There are motor shows, and then there's the Goodwood Festival of Speed, it’s a unique event that attracts car fans and motorsport fans from all over the globe, all set in the grounds of the imposing Goodwood House. Few car events truly manage to blend cutting-edge technology, motorsport heritage and world premieres quite like Lord March's annual celebration.

The soaring temperatures may have tested the stamina of visitors, especially middle-aged overweight lumps like myself, but the constant stream of new cars, concept vehicles and unveilings ensured there was never a dull moment. From European performance icons, established OEMs, to ambitious newcomers from China, 2026's event showcased just how rapidly the automotive landscape is evolving.

Given the nature of what we do; I focused my rather limited time on the more everyday road cars on show here and largely overlooked a lot of the motorsport and supercars - I suggest you don’t do the same, as, at FOS, there is always an amazing selection of some of the most famous, rare, and successful vehicles on the planet as well as some world-renowed racing drivers and familiar faces. Soak it in folks!

One of the biggest talking points was undoubtedly the enormous BYD stand - calling it a stand is a bit unfair, really; I dare say it was large enough to warrant its own postal code. This either demonstrates their confidence and aggression, or could be a simple display of good old-fashioned willy waving; whatever the case, it certainly made an impact, demonstrating just how serious its UK ambitions have become, with cars from BYD joined by premium sister brand Denza and ultra-luxury marque Yangwang.

A headline moment came from former Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, who used Goodwood to unveil the Denza Z Racing. A tri-motor powertrain produces around 1,500PS, enough to launch the Z Racing from 0-62mph in under two seconds before reaching a claimed 217mph. Combined with a bespoke performance chassis and significant aerodynamic upgrades, it’s not going to leave you hanging around.

*The Denza Z Racing (pictured left to right, Jensen Buttom, Stella Li, Lord March)*

Just as impressive is the charging technology. Built on BYD's new 1,000-volt Flash Charging architecture, the Denza Z is capable of taking up to 1,500kW of DC charging, with BYD claiming it can add more than 220 miles of range in just five minutes or recharge from 10 to 97 per cent in around nine minutes under ideal conditions.

MG also made a strong impression with a mix of bold concepts and production-ready models that highlighted the brand's ambitious future.

Two of the biggest unveilings were the MG GO! and the MG Cyberster Concept.

Rather than simply replacing the MG4, the MG GO! offers a glimpse of where the brand's smallest electric cars are heading. Scheduled to inspire a production model in 2027, the compact four-metre-long B-segment hatchback blends classic MG design cues with a thoroughly modern electric platform, aiming at rivals such as the Renault 5 and MINI Cooper while injecting far more personality into the affordable EV market.

The Cyber Concept is a fully electric D-segment coupé SUV concept, sitting above today's MG range. MG says it's an exploration of how the brand's sporting heritage can translate into a practical SUV without losing its emphasis on performance and driving enjoyment.

Alongside the concepts, MG displayed its expanding electric line-up, including the fabulous IM5 saloon, IM6 SUV and the award-winning Cyberster. Together, they demonstrated just how quickly MG has evolved from a purely value-focused manufacturer into a brand capable of providing something for everyone.

I was supposed to be getting a passenger ride up the hill in an MGS9 but, alas, an administration error meant it was cancelled…Gutted…

*The MGS9 PHEV is yet another compelling offering from the Chinese brand*

BMW arguably stole the show from a design perspective. The BMW Group M Concept attracted attention wherever it appeared, with its dramatic proportions and muscular stance hinting at the future direction of the brand's performance division.

*The BMW Group M Concept is a stunning car*

Its sibling, the new BMW i3, looked particularly impressive in the metal, carrying over much of the concept car drama while remaining convincingly production-ready. Meanwhile, the latest BMW X5 clearly borrows heavily from the impressive new iX3, suggesting BMW has settled on a confident new design language for its next generation of electric and combustion-powered SUVs.

Honda also generated plenty of excitement. The long-awaited return of the Prelude has already established itself as one of the year's most anticipated launches, but Goodwood gave enthusiasts something extra with a more aggressive concept version that hints at what could eventually become a future Type R.

Alongside it sat the compact Super N concept, another reminder that Honda still knows how to build cars with genuine character. If the production versions drive anywhere near as well as they look, enthusiasts will have plenty to smile about over the coming years.

*A glimpse into a future Honda Prelude Type-R perhaps?*

Hyundai continued its recent run of impressive design with the striking new IONIQ 3. Remaining refreshingly faithful to its concept car roots, the compact EV looks set to offer something genuinely distinctive in an increasingly crowded electric hatchback market.

CUPRA also drew plenty of admiring glances with the production-ready Raval. Its sharp styling already stands out, but it was the intricate alloy wheel design that became one of the unexpected highlights of the day, demonstrating just how much attention manufacturers are now paying to even the smallest design details.

For those who appreciate a little British heritage, MINI's limited-run Cooper S Oxford Edition proved another crowd favourite. Blending classic MINI character with a distinctly British flavour, it was a fitting reminder that some combinations rarely fail to win people over. Why it’s been limited to just 125 cars is a mystery - perhaps MINI is trying to engineer a future collector’s item.

*The Mini Oxford Edition is a limited run of just 125 production cars*

Goodwood isn't simply about the cars, though. It's one of the few places where journalists, engineers, racing drivers, manufacturers and enthusiasts all mingle freely, creating an atmosphere unlike any other automotive event. Whether catching up with industry colleagues, or chatting with readers and YouTube viewers, the festival remains as much about the people as the cars - it really does feel like a celebration.

Even missing a run up the famous hill climb couldn't take the shine off the day. With major global debuts, ambitious new manufacturers making bold statements and established brands continuing to push the boundaries of design and performance, the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed once again demonstrated why it remains one of the world's greatest celebrations of the automobile.

Just to end on a serious note, if you’re attending Goodwood FOS this weekend, take a hat, make sure you stay well hydrated, and take some SPF50 with you - I’m fairly well travelled, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt the effects of heat quite so badly as I did yesterday. Prepare well and enjoy!

Roll on FOS 2027!

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026 Highlights

MG Metro Turbo Returns as the GO! Concept