Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019: news and pictures
The revamped Goodwood Festival of Speed proves a huge hit, with a host of new attractions and a new theme
The 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed was one to remember. With a theme centred around “Speed Kings – Motorsport’s Record Breakers” the famous event celebrated all areas of outstanding achievement in racing, taking-in everything from land speed record cars to the fastest racetrack monsters.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019 event also marked 20 years since Nick Heidfeld claimed the outright hillclimb record at the wheel of the McLaren MP4/13, covering the 1.16-mile course in 41.6 seconds. His record, however, was emphatically beaten by Volkswagen’s all-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak racer with a time of 39.9s.
• Nurburgring lap record holders
As usual, the Festival of Speed culminated in the famous Goodwood Hillclimb shootout. For 2019, the festival site itself has been revamped, with the highlight being a new 'Arena' area which hosted a range of action-packed displays. Michelin’s Supercar Paddock also returned, featuring a Koenigsegg Jesko and Dendrobium D-1 electric hypercar.
Goodwood’s recently-added Future Lab also returned for 2019. This, together with the First Glance Paddock, showed off the most innovative technologies from the worlds of aerospace, robotics and autonomous transport, along with the latest offerings from the world’s automotive manufacturers.
We saw a number of new cars revealed at the 2019 Goodwood FoS with the Mercedes-AMG A 45 mega hatch, the Radical Rapture and the BAC Mono R going on show for the first time. Beyond that there were all kinds of UK production car debuts going up the hill alongsite the glittering array of iconic race cars.
Many of the major car manufacturers were also in attendance with stands showcasing their latest models. 2019 is a particularly big year for Bentley, Citroen, MINI and Pagani who are celebrating their 100th, 100th, 60th and 20th anniversaries respectively with special displays while Aston Martin was the subject of the main Goodwood sculpture.
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Goodwood Festival of Speed: live stream
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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019: A–Z of manufacturers
Plenty of cars made their debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, with many taking to the hill climb for the crowd’s enjoyment. Here’s a rundown of what happened at this year’s event:
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo displayed a suite of cars to this year’s festival, with the brand’s recently revealed compact SUV, the Tonale, acting as the headliner. It was joined by the firm’s special-edition Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio Racing editions, as well as the standard Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The latter two models both set times up Goodwood’s hillclimb.
Aston Martin
Goodwood’s central feature always follows a particular theme, and Aston Martin was the subject this year: there were also a collection of the brand’s finest models - old and new - on show. Back on solid ground, the recently launched DBS Superleggera Volante was present. It’s fitted with a 715bhp twin-turbocharged V12, producing 715bhp and 900Nm of torque. As such, it’s the fastest convertible in the British brand’s history, with a top speed of 211mph and a 0–62mph time of 3.6 seconds. The DBX also made it's way up the hill, showcasing the first ever Aston Martin SUV.
BAC
BAC upgraded its Mono single seater track car and the resulting Mono R made its first appearance at Goodwood. With a modified engine producing 340bhp and a 555kg kerb weight, it's a track day weapon to be reckoned with.
Bentley
Bentley is showed off the new Flying Spur at this year’s Festival of Speed. It starred as a static display together with 30 iconic Bentleys, assembled to celebrate the brand’s 100th year in business. When it reaches the UK market this autumn, it promises to be the most tech-laden Flying Spur yet, lifting its infotainment system and rear-wheel steering setup from the latest Continental GT.
BMW
BMW's recently released M8 Competition made its UK debut at Goodwood this year. The German firm also ran several cars up the hill, from both its contemporary and heritage fleets. Highlights included a BMW M3 E30, a BMW X4 M Competition and the BMW V12 LMR, which celebrated an overall victory at Le Mans in 1999. There was also 'BMW Boulevard' and 'BMW M Town;' a pair of static displays which respectively showcased the firm's luxury and performance models.
Citroen
Like Bentley, Citroen is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019. To mark the occasion, Citroen's celebratory 19_19 Concept and Ami One Concept made their UK debut, featuring on the firm's stand alongside the new C5 Aircross and a classic 2CV. Citroen Racing also attended the event, with the C3 WRC participating in a variety of events across the weekend.
De Tomaso
Under new ownership and gearing up to launch a series of new models, De Tomaso celebrated its 60th anniversary at Goodwood with a limited edition P72 GT hypercar. Based off the V12-engined Apollo IE, it harks back to the De Tomaso P70 and is a sign of what's to come in the future from the marque.
Ferrari
Ferrari took three one-off models to the Festival of Speed. A pair of V12 specials; the 812 Superfast-based SP2 speedster and the F12 TDF-derived SP3JC roadster, joined the P80/C: a track-only special which shares much with the brand’s 488 GT3 racer. Beyond the unique, multi-million pound creations, Ferrari also had the 488 Pista, 812 Superfast, FXX K Evo, the GTC4Lusso and the Portofino on display.
Ford
The Ford GT is getting even more hardcore, and the new 'mk2' model made its debut on the lawn of the Duke of Richmond’s gardens. It gains a roof scoop and a huge rear wind, aping the GTE race car which won its class at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. Also on the Ford stand was the new Ford Focus ST, Ford Puma SUV and the Shelby GT500.
Honda
The main buzz on Honda’s stand centred around its new all-electric city vehicle. The Honda e will offer a WLTP range of 125 miles, and through a CCS charger can replenish 80 percent of its charge in just 30 minutes. But arguably more important than any of that is the way it looks: the e could be the first small electric car that’s truly desirable.
Lotus
Lotus brought its recently announced Evora GT4 Concept to this year’s Festival of Speed, as well as a range of its historical, record-breaking race cars. The most famous Lotus on display was the Type 25 F1 racer which, in 1965 at the hands of Jim Clark, set the Goodwood circuit lap record with a time of 1:20.4 minutes. The record remains unbeaten to this day following a change in the track’s configuration.
Mercedes
Mercedes used the Festival of Speed to publicly reveal the new Mercedes-AMG A 45 and CLA 45. With a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, the new A 45 S can hit 168mph making it one of the fastest and most powerful hot hatches around.
Morgan
Morgan’s recently released Plus Six sports car made its way up Goodwood’s hillclimb. Underpinned by the firm’s latest bonded aluminium CX architecture, it features a new suspension set-up, a redesigned cabin and a new twin-turbocharged 335bhp 3.0-litre straight-six engine, courtesy of BMW.
MINI
2019 is a big year for MINI, as it marks the 60th anniversary since the first example of Issigonis-designed motoring icon rolled off the production line. Among the likely celebrations is the UK debut of the latest John Cooper Works GP: revealed at the 2019 Nurburgring 24 Hour race, the extreme hot hatch that managed to lap The Green Hell in eight minutes, 23 seconds.
Pagani
It's Pagani's 20th anniversary this year so, to celebrate, the Italian supercar manufacturer will bring a fleet of 30 Zondas and Huyaras to Goodwood, valued at more than £100 million. Highlights include the 2005 Zonda F, the 2010 Zonda Tricolore, the Huyara Roadster and a display of the first Zonda ever built; a 1999 C25. Pagani will also run a recently-restored Zonda R up Goodwood's hill climb twice each day.
Porsche
Porsche will used the Festival of Speed to launch a new motorsport challenger. The next generation of its 911 GTE racer was unveiled on the start/finish line, featuring aerodynamic updates that include an enlarged rear diffuser made possible by new side-exit exhausts. Beyond its motorsport links, expect to see all of the brand’s latest road car hits, too.
Polestar
Volvo’s electric performance car offshoot, Polestar, has given Goodwood fans a UK debut to savour. The Polestar 2 made its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, and was available to view at the Polestar Pavillion. Out on the hill, the Polestar 1 took part in the Michelin Supercar Run.
Radical
British track car manufacturer Radical unveiled its new roadgoing Rapture sports car at Goodwood. Following its public unveiling, the Rapture shot up the Festival’s famed hillclimb course. Little has been revealed about the new car’s design or performance, but Radical claims it will incorporate the firm’s latest powertrain, electronics and aerodynamic technology, offering an “unapologetic attack on the senses”.
Toyota
No prizes for guessing Toyota's focus at Goodwood this year, the new Supra took centre stage and Toyota Gazoo Racing has even wheeled out a never-seen-before version. The Toyota GR Supra GT4 is a race-ready Supra that can be bought and raced by teams around the world. Toyota's Le Mans winning Toyota TS050 Hybrid also featured at the show too.
Volkswagen
• VW ID. 3
Volkswagen took the overall Goodwood hillclimb record with its I.D.R this year, beating Nick Heidfeld’s McLaren run from 1999. Following on from smashing the electric car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife earlier this year, the I.D. R, driven by former Le Mans winner Romain Dumas, managed a 39.9s time. Also, the all-electric ID.3 hatchback made its Goodwood debut this year, although still wearing its blue and pink camouflage.
Motorsport stars of the show
Motorsport legends past and present attendend the show this year. Current Formula 1 drivers taking a trip up the hill included: Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alex Albon. From elsewhere in the world of four-wheel racing, the likes of ex-WRC and WRX champion Petter Solberg, three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti and NASCAR legend Richard Petty all showed off their skills behind the wheel.
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Which car has impressed you the most at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed? Let us know in the comments section below…
