The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed delivered a flurry of new‑model unveilings, drawing thousands of enthusiasts to the Duke of Richmond’s historic grounds and turning the event into a showcase for the latest hypercars and electrified performance machines.
McLaren rolls out the 788HS
McLaren’s newest offering, the 788HS, appeared as the highlight of the British manufacturer’s stand. The “HS” badge denotes “High Sport,” a label reserved for the most extreme variants in the brand’s lineup. Built on the platform that began with the 720S in 2017, the 788HS houses a 4.0‑litre twin‑turbo V8 now tuned to produce 777 bhp, matching its 788 ps designation.
Weighing 1,265 kg without fluids, the car benefits from a revised aerodynamic kit that adds roughly 10 percent more downforce than the previous 765LT. It can reach 205 mph and accelerates from 0‑62 mph in 2.8 seconds. Production will be limited to 200 units, split evenly between coupe and spider bodies, marking the final chapter for McLaren’s second‑generation Super Series.
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Mercedes‑AMG shifts to full electric power
Mercedes‑AMG’s CLA 45 entered its third generation with a decisive shift to electric propulsion. The model retains the compact four‑door form but replaces the traditional turbocharged four‑cylinder with three axial‑flux motors—two on the rear axle and one up front—delivering a combined 671 bhp and 1,297 lb‑ft of torque.
Performance figures show a 0‑62 mph sprint in 3.0 seconds, a full second faster than the outgoing combustion‑engine version, while top speed is capped at 155 mph. To placate fans of the CLA 45’s historic engine note, AMG offers simulated gearshifts and a recreated engine sound that mimics the old 2.0‑litre turbo four.
Hypercar updates dominate the showcase
Apollo’s Evo, a track‑only model, finally appeared in production form after a five‑year wait. Only ten units will be built, each powered by a 6.3‑litre naturally aspirated V12 derived from Ferrari’s F140 architecture and tuned by HWA. Priced near £2.6 million, the Evo also features a 3D‑printed titanium exhaust dubbed “Dragon Skin.”
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Zenvo presented the Aurora Tur, a road‑legal prototype that follows a concept first shown three years prior. The car is offered in a road‑biased Tur specification.
These announcements illustrate a broader trend at Goodwood: manufacturers are balancing raw performance with electrified technology, often blending the two to meet evolving market expectations. While some brands, like McLaren, continue to chase ever‑higher horsepower figures, others, such as Mercedes‑AMG, are integrating hybrid systems to enhance efficiency without sacrificing speed. This mix of traditional supercar ambition and modern electric innovation reflects the industry’s ongoing transition.
Overall, the 2026 festival highlighted both the persistence of extreme power pursuits and the growing acceptance of electric drivetrains among performance‑focused marques. The variety of prototypes and limited‑run models presented at Goodwood highlights the event’s role as a barometer for where high‑performance automotive engineering is heading.
