A record number of important new cars will being making either their world, European or UK public debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed – to be held in the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex from 22-24 June.

One of the biggest stars will be the dramatic new Pininfarina-styled Maserati GranTurismo which will make its dynamic driving debut up the famous 'Goodwood Hill'. Launched at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show earlier this year the GranTurismo has since appeared at AutoRAI 2007 in Amsterdam and in the US at the New York International Auto Show. Now its 4.2-litre V8 engine is set to be heard for the first time when it races up the hill.

These range from the world’s fastest production vehicle, Acabion GTBO, claimed at an astonishing 342mph, to the most powerful (the 1012bhp Bristol Fighter T), and also include the public debuts in action on the Goodwood Hill of the Caparo T1, Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Roadster, Audi R8, Bentley Brooklands Coupé, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, bio-ethanol-powered Concept Climax, the electric Tesla Roadster, RUF CT3 and Artega GT, to name but a few. A couple of still top-secret concepts from major manufacturers are also due to be revealed for the very first time at the Festival.

Other new models being seen publicly for the first time in the UK on static display at Goodwood will include the third-generation Ford Mondeo, Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé, Mazda 2, and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.
 

In the FoS-TECH Goodwood Technology Pavilion, a new state-of-the-art technology exhibition at the Festival, showcasing the future of motoring and environmental issues in a series of interesting new initiatives from motor manufacturers, design specialists and other motor industry suppliers, recent concept cars, such as the hydrogen-powered Ital Design Vadho, the Honda Small Hybrid Coupé and Mazda Hakaze will appear for the first time on British soil. Also high on the list of appropriate exhibits are other ecologically-advanced concept vehicles not seen in Britain before, such as the hybrid Toyota FT-HS, and diesel-hybrid Peugeot 908 RC, along with projects such as the ‘personal mobility’ Toyota I-Swing, Nissan Pivo and Honda’s Asimo robot, which illustrate how the automotive world is changing and pioneering new technologies to meet future transportation requirements and legislation.

The displays at FoS-TECH promise to be visually and intellectually stimulating, with the exhibits ranging from concept cars, incorporating the very latest automotive thinking, as above, to alternative fuels and future personal transport solutions. FoS-TECH, in association with BP Ultimate, will be based in a purpose-built structure on the Festival’s main Exhibition Area, close to the cricket pitch. All exhibits will be under cover, and Festival visitors will have close, direct access to the displays.