Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition 08 | 02 | 2019
MAZDA HAS REVEALED the MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition. The unveiling, at the Chicago Motor Show, comes exactly three decades after the original two-seat sports car was unveiled at the same event. Available to order now from Scottish dealerships, the soft-top starts at £28,095, while the RF will cost £29,985. First deliveries are due in the summer. (Related: Roadtest — Mazda MX-5 Sport Nav+ 2.0-litre)
Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has sold more than one million units worldwide, with more than 130,000 finding homes in the UK. (Related: Mazda launches new flagship CX-5)
The limited-run model arrives with exclusive, but very bright, Racing Orange paint. Inspired by the 1989 MX-5 Club Racer, the car also comes with forged 17in, 10-spoke aluminium Rays alloys based on the ones used in the Global MX-5 Cup racing series. The front wing also accommodates a 30th Anniversary badge. (Related: New Mazda3-based SUV teased)
The sportiness continues 15in Brembo front brakes — a first for any UK-market MX-5 — and body-coloured brake callipers, plus the Anniversary Edition rides on Bilstein dampers.
The orange influence continues in the interior — which gets upgraded, sporty Recaro seats — and replaced the standard dashboard trim with Alcantara. Also standard is the 7.0in-screen infotainment system, which includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
The limited edition gets Mazda’s most powerful 181bhp version of Mazda's 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Mazda will produce only 3000 of the 30th Anniversary Edition models, with the UK receiving 600; there will be 400 soft-tops and 200 RF hard-tops, which receive a black two-tone roof.
“The MX-5 is a sports car that has resonated with enthusiastic British drivers ever since its debut, and four generations on it’s as popular as ever,” Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK managing director, said.
“Along the way, it has remained true to the original principle of being an affordable, lightweight and above all fun-to-drive roadster. Today it is the very essence of the Jinba Ittai driver-and-car-as-one philosophy that goes into every Mazda.
“With its unique detailing, generous equipment levels, exclusivity and bold Racing Orange paint, the 30th Anniversary Edition is the perfect way to celebrate three decades of this iconic sports car”.
Related: Crossing the world's largest lake in a Mazda CX-5
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars
Jim McGill