Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Ford use Goodwood as product showcase

LONDON -- New cars from Aston Martin, McLaren Automotive, Bentley, Ferrari and Ford will be among those making a public debut at this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The outdoor event, which is set in the grounds of a historic mansion in Westhampnett, 100 km (62 miles) southwest of London, has become a key product showcase even as automakers cut their budgets for traditional indoor auto shows such as Frankfurt, Paris and Geneva.

Bentley will be showing its Flying Spur sedan publicly for the first time, while Aston Martin will exhibit the Volante convertible version of its V-12 DBS Superleggera sports car for the first time in public.

McLaren will show off its GT, a two-seater powered by a V-8 engine that is the automaker's answer to ultraluxury and exotic supercars meant for the road and long distances, as well as its Senna GTR track-focused hypercar.

Ferrari will use Goodwood to showcase two one-off cars, the P80/C, based on the 488 GT3 racecar, and the open-roofed SP3JC, based on the F12tdf.

Ford will take the covers off its new Puma small SUV, as well as revealing what's expected to be a faster version of its GT supercar.

Automakers will also use the Goodwood event to tease cars not yet in production, in some cases driving prototypes up the 2-km hill course that is the centerpiece of the event.

Aston Martin will run up the hill a camouflaged prototype of its DBX SUV that will be unveiled later this year, while Volkswagen will show its new ID3 mass-market full-electric car in disguise.

Honda will run an undisguised prototype of its Honda E small full-electric car.

Also driving up the hill will be a disguised prototype of the new Land Rover Defender off-roader.

Automakers build elaborate stands along the hill displaying their model range and creating VIP areas where owners can escape the crowds outside.

Goodwood is supported by the automakers despite the high cost because visitors are generally more affluent than the UK average and are seen as more enthusiastic.

The action part of the event brings further engagement on social media channels as brands and fans alike post footage of high-speed runs, tire burn-outs and pictures of iconic historic cars.

The Festival of Speed also showcases future technology and this year will host the unveiling of the Airspeeder, described as a flying racing car by its creator, Australian start-up Alauda Racing.

New road cars are only one part of the mix that draws 200,000 people over the four-day event, which starts Thursday. The key attraction is the modern and historic racing and rally cars, most of which can be seen driving flat out up the hill that for the rest of the year serves as the driveway to the house of the event organizer, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the 11th Duke of Richmond.

The Festival of Speed has become a key event on the calendar for ultraluxury brands equaling California's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance held in August.

"There is such an extraordinary atmosphere that it is like no other motor show on earth," Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said in a statement. "Attending the Festival of Speed allows us to showcase our latest developments in electric and SUV technology while celebrating the rich history of our past."