Mazda releases 20th Anniversary Edition Miata for JDM faithful
20th Anniversary Mazda Miata -- Click above for high-res image
Japan gets to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Mazda MX-5/Miata with a special edition for JDM buyers only. The Crystal White Pearl Mica roadster comes in two varieties: an RS soft-top with a 6-speed manual, and a VS hardtop with a 6-speed automatic. Both cars get red-and-black heated Recaros, extra cabin padding, clear front fog lights, a strut tower brace, and (of course) the requisite splash of 20th anniversary badging. You can read about it in the press release after the jump, and check out a high-res photo by clicking the image above.
[Source: Mazda]
PRESS RELEASE
HIROSHIMA, Japan-To commemorate 20 years of Mazda Roadster (known overseas as the Mazda MX-5) sales, Mazda Motor Corporation has released a special edition version of its lightweight, two-seat, open-top sports car for the Japanese market. The Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships nationwide.
Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the Mazda Roadster has attracted a wide range of customers since its launch in 1989, and is currently sold in approximately 60 countries. The Roadster was certified as the world's most produced two-seat, open-top sports cars by Guinness World Records when production reached 800,000 units. Total production of the Mazda Roadster now stands in excess of 860,000 units.
The Roadster 20th Anniversary is based on the Roadster RS soft-top model with a six-speed manual transmission, and the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) hard-top model with a six-speed automatic transmission. Special equipment includes unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats, exclusive '20th Anniversary' badges, and clear front fog lights.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price (including sales tax) is 2,860,000 yen for the soft-top version and 3,110,000 yen for the RHT model.
Main features of the special edition Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary
Base models
Mazda Roadster RS with manually-operated soft-top and six-speed manual transmission, and Mazda Roadster VS RHT with Mazda's groundbreaking power retractable roof system and six-speed automatic transmission.
Special equipment
- RECARO bucket sport seats (Black Alcantara®*1 and red leather)
- Exclusive '20th Anniversary' badges (on each side fender)
- Clear front fog lights and bezels*2
- 205/45R17 84W tires and 17-inch aluminum wheels*3
- Front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type)*3
- Fabric soft top with glass rear window (soft-top model only)
- Heated seats with five temperature settings*4
- Soft padding (synthetic leather door armrests and center console lid)*4
*1 Alcantara® is a registered trademark owned by Alcantara S.p.A.
*2 Fog lamp bezels are black on the soft-top model and silver on the RHT model.
*3 Special equipment on the RHT model only (standard equipment on the soft-top base model).
*4 Special equipment on the soft-top model only (standard equipment on the RHT base model).
Body colors
All 20th Anniversary models come in Crystal White Pearl Mica, used for the first time on the Mazda Roadster.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
funbus 5:27PM (8/02/2009)
Nice, I thought it was a new S2000 release at first glance.
Reply
erusnak 5:41PM (8/02/2009)
I hate everything about that car except the seats.
The color is nowhere near as nice as the 10th Anniversary color.
The face that if you want a hardtop, you have to get an auto sucks.
The front end is still ugly.
It should have more power (I know the 10th didn't, but it least had a 6 speed where all other 1999 miatas had 5 speeds).
Reply
longbowmkii 11:18AM (8/05/2009)
a white pearl mica doesnt really show well in photos, so you really dont know how good the color is. a convertible hardtop automatic makes sense. the hardtop is already a compromise.
the AE editions never were about hardcore racing. theyve really both been luxury upgrades. i would like to see a NC R-edition to be a racer version, but i guess mazda isnt interested in that now since there isnt even a MS version.
im torn on those seats. sound nice but very heavy.
Lee Gibson 8:26PM (8/02/2009)
I wonder if I can just get the seats?
If I could get the hard top with a manual, I might even upgrade. But automatic? No. Not ever.
Reply
mr.ed 3:35PM (8/05/2009)
The seats are terrible. No lumbar support, too narrow, too little bolstering and rock hard. Otherwise, I love mine. Now considering the Miata Mania blower...