rina, a V8 speedster inspired by the 1960s, are both aimed squarely at collectors.
How Is Goodwood Reflecting the Future of Performance and Sustainability?
Hydrogen, hybrids, and electrification are front and center. Alpine’s Alpenglow Hy6, with its hydrogen-combustion V6, is a bold experiment in alternative fuels. The Denza Z9 GT offers both plug-in hybrid and full-electric options with up to 952bhp. Even traditionalists like Gordon Murray Automotive are blending old-school V12 thrills with modern engineering in the T33 and T33 Spider.
What Should You Watch for If You’re Attending or Following Along?
Keep an eye on the First Glance paddock for surprise reveals and up-close looks at cars you might never see again. The hillclimb is where the magic happens—watch for the Praga Bohema, a 700bhp, sub-1000kg supercar, to challenge the big names. And don’t miss the BMW Concept Speedtop or the Ferrari Amalfi, both of which are likely to disappear into private collections after their brief public appearances.
The big takeaway? Goodwood isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end. Whether you’re a die-hard petrolhead or just curious about the future of mobility, this year’s Festival of Speed is proof that the car world is alive, kicking, and full of surprises.