The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed kicked off in style as a host of brands showcased vehicles from their past, present and future at what is considered to be one of the highlights of the automotive calendar and British summer season. Over 200,000 people are expected to attend Goodwood, with this year’s chosen theme being "Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power’.

MG Celebrate 100th Anniversary

The Festival launched with the Duke of Richmond leading a parade of MGs as the brand celebrated its 100th anniversary, driving his grandfather’s MG C-Type which competed at the Brooklands Double 12 in 1931.

There was a nod to the future as the MG Cyber GTS Concept made its first public appearance, a car that pays homage to the MGC GTS Sebring while implementing a high-performance EV powertrain.

The all-new 2024 MG HS was unveiled for the first time and is available in petrol and plug-in hybrid variants. Order books have opened for the HS, with prices ranging from £24,995 to £33,995.

The new Bentley Continental GT Speed makes its debut

The new Bentley Continental GT Speed made its first public appearance in both coupe and convertible versions. It took on the iconic Hill climb and was showcased in a unique ‘underwater’ display, a nod to its unofficial 208 mph record-breaking tunnel run in March.

Powered by an all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain with 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, it becomes the most powerful road-going Bentley ever created. It also features the biggest revision to the exterior look in the last two decades, becoming the first mainstream Bentley with single headlamps since the 1950s.

Alpine A290 Hot Hatch makes UK debut

Fresh from its world premiere at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Alpine A290 made its UK debut on Thursday, taking on the 1.16-mile hill climb as part of the ‘First Glance’ display. The 220bhp hot hatch is Alpine’s first electric car and is part of a stellar lineup from the French brand across the festival.

The Alpine A110 Pikes Peak also made its way up the hill after an impressive debut third place appearance in Colorado in June.

Mark Webber drives new Porsche 911 Hybrid up the Hill

The covers were pulled off of the latest Porsche 911, before it was swiftly taken up the Goodwood Hill by former F1 driver Mark Webber.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: MG Motor UK Limited, Alpine, Bentley.