Mazda has revealed a new flagship GT Sport special edition will join its CX-3 range.

Joining the 120ps SKYACTIV-G petrol line up, the GT Sport is offered with manual or automatic gearbox and costs £22,895 and £24,095 respectively. Limited to just 500 cars, the GT Sport features the same standard equipment as the Sport Nav trim, but adds unique styling cues, a ‘high-class’ interior trim and technology updates.

With a ‘stand-out’ aero kit designed to enhance the CX-3’s coupe-like profile, the GT Sport’s front, side and rear skirts with silver inserts, black rear roof spoiler and 18-inch silver alloy wheels give it a sporty look. This is complemented by a choice of Ceramic Metallic or Meteor Grey Mica paint at no extra cost, while the premium feel continues inside with Nappa leather and unique GT-Line floor mats.

The revised Mazda CX-3 range has been upgraded with both the addition of Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety systems and the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, while the CX-3 also benefits from the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC), subtle suspension revisions and increased sound insulation to ensure improved cabin refinement.

The 13-model strong CX-3 range features eight 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol models and five SKYACTIV-D 105ps diesels. Offered with either 120ps or 150ps, the engines are available in all trims, with both SKYACTIV-MT manual and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmissions. The 120ps engine with front-wheel drive makes up the bulk of the line-up, while the 150ps engine is matched exclusively to all-wheel drive (AWD).

The SKYACTIV-D 1.5-litre diesel engine completes the engine line up, as with petrol versions, front-wheel drive models make up the majority of the range, although the 105ps SKYACTIV-D Sport Nav AWD is offered with both manual and automatic transmissions. With emissions of 105g/km, the front-wheel drive SKYACTIV-D has an official combined economy of 70.6mpg. The engine now features Transient Control, which Mazda says ensures a more positive throttle response, by reducing turbo lag and boosting torque to deliver a ‘petrol-like’ engine feel.

All models in the revised Mazda CX-3 range feature a new steering wheel, while enhanced cabin refinement across the range is achieved with extra sound absorbing material in key areas.

G-Vectoring Control (GVC) GVC is now standard across the Mazda CX-3 range, having debuted on the 2017 Mazda3. GVC varies engine torque to optimise loading on the wheels when cornering to provide more precise handling and improve comfort.

Standard from SE-L Nav trim onwards, Mazda Advanced Smart City Brake Support has been upgraded to include pedestrian detection. In addition, the upper limit at which the system operates is improved from approximately 19mph to 50mph, and the vehicle collision avoidance speed limit from approximately 12mph to 31mph.

Other new equipment highlights on the upgraded model include heated, auto-power folding door mirrors across the range, and on Sport Nav models a heated steering wheel and a colour head-up display. In addition a power adjustment and memory function has been added to the optional half stone leather/half black LUX SUEDE seats.