Goodwood opens with stand-out debuts
Yesterday, Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show, presented by the AA in association with the Telegraph, kicked off a weekend of high-octane action both on and off the Hillclimb, with a stand-out number of new car debuts.
Thousands of car enthusiasts descended on the Goodwood Estate to see 21 brand-new models make their first UK public appearances.
The Earl of March opened the event by driving the all-new Mazda MX-5, one of the most eagerly-anticipated sports cars of the year, up the iconic 1.16-mile Hillclimb course.
Mazda has chosen the event to reveal three new models; the MX-5, CX-3 and Mazda2 to the UK. The Japanese car maker also celebrates its challenger spirit with the famous Central Feature outside Goodwood House. The 37-meter high structure features two of Mazda’s racing legends and will be officially revealed at 22:30 this evening.
With many more car makers choosing to use the event to stage global, European and UK debuts of their latest vehicles, amongst the new cars revealed are:
The world debut of the new Aston Martin DB9 GT and UK debut of the Vantage GT12
First UK public appearance of the new Ford Focus RS
First UK outing for the new Honda Civic Type-R
World premiere of the new Peugeot 308GTi
UK debuts for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Cayman GT4 and Boxster
UK debut of the new SEAT Ibiza
First UK appearance for the Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy
European dynamic debut of the Lexus GS F
Public UK debut of the new MINI John Cooper Works
Eighteen leading car makers were present, alongside the AA and Michelin; with members of the public test driving new models on a specially-constructed course featuring the iconic Goodwood Hillclimb. The manufacturers present were:
Aston Martin
BMW
Citroen
Dacia
Ferrari
Ford
Honda
Infiniti
Lexus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz
MINI
Peugeot
Porsche
Renault
RenaultSport
Toyota
Visitors to the Moving Motor Show also got an exclusive sneak preview to the Festival of Speed, with access to the Formula 1 Paddock presented by Sky Sports F1, Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ Concors d’Elegance, Michelin Supercar Paddock and all of the automotive show stands, which will boast the widest range of new products in the 22-year history of the Festival.