Mazda Celebrates MX-5's 20th Anniversary with Special Edition Model

The world's most successful open-top sports car with more than 860,000 sales spread over three generation models, the MX-5, also known in other markets as the Miata or simply Roadster, is celebrating its 20th birthday this year and to commemorate the event, Mazda has introduced a special edition version of the car for the Japanese market.

The Roadster 20th Anniversary is available either in RS guise with a traditional soft-top and a six-speed manual transmission or as a VS RHT with a retractable hardtop and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The special edition models come in a Crystal White Pearl Mica finish which is used for the first time on the Mazda Roadster. Special equipment includes unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats, '20th Anniversary' badges on the fenders, clear front fog lights., 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/45R17 84W tyres and a glass rear window for the soft-top model plus heated seats with five temperature settings.

A front strut tower bar and 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/45R17 84W tyres complete the changes. Prices in Japan are set at 2,860,000 yen ($29,900 or €21,100) for the soft-top version and 3,110,000 yen ($32,500 or €23,000) for the RHT model.

And for those living outside Japan, no need to worry as Mazda is planning to launch special edition versions of the MX-5 / Miata in other markets as well.