The 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased an impressive mix of road and competition cars, featured exciting new reveals, and dealt with the unpredictable British weather.

Keep reading for a detailed report of the show and a comprehensive roundup of all the new vehicles that made an appearance.

Report on the Goodwood Festival of Speed

It’s safe to say that there are no boring cars anymore.

Every new car, regardless of how ordinary, extravagant, uniquely styled, expensive, loud, heavy, or unconventional it may be, is of great interest to someone. While some cars capture the attention of a larger audience, the 30th running of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, affected by the weather, proved that all cars deserve to be celebrated, or at the very least, discussed.

When the shiny new “First Glance” cars hit the hill for the first time, a highlight of the festival every year and the busiest hour for the Autocar team, the sense of variety and fascination was undeniable. Not a single car failed to invite intrigue and conversation.

One car that mesmerized the crowds was McLaren’s roar-inducing Solus track car, powered by a screaming V10 engine. It topped a diverse collection of road and race cars and claimed bragging rights in Sunday’s Timed Shootout.

The cartoonish Bugatti Bolide also made an unforgettable impression as its thunderous W16 engine propelled it up the climb with incredible speed. However, spectators couldn’t help but be curiously intrigued by Kia’s new seven-seat EV9 SUV, the Ineos Grenadier fuel cell prototype, the Ford Explorer crossover, and the MG 4 XPower hatchback. These vehicles, while less exotic, made their mark with the screech of tires and the gentle hum of electric motors.

This wasn’t the first time that electric vehicles made an appearance at Goodwood, but their presence was welcomed rather than resented. Although the hillclimb event may have been quieter this year with an equal number of combustion-engined and electric entrants, any lingering resentment toward the electric vehicles was rare to find.

The prevailing themes of this year’s festival were the embrace of variety and experimentation as manufacturers warmly adopted emerging propulsion technologies and diversified their vehicle offerings.

However, there will always be staunch traditionalists who find solace in the incomparable blend of classic road, race, and rally cars that continue to captivate enthusiasts with their raw sensory appeal, be it the unburned four-star fuel or the unfiltered exhaust notes.

Porsche celebrated its 75th birthday at the Festival, showcasing legendary Le Mans cars, Dakar dominators, and streamlined mid-century sports cars that were shipped over from Stuttgart. These iconic vehicles, along with the vast range of vintage racers, ultra-exclusive supercars, Formula 1 stars, and Group B heroes, provided endless entertainment for fans of all ages throughout the festival.