If you fancied the Mazda MX-5 GT Concept shown at last year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, then you'll be happy to know that the Japanese company has green lighted its production, albeit through its racing partner Jota Sports, which had helped build the original study, and only for the UK.
Mazda had hinted at a production version of the car, but in the end, it decided to let Jota Sports be the one to offer the MX-5 GT.
"Following a year of development and testing, Mazda handed over the project in its entirety to Jota in 2013 for the Le Mans specialist race team to take the car to market independently as a Jota Mazda MX-5 GT," said Jota Sports in a statement.
Priced at £29,995 (about US$48,500 or €35,200), the GT costs £10,000 (US$16,200 or €11,800) more than the MX-5 Roadster Coupe 2.0-litre Sport Tech upon which it is based, and comes with a 3 year standard Mazda warranty for all non-modified parts and an aftermarket extension to cover all modified parts.
What you get over the standard car is a tuned version of the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four producing an extra 45hp, lifting output from 158hp (161PS) to 203hp (206PS) and cutting the 0-60mph (96km/h) time by 1.5 seconds to 6.4 seconds. According to Jota Sports, the car hits a limited top speed of 140mph (225km/h), with a "minimal change to fuel consumption".
To improve handling, there's an uprated and re-tuned Bilstein dampened suspension, while additional features include a carbon rear diffuser and leather Recaro seats. Customers can also further enhance the MX-5 GT with the option of a carbon rear boot lip spoiler, a carbon front splitter and Jota's road and track Öhlins suspension kit.
The GT comes in three colors, white pearl, true red and aluminium silver metallic, all with a brilliant black roof and anthracite alloy wheels.
Note: The white car in the gallery is the production model, while the orange is last year's MX-5 Concept GT
