click above image to view more pics of the Acabion GTO

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is right around the corner on the weekend of June 22-24, and guess what, we're going! Every year (here's last year) we've had to watch from across that transcontinental puddle we call the Atlantic Ocean as pics from this most mega of car events trickle into our RSS feeds. For those not in the know, the Goodwood Festival of Speed centers around the famed hill climb on the grounds of the Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Drivers of every imagineable type of vehicle tackle the 1.16-mile long hill, and if you've got a camera in hand it offers the best photo ops of the year. Barring any surprises, we'll have a long lens on hand to capture every car that climbs the hill.

Good thing too, as word from the Goodwood folk is that this year's event will have a record number of new car debuts, including the Acabion GTO shown above, the two-wheeled fuselage that's claimed to be the fastest production car in the world with a 342 mph top speed. Looks Even for those cars that don't make the climb, organizers allow visitors to get closer to these cars on display than any other auto show in the world. Below is a list of some of the more impressive vehicles that will be on site, as well as links to more pics and info.

• Acabion GTO (Technically the world's fastest production car at 342 mph)
• Bristol Fighter T (1,012 bhp)
• Maserati Gran TurismoBentley Brooklands Coupé
• Porsche 911 GT3RS
• Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
• Tesla Roadster
• Artega GT

Check after the jump for the FoS press release that lists even more cars that will be on hand to ogle.



PRESS RELEASE:

THE 2007 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED HOSTS A RECORD NUMBER OF NEW CAR DEBUTS

A record number of important new cars will being making either their world, European or UK public debut at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed – to be held in the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex from 22-24 June.

These range from the world's fastest production vehicle, the Acabion GTBO, claimed at an astonishing 342mph, to the most powerful (the 1012bhp Bristol Fighter T), and include the public debuts in action on the Goodwood Hill of the Maserati Gran Turismo, Caparo T1, Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Roadster, Audi R8, Bentley Brooklands Coupé, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, Porsche 911 GT3RS, bio-ethanol-powered Concept Climax, the electric Tesla Roadster, one-off Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5 Enzo, RUF CT3, and Artega GT, to name but a few. A couple of still top-secret concepts from major manufacturers are also due to be revealed for the very first time at the Festival.

Other new models being seen publicly for the first time in the UK on static display at Goodwood will include the third-generation Ford Mondeo, Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé, Mazda 2, and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, which will also take to the Hill.

interesting new initiatives from motor manufacturers, design specialists and other motor industry suppliers, recent concept cars such as the hydrogen-powered Ital Design Vadho, Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept and Mazda Hakaze will appear for the first time on British soil. Also on display are other ecologically-advanced concept vehicles not seen in Britain before, such as the hybrid Toyota FT-HS, and diesel-hybrid Peugeot 908 RC, along with projects such as the NissanPivo and Honda's Asimo robot, which illustrate how the automotive world is changing and pioneering new technologies to meet future transportation requirements and legislation. Continuing the high-tech theme, Toyota will demonstrate its 'personal mobility' I-Swing around its display outside Goodwood House throughout the event.

The displays at FoS-TECH promise to be visually and intellectually stimulating, with the exhibits ranging from concept cars, incorporating the very latest automotive thinking, as above, to alternative fuels and future personal transport solutions. FoS-TECH, in association with BP Ultimate, will be based in a purpose-built structure on the Festival's main Exhibition Area, close to the cricket pitch. All exhibits will be under cover, and Festival visitors will have close, direct access to the displays.