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Happy anniversary: Mazda's MX-5 LTD

  • Limited edition Mazda MX-5
  • Bespoke cabin and exterior
  • Only 1000 to be built

Mazda is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its iconic two-seater sports car in 2014 with a limited-edition model.

Only 1000 will be built, 750 of which are destined for Britain with unit No.1 to be unveiled at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 26-29.

'AFFORDABLE OPEN MOTORING'

Jeremy Thomson, managing director of Mazda UK, said: “To date, three generations of Mazda MX-5 have witnessed the release of over 43 Special Edition models in the UK since 1990.

“None, however, could be more significant to us than this 25th Anniversary Limited Edition which marks such an important milestone for a car that single-handedly re-introduced the world to the pleasures of exhilarating and affordable open-topped motoring."

Its 117kW two-litre engine turns a six-speed manual gearbox which between them can send the car to 100km/h in 7.9sec and on to a maximum of 218km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.6 litres/100km with an emissions rating of 181g/km.

BESPOKE INTERIOR

The limited edition adds to the specification based on the two-litre MX-5 Sport Tech Nav. It has a red metallic paint job, black external mirrors, power-retractable hardtop, 17” alloy rims, a diffuser and chromed exhaust.

The cabin has heatable leather seats, leather trim with red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gearshifter and hand-brake lever. It has '5th Anniversary' embossed on the head restraints and “Limited Edition” badges.

The interior has a hand-painted red facia, back roll-over bars and 25th Anniversary stainless-steel scuff plates.

HISTORY OF AN ICON

First revealed at the 1989 Chicago auto show on February 9, the Mazda MX-5 re-introduced a category of vehicle that had become all but extinct by the early 1970's. It proved to be an instant hit on a global scale, outstripping the automaker’s sales predictions.

When global production reached 531 890 units in May 2000 the Mazda was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's best-selling two-seater sports car.

Global production passed 900 000 in February 2011 and the Mazda MX-5's Guinness certification was duly updated.

Last we heard the facelifted Mazda MX-5 is still available locally from R360 000.
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