BYD made a serious impression
For me, the BYD display was one of the biggest highlights of the day.
It was a huge showcase covering BYD, Denza and Yangwang, with everything from family cars and luxury models to extreme performance vehicles and off-roaders.
The display showed the enormous breadth of the wider BYD group. It was not only about the electric and plug-in hybrid models UK drivers may already recognise. There were luxury cars, advanced battery technology, rapid charging demonstrations and some genuinely extraordinary performance figures.
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme was one of the cars that attracted plenty of attention, alongside the premium Denza models and BYD’s growing passenger car range.
It was a confident and genuinely impressive display that demonstrated just how ambitious BYD has become.
Land Rover kept things simple
The Land Rover area was far more minimalist, but that worked in its favour.
It felt clean and understated, with an entrance that made you want to step inside and explore. Rather than trying to overwhelm visitors with screens and displays, the vehicles were allowed to take centre stage.
Range Rover showcased its latest luxury models, while Defender brought some proper off-road and motorsport credibility to the event.
Jaguar was also part of the wider JLR presence, showing its latest design direction as the brand moves towards a new electric future.
A very British MINI experience
MINI took a completely different approach.
Its display felt quintessentially British, with a playful high street theme rather than a traditional manufacturer stand. It reflected the personality and charm that has always made MINI such a distinctive brand.
There were references to British pubs, shops and design, with models including the latest Paul Smith Editions helping to bring the whole area together.
I have always had a soft spot for MINI, and the Goodwood display captured exactly why people connect with the brand. It was fun, stylish and did not take itself too seriously.
New cars and major manufacturers
The Festival of Speed attracted an enormous range of global manufacturers.
BMW celebrated 40 years of the M3 while also looking ahead with its latest Neue Klasse concepts. Ferrari brought several of its newest performance models, while Aston Martin, Bentley, Honda, Toyota, Renault, Alpine and Gordon Murray Automotive all had significant machinery on display.
There was also a strong focus on future technology.
Electric performance cars were no longer tucked away as a separate part of the show. They were competing on the Hill, appearing beside traditional supercars and showing how quickly the performance landscape is changing.
At the same time, Goodwood remained a celebration of combustion engines. Hearing classic Formula 1 cars, racing prototypes and historic touring cars accelerate past Goodwood House is still one of the great attractions of the event.
The sound alone is worth experiencing.
Customisation, restomods and individual design
Goodwood is also an excellent place to see some of the best work from specialist vehicle builders and customisation companies.
Singer was celebrated through the spectacular Central Feature outside Goodwood House, with its reimagined Porsche 911s forming one of the most recognisable sights of the weekend.
There were also cars from companies including Gunther Werks, TWR, Urban Automotive, Carlex and a wide range of bespoke vehicle specialists.
The quality and imagination within this part of the industry are remarkable. Some companies focus on subtle improvements and period-correct details, while others completely transform the appearance and performance of the original car.
Either way, these vehicles show how personal and emotional car ownership can be.
Lunch beside the track
One of my personal highlights was enjoying a delicious lunch and a glass of fizz at the Veuve Clicquot tent.
It was positioned on the lawn outside Goodwood House with a trackside view of the Hill, so we could watch and hear the cars racing past while enjoying lunch.
It felt like the perfect Goodwood experience. A beautiful setting, great food and some of the world’s most exciting cars passing only a short distance away.
Action on the Goodwood Hill
Sunday featured the competitive Timed Shoot-Out, where drivers attempted to set the fastest time on the famous 1.16-mile Hillclimb.
Romain Dumas took victory in Ford’s electric Super Mustang Mach-E, while Formula E driver Dan Ticktum finished close behind in the new GEN4 car.
The field also included everything from a BMW M3 Touring racing car and Volkswagen rallycross machinery to a highly modified Subaru and classic competition cars.
One of the most special moments was seeing Damon Hill reunited with the Williams FW18 that took him to the 1996 Formula 1 World Championship.
Goodwood is brilliant at bringing drivers, cars and memories together in a way few other events can match.
A brilliant day for any car enthusiast
The Goodwood Festival of Speed combines the atmosphere of a motorsport event, a luxury garden party, a motor show and a celebration of automotive history.
You can see new models before they arrive on UK roads, watch racing legends drive historic machinery and explore the latest developments in electric vehicles, personalisation and performance.
My visit on Sunday 12 July was a brilliant reminder of just how varied and exciting the automotive industry continues to be.
