The Goodwood estate once again opened it’s gates on Thursday as the fourth ever Moving Motorshow took place in glorious weather. Sponsored this year for the first time by RAC Cars, the event sees the UK and sometimes world debut of many new cars.
This year twenty manufacturers are taking part in the moving motorshow all giving potential customers the opportunity to drive or be driven in their latest products up the famous Goodwood Hill climb course. Plus several more have stands in the main display area but are not running cars up the hill. There are 35 uk debuts and in this article we’ll review some of them.
Skoda is using the event to give it’s new Octavia Vrs it’s world debut. Both hatchback and estate versions are present with customers able to take both up the hill during the day. They will remain on display both in the motorshow area and in main Skoda stand.
Dacia are back after their UK launch last year. Now as well as the Duster off roader they have the new Sandero (made famous or should that be infamous on Top Gear!) One of the cheapest new cars on sale, the Sandero is great value starting at only £5995 on the road.
At the other end of the scale, Ferrari have their new F12 on display. They are also on the hill but giving Demo runs rather than customer drives.
After debuting the new A class last year, Mercedes are showing off the new CLA, a coupe saloon version of their small car. They have a big AMG presence with their main stand devoted to the tuning arm of the company.
Alfa Romeo are showing off their exciting new sports car the 4c. With styling influenced by classic Alfas from the past the new car is generating a lot of attention with it’s carbon composite chassis, it’s looking like it could be a big hit for Alfa.
Lexus have the new IS on show for the first time and unusually they have no diesel option, only petrol and petrol hybrid power on offer. Diesel power has been a popular choice in recent years so it remains to be seen if Lexus have made the right decision in not offering a diesel model.
Ford are using the moving motor show to promote their new Fiesta ST hot hatch but over on their stand on static display is the new Mondeo, the first 
time it’s been seen in the UK. They also have the new EcoSport compact SUV. The model has been for sale for several years in other parts of the world but this is the first time it’s been sold in the uk.
Mini is showing off its new Paceman for the first time. A coupe version of the Countryman off-roader, the Paceman is also offered in a John Cooper works hot version.
Jaguar have their new F-Type on show as well as the Project 7 concept. (See separate story for more information on the concept.)
Peugeot unveiled the RCZ R an extra high performance version of their popular coupe. (See separate story for more info on this car.)
Toyota are concentrating on performance this year with the GT86 coupe the only model they have on display alongside several competition cars.
BMW have all their latest models on display as well as a concept car, the Gran Lusso developed with Pininfarina which looks ready to put into production.
Although officially a concept car, expect to see at least aspects of this car on future production models. There have been rumours it could be the next 8 series although BMW strongly deny this.
This year, the test drives have only been available to those that prearranged with the relevant manufacturers before the event but another announcement at the event will let you drive up the Goodwood hill climb course whenever you want!
No, Lord March isn’t opening his gates on a permanent basis, Sony and Polyphony digital have anoounced that their new version of the hit game due later this year, will feature the famous Hill climb course for the first time. Playstation owners will be able to drive any of the games hundreds of cars up the hill climb whenever they wish. Of course it’s not quite the same as the real thing but it’s as close as many people will ever get! The game is available for visitors to experience 
for the first time in several “pods” around the Festival site. Pods are sited at The Goodwood Road Racing Club, The Family Area and Goodwood Hotel. Nissan and Alfa Romeo will make the GT6 demo available on their stands while Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Nissan also have pods on their Moving Motor Show displays. The game creators, Polyphony digital, are present this weekend, no doubt doing further research as well as enjoying the festival!
Lord March, is pleased to have the Goodwood course feature in the game;
“I am very excited to welcome Polyphony Digital Inc. to Goodwood, and I feel proud and honoured that the Festival of Speed has been chosen to showcase Gran Turismo 6 globally, as I cannot think of a more fitting gaming partner for this celebration of motor sport and car culture, especially in this, our 20th anniversary year. I am particularly looking forward to driving the Hill Climb on Gran Turismo 6, although I suspect I may have to tear my children away from playing it for me to get a look in!”
The game is due for launch at the end of the year.
Friday sees the first day of the main Festival of speed event with competition cars running up the hill for the first time. The event is completely sold out so if you missed out on tickets, you’ll be able to catch live coverage on Sky Sports 4 on Sunday and we’ll be bringing you several reports from the event. By Marc Waller
