New York show: MX-5 becomes even more special

MAZDA Australia will send off its third-generation MX-5 with a limited-edition run ahead of the all new model’s arrival some time next year.

Expected in Australia later this year, the more richly equipped model marks February’s 25th anniversary since the two-seat roadster first appeared in showrooms.

The special edition will also become a stirring farewell to the eight-year run of the third-generation MX-5 that first went on sale in 2006.

According to Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders, our showrooms will also receive a limited number of the specially turned out anniversary cars, although it is too early to speculate how much more they will cost over the current model’s $47,280 price tag.

The special edition MX-5 that will sell in the US is based on the hard-topped roadster, but includes a warmed-over engine enhanced with lightweight parts.

“Meticulous attention was paid to the weight and balance of the engine’s moving parts,” Mazda said overnight while revealing the 25th anniversary model at the New York motor show.

“Needless to say components such as the pistons, connecting rods and flywheel are preferably lightweight with low inertia, and the original tolerance of these components is set extremely fine.

“But even within these fine tolerances the engineers selected the best of the best, choosing only the lightest, best balanced parts for inclusion in the engine.

“The result is an engine that revs even more freely, delivering extraordinary response and acceleration as well as a deeply satisfying engine note.” The MX-5’s freer revving 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine will produce 125kW at 7000rpm compared with 118kW at the same engine speed when mated to the six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmisison, while torque jumps by 2Nm to 190Nm.

As well, the limited-run MX-5 will get special paint, dipping into the Soul Red metallic hue normally reserved for the likes of the Mazda3 small car, CX-5 city-friendly SUV and Mazda6 mid-size car.

Other enhancements in store for Australia are likely to include bespoke instrument cluster with a specially made decoration panel featuring “delicate, hand- painted Piano Black gradation on a red base”.

“Because this finish is hand-crafted, the texture of the panel varies slightly from vehicle to vehicle,” Mazda said.

The 25th Anniversary model will also feature a black roof offset with blacked-out A pillars, rollover bars behind the seats, door mirrors and repeater lamps.

The cars will also be individually numbered.

Inside, Mazda said the seats will be clad in off-white leather with contrasting red stitching, while a 25th anniversary logo will be incorporated into the leather door trims and aluminium scuff plates. The steering wheel, with blacked-out spokes, will also feature contrasting red stitching.

Cars fitted with a manual transmission will also gain harder-riding Bilstein dampers.