MX-5 goes limited

MAZDA Australia has introduced a "Limited Edition" (110 units) model based on its leather-clad MX-5 Soft Top Touring, which last year comprised 70 per cent of soft-top MX-5 sales.

It adds 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, Bilstein shock absorbers, "sand" leather seat, steering wheel and parking brake trim, and brushed aluminium-look dashboard trim to replace the Touring's piano black highlights.

Other cabin modifications include stainless steel scuff plates and chrome rings on the air-vents and meter rings, while exterior changes also run to chrome on the grille, door-handles and headlight bezels.



Priced from $47,630, the LE will available in black, green and blue exterior colours and available only with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The extra features are in addition to the MX-5 Soft Top Touring's standard cruise control, six-CD player, wheel-mounted audio controls, tilt-adjustable steering, air-conditioning and premium seven-speaker 200-watt Bose sound system.

Standard safety features continue to include include ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), dynamic stability control (DSC) with traction control (TCS), dual front and side airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters.

While the Limited Edition’s Bilstein shock absorbers are claimed to deliver a more comfortable ride without diminishing wheel/tyre control, the MX-5's 118kW/188Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine remains unchanged.

"With limited numbers available, this is a great opportunity to own an exclusive version of Australia’s and the world’s best-selling sports car," said Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson.

According to Mazda, about 750,000 MX-5s have been sold globally, making it the world’s best-selling sports car.

Last year Mazda sold 1468 MX-5s in Australia, making it the best-selling sub-$80,000 sports car with a 14.6 per cent market share. No other sports car in the segment broke the 1000 sales barrier last year.