Car manufacturers poised for Goodwood Festival of Speed model debuts

BMW, Kia, Ferrari, Genesis, Polestar and Toyota will be among car makers handing new models a public debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The event, making its return following a COVID-enforced pause to proceedings in 2020, will go ahead with a reduced capacity between July 8 and July 11.

And OEMs are once again using the event to showcase their new electric vehicles (EV) and performance cars on Lord March’s iconic hill climb course.

Here we take a look at some of the most hotly-anticipated debuts set to take place:

BMW 2 Series

BMW will showcase the latest version of its two-door coupe at Good wood this year, alongside its flagship M5 CS performance saloon.

The 2 Series retains rear-wheel-drive for the most part, but an M Performance model will feature four-wheel-drive and a 375PS turbocharged two-litre engine.

Ferrari

The Italian supercar brand will use Goodwood to launch a series of new models.

Among them will be the Ferrari Roma, its first front-mid-engined V8 2+2 Sports GT Coupe and the Ferrari Portofino M, is latest front-mid-engined V8 2+2 Coupe/Convertible.

It will also showcase its first front-mid-engined V12 2 seater for nearly 50 years, the Ferrari 812 GTS, and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale – Ferrari’s first range supercar with V8 engine and hybrid system.

Kia EV6

It may have been unveiled already, but Kia will be showing off its new EV6 elelctric car in the metal for the first time.

Entry level models will be priced from £40,895 and come with a 229PS motor driving the rear axle.

GT-Line trim is priced from £43,895 or £47,395 if equipped with a 325PS all-wheel-drive drivetrain.

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake

Genesis’ third UK car launch will get underway with the unveiling of the G70 Shooting Brake at Goodwood.

The Hyundai sister brand’s estate-style premium car will join the G80 saloon, GV80 SUV in the UK soon, with the G70 saloon and GV70 urban SUV set to follow soon after.

Polestar SUV

Polestar will look to expand a range which will soon feature just its Polestar 2 EV with the unveiling of a new all-electric SUV.

The new car, described as “an aerodynamic electric performance SUV” will be manufactured in a Volvo plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina.

Toyota GR86

Toyota’s 2+2 coupe will be showcased in its newly-updated and more potent 2022 form.

The model now features a 2.4-litre (up from two-litres) flat-four engine making 228PS.

Toyota claims 6.1-second acceleration to 60mph – 0.9 seconds quicker than its predecessor.