About Author
Charlotte Matthews
I research and write blogs on what’s happening in the EV-world.
Before you say anything, I know the car in the photo above isn’t electric… but isn’t that number just hilarious?
I was lucky enough to spend Sunday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, and what a day it was. It was my first visit, and between the cars, the atmosphere and the amount of walking I somehow managed to do, I’m already hoping I’ll get the chance to go back.
Goodwood is one of the biggest events in the automotive calendar, famous for its Hillclimb, incredible supercars and the latest manufacturer reveals. I’ll admit, though, I didn’t expect the electric presence to be quite as big as it was.
Many of the electric and plug-in hybrid models showcased at Goodwood are expected to arrive on UK roads over the next year or two, from affordable hatchbacks and family SUVs to luxury saloons and all-electric supercars.
So, here’s my electric edit of Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026, complete with the cars that caught my eye, a few interesting facts and, of course, one or two hot takes along the way.
The Not-Quite-EVs
BYD Shark 6 PHEV
One of the first electrified cars I came across was actually the BYD Shark 6. We know how much our drivers have been hoping for an electric pick-up (Rivian was the dream for many, but that now seems firmly off the cards for the UK), so it’s exciting to see BYD confirm the Shark 6 is heading to the UK.
Although it’s a plug-in hybrid, it’s exciting to see electric pick-ups finally edging closer to the UK.
Starting from £47,290, it combines practicality with up to 55 miles of WLTP electric range, making it possible for many daily journeys to be completed without using any petrol.
If you want more information on the BYD Shark 6, we’ve got a whole blog on it here!
MG S9 PHEV
Positioned nicely alongside the MG S6 and the MG Cyberster, the MG S9 stood out as a practical seven-seat family SUV.
If you’re looking for a mid-sized family-friendly plug-in hybrid, the MG S9 is one to keep an eye on. Prices start from £34,205, and it pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 24.7kWh battery, delivering up to 62 miles of WLTP electric range.
That should be more than enough electric range to cover many daily commutes and school runs without using any petrol, while still offering the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer journeys.
The Main Event
Now, onto the meat and potatoes. Let’s jump into the fully electric cars that caught my eye at Goodwood.
MG Cyberster
Sitting proudly on the MG stand between the S9 and the S6, the MG Cyberster remains one of the most eye-catching electric cars on sale and is receiving a refresh for 2026.
It’s still the only all-electric convertible anywhere near its price point. The only real alternatives are the Fiat 500e Convertible at the cheaper end and the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore if you’ve got £185,000 lying around.
The Cyberster sits neatly in the middle, offering sports car performance without venturing into six-figure territory.
Drivers can choose from two trims:
- Trophy: Rear-wheel drive, up to 316 miles WLTP, 0 to 62mph in 5 seconds, from £54,995.
- GT: All-wheel drive, up to 276 miles WLTP, 0 to 62mph in just 3.2 seconds, from £59,995.
Best of all, the Cyberster is available to order now.
MG S6 EV
The MG S6 is a smart-looking family car. Think of it as a larger, more practical MG4, offering plenty of space without losing the styling that has made MG’s electric line-up so popular.
- Starting from £37,995
- Up to 329 miles WLTP (around 250 real world range)
- 0-62mph in 5.1-7.3 seconds
Better still, it’s available to order now and can be leased through our salary sacrifice scheme from £424 per month.
Employers Introducing the Scheme
Employees Going Green
The Big Dogs of Goodwood
Goodwood isn’t just about affordable EVs and family SUVs. It’s also where manufacturers bring out the cars that make you stop in your tracks, whether that’s because of the technology, the performance or, in some cases, the price tag.
BMW i7
I actually stumbled across the BMW i7 by accident, and it really caught me by surprise.
My first thought was, “that looks like the Jaguar Type 01”. The long bonnet, smooth bodywork and boxy look gave me very similar vibes. Whether that’s a compliment or not is up for debate, but I couldn’t unsee it.
It comes in three versions, with up to 452 miles of WLTP range and performance ranging from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds to 3.7 seconds in the M70.
Prices range from £104,230 to more than £200,000, so it’s firmly in luxury territory. Expect to see the BMW i7 hit UK roads in September of this year.
Its bold styling certainly divides opinion, but there’s no denying it has serious presence. I turned around and it was right there.
Don’t get me wrong I do like a BMW, I just can’t get on board with the oversized kidney grille. The “beaver teeth” are becoming a bit of a trademark, but they’re doing too much – honestly they just look like big nostrils. Odd!
BMW i3
Next up was the all-new BMW i3, an all-electric saloon with some seriously impressive efficiency.
I get why they’ve called it the i3. It’s the electric version of the 3 Series, fine. But are we supposed to just forget the original quirky little i3 from way back when? It feels a bit unfair on the little hatchback that started BMW’s electric journey…
Name quibbles aside, the new i3 launches initially as the 50 xDrive First Edition and offers:
- Up to 563 miles WLTP
- Around 445 miles real-world range
- 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds
- Prices from £53,005
UK deliveries begin in Autumn 2026.
If you’d like to learn more about the all-new BMW i3, we’ve got a blog dedicated to what we know here.
Alpine A390
The Alpine A390 is impressive in its own right, but it had one problem: it was parked next to the car that completely stole the show for me. (Keep reading to find out which one.)
The five-seat fastback rivals models such as the Polestar 4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with prices starting from £60,625.
Three trims are available:
- GT: 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, Michelin Sport EV tyres and a 12-inch touchscreen.
- Première Edition: Limited edition with bucket seats and a Driving Pack.
- GTS: Massage sports seats, Devialet audio and 21-inch alloy wheels.
All versions use an 89kWh battery delivering up to 345 miles WLTP (~300 real world range).
The Alpine A390 is currently available to order through our salary sacrifice scheme, with pricing starting from £823/month.
// After some more info on the scheme? //
EVs That Won't Cost You Six Figures
Not everything at Goodwood cost six figures though. Thankfully there were a few affordable EVs making an appearance too.
Hyundai IONIQ 3
Hyundai continues expanding its electric IONIQ range with the new IONIQ 3.
Expected to start from under £25,000, it offers up to 308 miles of WLTP range (~230 miles RWR). It will be available in Standard Range, Long Range and the sportier N Line trims. The model on display at Goodwood was the N Line, which was a nice bonus to see.
The N Line adds sportier styling, red interior accents and upgraded display, and of course the N badges on the wheels and steering wheel. One thing I noticed was just how much the colour changes the look of the car. I saw it in red and thought, “looks nice.” Then I spotted photos of it in white and thought, “now that’s the showstopper.”
It looks set to compete with other compact electric models such as the Kia EV2, Renault 5, and the Volvo EX30. The IONIQ 3 is expected to arrive in the UK in late 2026.
Renault Twingo
I like the Twingo, and I’m glad Renault has kept its quirky personality for the EV. Unfortunately, the only photo I managed to grab was from the rear, so it doesn’t quite do the car justice. You’ll just have to trust me that it’s much cuter from the front.
The Renault Twingo EV is expected to start from around £20,000 and offers around 150 miles of real world range, with a clear focus on making electric driving more affordable. It won’t get you far but if you just need a cheap run around, it could be perfect.
Two trims will be available:
- Evolution, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen, cruise control and rear parking sensors.
- Techno, adding Google built-in, adaptive cruise control, one-pedal driving and upgraded audio.
Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2027 and personally, I can’t wait to see them.
Honda Super N
This one is ridiculous. I actually laughed when I saw it, but I think it’s growing on me.
With around 150 miles of real-world range, it’s also clearly aimed at town driving. We can also expect a price tag starting from £18,995.
While doing a bit of research afterwards, I discovered Honda’s clever Magic Seats, which are fitted as standard. They can be folded and configured in different ways to create more space for everything from bicycles to houseplants. It’s a surprisingly practical feature for what is essentially a tiny purple box on wheels.
Tough Stuff
The most exciting part for me. Goodwood wouldn’t be Goodwood without some outrageous machinery.
Alpine A110 Future Prototype
Parked next to the A390 was something exciting. The upcoming Alpine A110 Future Prototype.
Alpine calls it the world’s first true electric sports car, and after seeing it in person, I’m pretty excited about it. The upcoming A110 prototype targets:
- Around 500bhp
- 0 to 62mph in under 3.5 seconds
- Up to 373 miles WLTP, probably ~220 miles RWR
- Expected price is between £60,000 and £100,000
Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
Yangwang U9
Tucked away on a small dirt (or bark?) display behind a fence, I only spotted the Yangwang U9 on my way out of Goodwood, so I didn’t get much chance to have a proper look around. At least I managed to grab a decent photo!
BYD’s luxury brand, Yangwang, is expected to bring the U9 to the UK in 2027.
- 0 to 62mph in just 2.3 seconds
- Up to 220 miles of WLTP range
- An expected price tag of around £200,000
So… nice and affordable then. Looks slick though!
And just in case you’re wondering, I know ‘Yangwang’ sounds questionable in English, but it’s a Chinese word that literally translates to “admire” – and I think it’s safe to say this car is to be admired.
Honourable Mention: The Renault R5 Turbo 3E
The Renault R5 Turbo 3E definitely turned my head, one of the highlights for me. Inspired by the iconic Renault 5 Turbo from the 1980s, it’s essentially a modern electric take on a rally legend.
Production is limited to just 1,980 cars worldwide (get it?), with prices going from around £135,000 to over £200,000.
Still, I love seeing manufacturers have a bit of fun with electric cars. Not everything has to be another sensible family SUV, and even if you’re a die-hard petrolhead, you’ve got to admit it looks cool.
Closing thoughts
Well, that was my day at Goodwood. It was my first time going, and I’ll definitely be back if I can.
Manufacturers finally seem to be having a bit more fun with EVs. There are still plenty of sensible SUVs (whether I like it or not), but we’re also seeing quirky little city cars, drop-top sports cars and insane performance machines starting to appear.
If Goodwood was anything to go by, the next few years for electric cars are looking very exciting. Here’s hoping we get even more variety, more personality and a few less cookie-cutter designs. Hot take? Maybe.
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FAQs
The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed featured a wide range of electric and electrified vehicles, including the MG Cyberster, BMW i3 & i7, Hyundai IONIQ 3, Renault Twingo EV, Alpine A390, Alpine A110 Future Prototype, BYD Shark 6 and MG S9 PHEV.
The all-new BMW i3 offered the longest official range on display, with up to 563 miles (WLTP), making it one of the longest-range electric cars expected to launch in the UK.
Most of the models I've mentioned are expected to be available through salary sacrifice schemes, including the MG S6 EV, MG Cyberster, BMW i3 and Hyundai IONIQ 3. Availability will depend on UK launch dates and manufacturer releases.
The Renault Twingo EV and Hyundai IONIQ 3 are expected to be among the most affordable electric cars from the event, with starting prices expected from around £20,000 and under £25,000 respectively.