Monday 1st February 2010

MX-5 To Get 20th Birthday Tart-Up

Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Limited Edition set for Geneva show launch

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Mostly cosmetic tweaks for limited-run MX-5

A limited-edition Mazda MX-5, celebrating two decades of the iconic roadster's production, will be launched at the Geneva motor show next month.

The imaginatively named Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is intended to focus on the simple driving pleasures of open-top motoring, and so uses the 124bhp 1.8-litre entry-level motor rather than the 158bhp 2.0-litre engine.

Performance won't be electrifying, then - the MX-5 takes 9.9secs to reach 62mph and is all done at 121mph.

To make up for the relative lack of performance, Mazda is throwing plenty of bits and bobs at the 2000-example run. This mostly includes cosmetic tweaks such as unique 17-inch alloys, a sprinkling of '20th Anniversary' logos and chrome for the grille, door handles and headlamp surrounds.

Each model also gets a special edition scuff plate in stainless steel with its unique serial number (from 1 to 2000), and buyers can choose from 'True Red', 'Crystal White Pearl' and a new 'Aurora Blue'.

The only dynamic enhancement is the addition of a front suspension bracing bar, but we suppose there's nothing wrong with getting a new set of clothes for your birthday, which is what this special edition really amounts to. No prices have been revealed as yet, but the regular 1.8 model starts at £16,795.

[LukeBird]

A good idea in principle, but only with the 1.8 litre engine?
What?!

[Roberty]

They're really putting the 'Spethsial' in Special Edition!

[edo]

Shame, missed opportunity for a lighter, quicker version.

2.0 Engine with a sports exhaust and tweaked for nearer 200bhp.
LSD
6 speed
Blisteins
Lightweight sports seats
Remove some trim
No a/c / Stero

[hornetrider]

What a waste of time - and I speak as a died in the wool MX5 fan.

[Hammerhead]

Less bling - more zing!

[neil_bolton]

If anyone in the Mazda marketing department is reading:

The current MX5 with all the options is completely opposite to the original.

The reason the original was so good was because it didn't have any crap in it, and was light.

You therefore could fit a small engine and get away with it.

However, you're not going to pull the wool over our eyes with this one: I mean, 9.9 seconds to 60?

If you're after the people who care not of their driving experience, and more about looks, you're going to lose a lot of sales to the MINI's and CC's etc of this world.

Waste of time Mazda.

Grow some balls and release the Superlight that we were all fawning over. Preferably with skinny tyres and a diff please.

[will-w]

Really don't understand where Mazda are going with this one, maybe it aimed towards the 'Eco Warrior' market who would never buy the 2.0 as it's too polluting? Saying that, they probably wouldn't got for an MX-5 anyway!

Needs a larger engine, or a charger of some kind bolted to it... IMO of course!

[ProfessorPeach]

I wish they'd make a proper MX5 coupe, rather than a CC.

A sort of updating of the MGB GT.

With a turbo.

[Agrilla]

Very disappointing, and as someone else said, a real missed opportunity for a bit of reflection back to it's original brief

[MrTappets]

Looks like Mazda is trying to bolster the idea that the MX5 is no longer a serious driver's car. It's all gone a bit hairdresser.

Seriously, who the hell thinks, "Hmmmm, what will my ideal roadster have? I know - some chrome bits and lots of Special Edition badges!"

What do we want? AN LSD!
When do we want it? NOW!
What do we want...

[soad]

Underpowered, tarted-up limited edition? No, thanks. They can keep it.

I don't care about the cosmetic bits, give it more power!

[WCZ]

Am I the only person who just isn't interested in any model revisions / special editions unless they actually add something to the car from a driving point of view?

[carsnapper]

Even for an MX-5, that is desperately underpowered...you'd have to wrench the guts out of it to have much fun.

I would love to see an MX-5 with 180-220 N.A. 4 pot block. (Honda VTEC type) or even the 212 HP rotary out of the RX-8.

[stephen300o]

It looks a lot nicer now to me. The previous incarnations did nothing for me.

[Bill]

neil_bolton said:

If you're after the people who care not of their driving experience, and more about looks, you're going to lose a lot of sales to the MINI's and CC's etc of this world.

Or steal them...

Either way it's a horrible step in the wrong direction for the MX5.

[BluePurpleRed]

Hmm.. not impressed. Smaller engine and loads of kit, as said above.. the wrong way round for a special edition. Shame, I mean you could get this off the options list, why not do something actually special edition like a super lightweight, fixed hardtop with cage. Aka a mini GT3 alike or something!

Its got giant foglights for the 'look at me I have foglights' brigade. I bet 50% of these cars will have them all the time.

[missing the VR6]

The 1.8 revs much more freely than the 2.0 and many belive it's the better engine than the 2.0 in the MK3 sahape.

Having done quite a few miles in 1.8's and 2.0 and being a big fan of the MK3 I can't help but feel this is slightly cynical special edition!

[Fire99]

Mazda in "We don't know what to do with the MX5" shocker!

I think they don't know if they'll sell more MX5's if they make it soft and squidy with all the options or raw, focussed and er good!

I think the Mazda accountants are going with option 1.

[wab172uk]

edo said:

Shame, missed opportunity for a lighter, quicker version.

2.0 Engine with a sports exhaust and tweaked for nearer 200bhp.
LSD
6 speed
Blisteins
Lightweight sports seats
Remove some trim
No a/c / Stero

Hair dressers don't need all of the above though.

[Dan_1981]

wab172uk said:

edo said:

Shame, missed opportunity for a lighter, quicker version.

2.0 Engine with a sports exhaust and tweaked for nearer 200bhp.
LSD
6 speed
Blisteins
Lightweight sports seats
Remove some trim
No a/c / Stero

Hair dressers don't need all of the above though.

Ba Dum tish - should i try the chicken or the liver?