The Car That Sparked The Roadster Boom Celebrates 35th Anniversary
The MX-5 35th Anniversary will debut in January.Photo courtesy of Mazda
With over 1.2 units sold since its 1989 debut, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is listed in the Guinness Book as the biggest-selling roadster on the planet. And to celebrate the 35th year in production of this tiny titan, Mazda has announced that it will launch the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition on January 10 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan’s biggest car customizing show.
After its introduction at the Auto Salon, it is expected to go on sale around the world in February for one month or until all of the limited edition 1,000 units are sold.
Since the fourth generation ‘ND’ model debuted in 2016, engineers and designers have employed the company’s program of ‘kaizen’ (improvement) by continually fine tuning the steering, engine performance and transmission, and suspension as well as the exterior and interior design. Featuring a new bespoke Artisan Red exterior color, optional tan-colored nappa leather interior and bespoke badging, Mazda USA will showcase this special model at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona in late January.
In addition to the Artisan Red Premium Metallic unique to the MX-5 35th Anniversary, customers can choose from the Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue or Machine Grey Metallic premium paints with Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue Metallic, Aero Grey Metallic or Jet Black Mica rounding out the options.
The cabin gets an optional tan colored leather.Photo courtesy of Mazda
The revised model is sport-tuned with Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace, induction sound enhancer, and an Asymmetric conical clutch type LSD. Additional safety features for the 35th anniversary include an Adaptive Front-lighting System, High Beam Control, and Traffic Sign Recognition with Grand Touring models employing optional Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Distance & Speed Alert.
Revised Model To Get DSC-Track Mode
Amplifying the ‘Jinbai Ittai’ philosophy of ‘horse and rider as one’, the circuit-developed DSC-TRACK mode also makes its way to the 35th Anniversary Edition – a Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) control technology that offers a pure driving experience by lowering the intervention threshold and allowing some oversteer fun.
When the mercurial two-door coupe was launched 36 years ago, it sparked a global roadster boom that led to the creation of the Mercedes SLK, BMW Z3, Audi TT, Porsche Boxster and Fiat Barchetta, among others.
Prices To Start From $29,330
The latest version of the sports car comes with a soft top model in addition to a hard top retractable fastback or RF. At the time of publication it was not clear how many of the 1,000 units would be allocated to the U.S., but we were told that pricing would start at $29,330 for the base Miata Sport 6MT Soft Top, while the hard top Grand Touring 6MT RF would set you back $37,350 and $38,320 for the 6AT RF model.
While a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter model pumping out 134-hp is available in limited markets including its home market of Japan, U.S. models will be powered exclusively by the more potent 181-hp Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter and 151 lb-ft of torque and is mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the rear wheels.
It also comes with Kinematic Posture Control, a system that works with the rear suspension and brakes to help suppress body roll when cornering. It’s also fitted with the Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential which further increases stability and improves steering precision while cornering.
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