Goodwood 2026 Unveiled: From a $486K Paint Job to an Unprecedented 308 MPH Electric Vehicle
The Goodwood Festival of Speed began in 1993 as a small event on the estate of Charles Gordon-Lennox in West Sussex, England. At that time, Lord March, who is now the Duke of Richmond, anticipated drawing a couple of thousand visitors for a hillclimb up his driveway, but instead, around 25,000 people showed up.
What started as a modest gathering has transformed into an international platform for car launches, showcasing everything from prototype vehicles to record-breaking hypercars.
The 2026 Festival of Speed is scheduled to take place from July 9th to 12th at Goodwood House, with the theme “The Rivals: Epic Racing Duels.” This year, Singer, known for its bespoke Porsche 911 modifications, will feature prominently in the festival’s Central Feature sculpture. Here are five standout cars that attendees can look forward to seeing on the hill this year.
5
Bentley Design Theme by Mulliner
Unprecedented Two-Tone Paint
This striking paint finish, which transitions from one color to another across the car, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Bentley Superports—an exclusive two-seat coupe crafted for drivers. The vibrant hue is always situated on the driver’s side, no matter if it’s configured for left or right-hand drive.
The Design Theme by Mulliner is exclusive to the Bentley Supersports, a rear-wheel-drive coupe priced from £343,900 (approximately $486,000) and limited to just 500 units globally. This unique package includes Bentley’s inaugural side-to-side paint fade, featuring a vivid highlight color on the driver’s side that transitions to a darker shade on the passenger side. Though part of the Continental GT lineage, the Supersports prioritizes racing performance over long-distance touring.
Buyers can select from three color schemes: Dragon (Dragon Red fading into Black Crystal), Electric (Electric Blue fading into Dark Sapphire), and Brodgar (Pale Brodgar fading into Brodgar).
The distinct color theme extends into the cabin, where the vibrant shade surrounds the driver’s seat, while the darker tone claims the passenger side. The gear lever complements the driver’s seat color, with contrasting stitching decorating the dashboard and headrests.
Powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 657 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the Supersports accelerates to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Bentley has also introduced a driver-focused variant to its mainstream lineup with the Continental GT S and GTC S, which draw design inspiration from the Supersports while incorporating a new hybrid powertrain.
4
Yangwang U9 Xtreme
The Fastest Production Car Ever
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme proves that electric hypercars surpass traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Its anticipated demonstration of surpassing 300 mph without any gasoline will be a highlight of the festival, offering a rare experience for attendees.
The U9 Xtreme is making its European debut at Goodwood. BYD’s luxury automotive brand established its top speed record of 308.4 mph at Germany’s ATP Papenburg testing facility, marking it as the fastest verified production car.
With four electric motors producing over 3,000 horsepower, this vehicle operates on a groundbreaking 1,200-volt system, a first for production cars. It clocked an impressive lap time of under seven minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with only 30 units set for production.
3
BMW M Concept Neue Klasse
A Glimpse into the Future of the M3
The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse will feature at Goodwood after its world debut at Le Mans in June 2026. In celebration of the M3’s 40th anniversary, this concept offers a peek into the future of the iconic model.
This concept utilizes a four-motor M eDrive system, integrated with BMW’s M Dynamic Performance Control, built on an 800-volt architecture and equipped with a battery pack exceeding 100 kWh.
The M Concept Neue Klasse is accompanied by the M3 Touring race car, which had a commendable performance at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours, as well as a new M Performance Track Kit for the M2 coupe.
2
Honda Prelude HRC Concept
The Prelude’s Exciting Comeback
At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, the Honda Prelude was locked to the public, offering limited visibility. Attendees at Goodwood will experience its power for the first time, marking a significant return for a vehicle not seen in the U.S. since 2001.
The HRC Concept, inspired by performance parts from Honda’s own racing division, is based on the production model introduced in September 2025. This marks a long-awaited moment for devoted fans.
Aston Martin’s Driver Ambassador, Jessica Hawkins, and racing driver Tiago Monteiro are set to drive the Prelude HRC Concept at the festival.
1
Toyota GR GT and GR GT3
Bridging the Gap Between Road and Race
After a year of testing on Japanese tracks, the Toyota GR GT and its racing counterpart, the GR GT3, will make their first uncamouflaged appearances at Goodwood. The pairing speaks to this year’s theme of “Rivals: Epic Racing Duels,” highlighting the remarkable differences in engineering between a street car and a race car designed for Le Mans.
Both models share a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, with the road version integrating a single-motor hybrid system. The GR GT3 is constructed to FIA GT3 specifications using an all-aluminum frame and measures 4,785 mm in length with a 2,725 mm wheelbase. Toyota considers the GR GT a competitor to models like the Porsche 911 GT3.
One Weekend, Five Remarkable Cars
This year’s festival features an impressive lineup that reflects the latest trends in the automotive world, showcasing a remarkable two-tone paint job, an electric vehicle hitting 308 mph, and a street car alongside its racing variant. Alongside these five exceptional vehicles are additional models from brands like BYD, Alpine, and Gordon Murray Automotive. The 2026 Festival of Speed invites attendees from July 9th to July 12th at Goodwood House in West Sussex, England.
