- Film-set inspired stand will showcase pan-brand product offering with a range of interactive consumer experiences
- European debuts for the static Honda 0 SUV, dynamic Prelude, and Civic Type R Ultimate Edition, alongside a new all-electric urban concept vehicle – the Super EV Concept
- Visitors will also experience models from Honda’s best-selling motorcycle line-up – starring the EV Fun Concept, Urban EV Concept and the brand’s V3 engine concept, the world’s first with an electrical compressor – and the Miimo robotic mower
- On the Hill, there will be a dynamic run from the Honda-powered Williams FW11 – the brand’s first Formula One championship winning machine from 1986 – while it also marks 60-years since the brand’s first Formula 1 race victory
- Followed by 2024 Dakar Rally winner Ricky Brabec, riding his 2020 race winning CRF450 RALLY factory bike, and John McGuinness (MBE) on the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike, commissioned to commemorate his 100th start at the Isle of Man TT
Honda will bring the magic of the movies to the British countryside when it returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 10-13 July, with scene-stealing performances from across its award-winning product portfolio and motorsport history.
All inspired by the brand’s commitment to electrified innovation, as it showcases its accelerated pursuit of carbon neutrality with an expanded hybrid line-up and advanced next-generation EVs. Underpinned by many technologies that have been developed during Honda’s storied success within top-level motorsports.
On the stand, and fresh from its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Honda 0 SUV prototype model will make its European premiere at Goodwood.
While on two wheels, a pair of models first shown at the EICMA motorcycle show in November 2024 will be on display: the EV Fun Concept – Honda’s first ‘full size’ EV motorcycle – and the Urban EV concept, which embodies Honda’s vision of urban electric mobility with a function-focused design. Honda will also be displaying – for the first time in the UK – its V3 motorcycle concept, the world’s first with an electrical compressor, which will take centre stage as part of the brand’s ‘Dream Tech’ roadshow.
Following its appearance as a concept at the festival in 2024, the all-new Prelude e:HEV hybrid coupe returns for its much-anticipated sequel, as it prepares to make its first dynamic run in Europe on the Hill.
And rounding out the on-stand experience, there will be a meet-and-greet with every movie hero’s favourite sidekick – the Miimo robotic lawnmower.
The Stand
Designed to mimic the experience of a live film set, this year the Honda stand will give visitors the chance to channel their main character energy with a range of interactive experiences centred around the products on display.
First up, visitors can experience modern movie magic by climbing aboard a Civic Type R to shoot their own film trailer on our extended reality (XR) stage. Before diving into a world of mini movie studios – posing for their own AI action movie poster, riding a Gold Wing motorcycle through scenic desert highways, hanging from the wing of a HondaJet, or starring in their very own marine adventure.
Hans de Jaeger, Senior Vice President, Honda Motor Europe, said: “We are excited to return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year with a dynamic pan-brand showcase of everything Honda has to offer our European customers. Our business is about more than our products alone, but how our customers feel when they are using them, and this has been the inspiration behind our stand design this year. I look forward to seeing everyone visiting us and experiencing our brand across the four days.”
Hillclimb
The action will continue away from the Honda stand and throughout the Festival of Speed, with a variety of models heading up the Goodwood Hillclimb. This will not only see the dynamic public debut of both the Prelude and Civic Type R Ultimate Edition, but also the first appearance globally of a new all-electric urban concept vehicle – the Super EV Concept.
This has been designed to demonstrate how an A-segment model might offer fresh, ‘fun-to-drive’ electric performance alongside trademark Honda usability. Wrapped in a striking purple design, this small, sporty model has already carried out feasibility testing in the UK in the leadup to the event – as part of a wider global program.
On the Thursday, there will also be a heritage procession featuring every generation of the Civic Type R – led up the Hill by Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness, riding his CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike, and followed by Honda’s luxury touring motorcycle, the Gold Wing , which this year is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first production.
Motorsport
This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is celebrating 75 years of Formula 1, and Honda will be no different. As a key contributor to this history, the brand will not only mark 60-years since its first victory at the pinnacle of four-wheel racing, but also its first Constructors’ Championship success with the return of the Williams FW11.
Powered by the Honda RA166E engine, said to produce some 1,500 horsepower, it will be driven up the Hill this year by iconic British driver Nigel Mansell – one half of the title-winning duo from 1986.
Not only that, but there will be an appearance from two-wheel hero Ricky Brabec, riding his Dakar-winning CRF450 RALLY model as a further showcase of Honda’s more recent motorsport success.
All of which demonstrate how the brand, since its founding, has regarded racing as a proving ground for both its people and technologies, boldly taking on top-level motorsports across both two- and four-wheels.
Koji Watanabe, President, Honda Racing Corporation, said: “We always look forward to showcasing our storied motorsport heritage at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, as one of the world’s great celebrations of two- and four-wheeled racing. This year is no different, as we celebrate an icon of Honda’s success in F1 over the past 75 years – the Williams FW11. Not only was this our first championship-winning car in 1986, but it is also one of the sport’s most recognisable, and we are excited to welcome Nigel back into the cockpit this year. Alongside rides from our motorcycle legends, Ricky and John, it promises to be a fantastic celebration of Honda racing.”
For more information on the Honda products set to appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, head to: https://www.honda.co.uk/cars.html