So this was all set to be a general round-up of the noteworthy cars at Goodwood 2013 and Salon Prive, until we spoke to Peugeot. Because now there's one car, fresh
from another famous hillclimb
, that will undoubtedly attract the crowds as it terrorises Lord March's drive next weekend.
Project 50 racer joins the Porsche presence
208 T16
will be driven up the Goodwood hill, no doubt after another record time. Unfortunately, the great man himself won't be behind the wheel, duties instead placed on the shoulders of a Peugeot test driver.
The target is 2012's record time of 46.46 seconds, set by Anthony Reid in a Chevron GT3. So even the T16 can't beat that time by 92 seconds...
Elsewhere, Goodwood's tribute to the Porsche 911's 50th anniversary should prove as popular and dramatic as ever. Furthermore, the Project 50 911 will go up the hill and the 1967 911 Porsche is sending on a world tour as part of the car's birthday year will also be stopping by.
Other notable cars set for a UK unveiling at Goodwood include the Alfa 4C and a pair of Toyota GT86s, the Roadster and the Griffon TRD track-ready version.
Vuhl leaves the RAC hall for Lord March's drive
Following a static reveal this week, the
Vuhl 05
will be aiming for a fast time at Goodwood, and Bentley's
Continental GT3
racer will undoubtedly be a sight and sound to savour too.
If it's attention-seeking cars you're after, Renault's Twin'Run and Twizy F1 are likely to be the equals of any endurance racer or hybrid hypercar. A mid-engined V6 supermini and a KERS enhanced electric commuter car with a 0-62mph time of six seconds should generate plenty of interest.
Away from the 208 T16, Peugeot's 260hp RCZ R should build on the talents of the 208 GTI and deliver the enthusiasts' Peugeot we're waiting for. And following its record-breaking Pikes Peak ascent, the Range Rover Sport will take on Lord March's drive (and probably a lot of the grass) over the weekend as well.
Given the calibre of racing cars on display, the SEAT Leon Cup Racer does risk going unnoticed somewhat. However, with a Mk3 Leon Cupra on the way and the latest Golf GTI a very encouraging base, we can but hope some of the Cup Racer's styling cues make it to the road.
Quirky XL1 not your typical Goodwood car...
And whilst we're on the subject of VW, keep an eye out for the
XL1
. A production version of the 795kg diesel hybrid will be driven up the Goodwood hill, presumably not returning its claimed 314mpg in the process.
At Salon Prive, perhaps the most notable confirmed debut is the Icona Vulcano, the hybrid hypercar first seen at the Shanghai motor show. We'll keep you updated on more UK premieres as they're announced. But suffice to say, even without a British motor show, petrolheads are in for a great summer of new cars.