Mazda has lifted the veils off the MX-5 25 Anniversary Edition at the New York Auto Show, a model that marks a quarter of a century since the debut of the world’s most popular roadster. With more than 940,000 units produced over three generations, the MX-5 (sold as the Miata in the U.S.) holds the Guinness World Record for best-selling two-seater sports car.
Based on the 2.0-liter 160PS (158PS) retractable hard top model with six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition is available exclusively with a Soul Red Metallic exterior accented with a Brilliant Black roof, A-pillars and side mirrors. The contrasting interior comes in off-white leather upholstery and door trim along with a hand-finished decorative panel in Piano Black. The anniversary model rides on 17-inch Dark Gunmetal alloy wheels and features Bilstein shock absorbers.
Mazda says it paid meticulous attention to the weight and balance of the engine’s moving parts, with components such as the pistons, connecting rods and flywheel being preferably lightweight with low inertia, and the original tolerance of these components being set extremely fine. Engineers chose the lightest, best balanced parts for inclusion in the engine, with the result being an engine that revs even more freely, “delivering extraordinary response and acceleration as well as a deeply satisfying engine note,” according to Mazda.
Alongside the special edition model, Mazda will also debut the newly developed Skyactiv-Chassis that will underpin the next-generation MX-5. On display together with the engine, it will be the first adaptation of Skyactiv Technology in a front mid-ship engine, rear-wheel drive layout.
The fourth-generation MX-5 will feature a lower center of gravity, with the engine located closer to the center of the car, resulting in the most compact configuration yet for the MX-5. Mazda also says overall weight will be reduced by more than 100kg (220 lbs) compared to the current model, while at the same time rigidity and crash-worthiness will be enhanced.
By Dan Mihalascu
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