Goodwood Festival of Speed 2017: Aston Martin DB11 V8 to Audi Q8 Sport Concept we review the best of the bunch
Cars, bikes and one-off concepts are thrashed up the famous hill circuit near Goodwood House in West Sussex
THE most spectacular event in the UK motoring calendar is finally here – the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Today is the last day of the show, which attracts more than 200,000 car fans and where cars, bikes and one-off concepts are displayed in the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex or thrashed up the famous hill circuit.
Standouts this year include some of the sexiest Ferraris ever made, as the Italian brand celebrates 70 years, and F1 champ Nico Rosberg tackling the hill.
But don’t worry if you can’t be there – I’ve picked six of the best cars making their debut.
Aston Martin DB11 V8 – Global Debut
The recent marriage between Mercedes and Aston Martin is already producing beautiful offspring – not least this more tamable DB11.
Instead of the twin turbo V12 in the original, this “baby” DB11 is powered by a 4litre twin turbo V8, lifted from the Mercedes AMG GT. It knocks out a healthy 525bhp, down from 600bhp, which is still more than enough for anyone to get to grips with.
It’s slightly lighter but looks exactly the same as its bigger-engined brother.
And here’s the best bit – it’s going to be a good deal cheaper than the £155K version.
- PRICE: £144,900.
Jaguar XE SV Project 8 – Global Debut
The name is quite a mouthful but then it should be for the most powerful road-going Jaguar ever made.
Jaguar have quite rightly plumped for Goodwood to make the global reveal of this 600bhp beast – which has come straight from the top-secret labs and testing grounds of their Special Vehicles Operations Division.
And a vehicle really doesn’t get any more special than this.
The 5.0 litre V8 engine produces an eye-watering 592bhp, but the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 will be limited to a run of just 300.
- PRICE: £149,000
Renault Zoe E-Sport Concept - UK debut
This is a 456bhp electric car. From Renault. Wow.
Renaultsport are doing good things in Formula E, and they have deployed their skills to showcase what the future of road-going electric cars can look like.
And it looks like this – a car which can launch from 0-62 in 3.2 seconds and top out at a limited 130mph.
The carbon-fibre and Kevlar body make it light and stiff, everything you want it to be, and it’s easy enough to park in an Asda blindfolded. I want.
- PRICE: Priceless
Bentley Continental Supersport - UK debut
Most powerful Bentley ever made? Yes please.
The 6litre W12 engine in this behemoth produces 700bhp, which is enough to do the 0-62 sprint in 3.2 seconds. Bentley claims it’s the fastest four-seater money can buy.
Giving the game away is a carbon fibre splitter and diffuser, and the monstrous rear spoiler for added downforce.
Despite its race credentials Bentley assures us it still eases along the road with supreme comfort, in the right mode.
And being Bentley, it’s a five-star hotel inside.
- PRICE: £212,500
Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R – UK debut
To commemorate the end of the VXR8 production, Vauxhall is having one last hurrah with a 587bhp version, which is 19bhp up on the current model.
That comfortably makes it the most powerful Vauxhall ever.
Producing that grunt is a 6.2litre supercharged V8. Yep, she will be a thirsty gal.
But for the lucky 15 people who bag the UK allocation, it comes with a redesigned nose and bum, including splitter, wings and rear diffuser. Oh, and it’s rear wheel drive.
Just look for the cloud of smoke on the hill and that’ll be the GTS-R.
- PRICE: £74,500
Audi Q8 Sport Concept - UK debut
Yes, apparently the world really does need another SUV, and Audi is ready to share a 469bhp version of their monster upcoming wagon with the UK.
Powered by an electric motor combined with a 3litre V6 twin turbo petrol engine, the Germans claim it will box off 0-62 in 4.7seconds. Rather than be the biggest of the bunch, the Q8 is just a sportier version of the Q7 – think BMW X6 to the X5.
In fact, it’s 30mm shorter than the Q7 but shares the same platform.
There’s no denying it’s a good-looking thing.
- PRICE: Priceless
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