Goodwood stages UK’s greatest showcase of new supercars
16 June 2008
Maybach Exelero

The Goodwood Festival of Speed being held in just four weeks time from 11-13 July – has firmly established itself as a great place to see the latest and best supercars from around the globe. The Sunday Times Supercar Run is unique in providing a dynamic environment in which the public can view new models for the first time. Unlike a conventional motor show, the Supercar Run affords a fantastic opportunity not only to exhibit a new supercar, but also to show it in action on the Goodwood hillclimb. Last year saw more than 20 UK public debuts out of a 40-plus car entry, and this year’s entry will be even stronger.

For 2008 the Sunday Times Supercar Run promises the very latest supercars from all around the world. Cars set to make their World and/or UK debuts will include the Breckland Beira, Ginetta G50, Shelby GT500 Super Snake and the awesome V8-powered Ariel Atom 500. Other UK debutants will include Nissan’s fearsome GT-R, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 ‘Hermes’ and stylish the Artega GT from Germany.

A number of sensational concept cars will be seen in action for the first time, including the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS, using Aston’s V12 engine in the V8 Vantage chassis, as well as the svelte Bentley Continental GTZ, a car restyled by legendary design house Zagato and featuring their signature ‘double bubble’ design cues. The amazing Mazda Furai and Giugiaro’s latest hybrid concept sports car, the Ital Design Quaranta, will also appear for the first time in the UK.

This year the Supercar Run will also feature a number of cars that provide raw supercar performance through ultra lightweight technology. Cars in action will include the much anticipated KTM X-Bow in its final production form, the latest Lotus 2 Eleven and the electric Tesla Roadster from the USA. Also represented with their latest supercar models will be manufacturers such as Bugatti, Ferrari, BMW, Caparo, Jaguar, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan, Pagani, Porsche and Spyker.

In all, nearly 50 great supercars will be in action on the Hill, which will certainly be a feast for the senses of the expected 150,000 visitors to the Festival of Speed.

Away from the Supercar Run, over a dozen other new vehicles will be making their UK public debut, including the Morgan Lifecar, Abarth 595, Land Rover LRX, Peugeot RCZ, Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, Dodge Challenger SRT8, Ford Kuga, Audi Q5 and many others.