The new Mazda MX-5 GT concept will debut at the Festival of Speed this year. Click to enlarge.

A new 205bhp Mazda MX-5 GT Concept car will be shown for the first time this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The MX-5 is well known in the car world as being one of the best affordable sports cars in the world, and has a huge cult following amongst petrolheads. So the idea of a 205bhp version is certainly an exciting prospect- especially one that looks this good.

The MX-5 GT will be much more hardcore than the standard car, with this noisy exhaust bringing a sense of occasion to the mix. Click to enlarge.

The power comes from a 2.0l naturally aspirated engine, snorting out through a sports exhaust system and using the car’s standard gearbox. There’s uprated suspension and a carbon front splitter, a rear diffuser and boot spoiler to make the handling even sweeter, too.

Mazda claim the MX-5 GT can hit a top speed of 160mph and has a 0-60 time of just three seconds- making it the fastest MX-5 ever. In fact, it’s turning into a proper hardcore road racer with stats like that.

“This year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed we have a number of significant cars on the stand and contesting the hillclimb,” said Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda UK.  “The MX-5 has been our best known car for 22 years and we are demonstrating that this car can compete with the more expensive race and performance cars but still remain true to its roots of affordable motoring with a strong focus on the driving experience.”

We’ll be attending the festival , so expect more from us at Unlimited Mileage in the coming weeks.