This year's Chicago Auto Show saw Mazda unveil their 30th Anniversary special edition of the MX-5. Chicago was chosen for the live-streamed reveal event as this is where the original MX-5 was first shown back in 1989.
Bob Hall and Tom Matano, some of the key people involved in the design and development of the original car, were on hand at the show for photos and questions. I wonder if they ever imagined the MX-5 project would sell over one million cars and still be around thirty years later
The 30th Anniversary model will be limited to 3000 units worldwide with 500 allocated to the USA, which seems quite a small number given the USA is by far the car's largest market. Here in the UK we are allocated 550 cars split between 370 convertible and 180 RF.
The main selling point for this anniversary edition is the unique Racing Orange paintwork. We have seen orange ND models before, Murakami Motors and 949 Racing are just two examples, and I've always thought the colour suits the shape well. The RF version gets a two-tone roof with the centre panels in black to contrast the orange. After several years of muted colour tones, it's nice to see something a little brighter from the factory.
Most cars will use the revised 2.0 engine producing 184ps with the 1.5 engine available for the Japanese market only. Standard equipment includes Bilstein suspension, a limited slip differential (manual models only), a single exterior numbered badge just in front of the driver's side rear wheel, the familiar Brembo front brake upgrade with colour coordinated orange calipers, Nissin rear brakes, and 17" forged Rays ZE40 wheels finished in a gunmetal grey with 30th Anniversary branding. The interior gets heated leather and Alcantara Recaro seats with matching orange piping, Alcantara interior trim pieces with orange contrast stitching, orange door trims, and orange airvent trim rings. The spec is quite generous with some nice unique features, I really think the optional colour coded aero trim parts should be fitted as standard just to make the car even more special.
Dealerships are now taking pre-orders with on the road prices around £28,095. Mazda UK are also set to include a portrait photo of the 30th Anniversary Edition by Darren Heath with each model sold. Here's a look at the UK brochure, click for larger images.
