Goodwood 2026: Chinese car brands take centre stage
The Festival of Speed takes place on an estate in West Sussex in the south of the United Kingdom. Nearby is the historic 3.8 km circuit, dating from 1947. This year’s event, which runs from 9 to 12 July, has seen a record number of Chinese brands in attendance
Key points
- Three variants: hardtop, convertible and soft-top
- The maximum system power is 1,180 kW, equivalent to 1,604 cv
- It can be charged from 10% to 70% in just five minutes
- Other new models from BYD on display at the Festival of Speed
- Automotive giant Chery is represented by the Lepas, Jaecoo and Omoda brands
- MG: two sneak peeks at the brand’s future electric range
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the most spectacular motoring events in the world. The event, famous for its hill climb of around 1.86 km, brings together teams and tuners from all over the world every year to showcase prototypes, concept cars and high-performance models. This year’s edition is dedicated to Singer, the Californian workshop famous for its modern reinterpretations of classic Porsche 911s, but the public’s attention is focused on the numerous car premieres and other exhibits on display. The stars of the 2026 event are the Chinese brands, starting with BYD and its flagship electric sports car, the Denza Z.
Three variants: hardtop, convertible and soft-top
Denza, BYD’s luxury brand, has announced that its flagship model, the Denza Z electric supercar, will make its debut at Goodwood to coincide with its launch on the UK market. The model will be available in three variants: a hardtop coupé, a soft-top convertible and a track version. In terms of dimensions, the hardtop version measures 4,780 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width and 1,330 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,780 mm. Its width of almost two metres gives it an imposing appearance that sets it completely apart from the competition, particularly its main rivals.
The maximum system power is 1,180 kW, equivalent to 1,604 cv
The carbon-fibre roof comes as standard, whilst the carbon-fibre bonnet and the electrically adjustable rear spoiler are available as optional extras. The kerb weight of the Denza Z ranges from 2,220 to 2,290 kg, depending on the trim level. Power comes from a three-motor system rated at 500 kW + 340 kW + 340 kW, delivering a total system output of 1,180 kW, equivalent to approximately 1,604 cv. This figure exceeds the 1,034 cv of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and the 1,020 cv of the Tesla Model S Plaid. The standard version reaches a top speed of 300 km/h, whilst the track-only variant reaches 350 km/h.
It can be charged from 10% to 70% in just five minutes
And now let’s turn to range and charging. The Denza Z is based on an 800-volt high-voltage architecture and is fitted with BYD’s second-generation Blade battery. At ambient temperature, it can charge from 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes. In addition to its powertrain performance, which is comparable to that of high-end supercars, the Denza Z also incorporates a range of key technologies developed by BYD. The launch of the Denza Z marks the completion of a full range of sports cars aimed at the high-end electric vehicle niche, with a list price of approximately $73,740.
Other new models from BYD on display at the Festival of Speed
Other new models from BYD at Goodwood include the U9 Xtreme hypercar from the Yangwang brand, which is said to have a top speed of almost 500 km/h, alongside the four-wheel-drive U7 saloon and, also from the same brand, the U8 SUV, which is capable of travelling underwater. Finally, the Shark pick-up with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and the Dolphin G DM-i – recently launched on the Italian market – will also be on show. Rounding off the new models that BYD is showcasing at the Goodwood Festival is the debut of the Bao 5, an SUV designed for mixed on-road and off-road use, featuring a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine supplemented by three electric motors.
