Eager to put on a good show at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, automakers are readying some exciting debuts ahead of the event. Mazda will join in the festivities as well by introducing its road-legal Mazda MX-5 GT Concept, which will also take part in the hillclimb's 'First Glance' category.
The Mazda MX-5 GT Concept is directly inspired by Mazda's successful MX-5 GT race programme in the British GT Championhip. Built by the racing specialists at Jota Sport, the MX-5 GT Concept produces 205-hp from a normally aspirated 2.0 liter engine, a significant boost from the 167-hp found in the standard MX-5. Even more crucially, this gives the MX-5 an extra 5-hp over its latest competitors Toyota GT 86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. A louder and more bold exhaust note is also featured to accentuate the increased performance.
To cope with the new power, Mazda fitted the GT Concept with uprated suspension to improve handling. What's more, the suspension is adjustable to complement different race tracks. Aerodynamic enhancements include a carbon front splitter, a rear diffuser, and a deck spoiler. Recaro seats hold down the driver and additional carbon trim pieces help to reduce even more weight from the cabin. For customers that really want to milk the MX-5 GT of all its worth, a track conversion is available with road slicks and body-colored roll hoops.
Promoting the Miata will be a trio of racing drivers ready to take the bantamweight sports uphill - Mark Ticehurst, Owen Hildenhall, and 19 year old kart racer Jade Paveley.
Mazda UK Managing Director Jeremy Thomson said, "This year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed we have a number of significant cars on the stand and contesting the hillclimb. The MX-5 has been our best known car for 22 years and with the GT4 and GT Concept on show, we are demonstrating that this car can compete with the more expensive race and performance cars but still remain true to its froots of affordable motoring with a strong focus on the on the driving experience."
Also featured at Mazda's Goodwood booth will be the Mazda Takeri sedan concept, the successor to the midsize Mazda 6 vehicle. The Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv compact crossover will be featured at the show as well.
