Mazda launches ‘farewell’ edition for MX-5

MAZDA’S last hurrah for the current-generation MX-5 sports coupe goes on sale today ahead of an all-new model set to be unveiled in about a month’s time.

Australia has received an allocation of 40 limited-edition 25th Anniversary MX-5s, with more than a quarter of the iconic roadsters already accounted for – 13 have already been snapped up by keen local MX-5 enthusiasts ahead of the official 10am on-sale time.

Globally, Mazda has produced just 1000 25th Anniversary editions, and the Japanese car-maker’s local arm expects keen buyers to snag the remaining 27 MX-5s, with people who have registered interest in the sportscar first in line.

Australia’s allocation of 40 vehicles is made up of 24 with a six-speed manual gearbox, priced from $48,380, plus on-road costs, and 16 with a six-speed automatic transmission starting from $49,990.

This pricing places it above the entry level MX-5 Roadster Coupe which starts from $47,280 for the manual ($49,405 for the auto) and below the Roadster Coupe Sports which starts at $49,885 ($52,010 for the auto).

To highlight its special status, Mazda has included a 25th Anniversary badge with a serial number and one-off metallic exterior paint – Soul Red – as well as black A-pillars, mirror caps and a retractable roof.

The cabin gains off-white leather upholstery and door trims with a black leather armrest, steering wheel and manual gearshift knob featuring red contrast stitching. Stainless steel scuff plates with the 25th Anniversary logo and a red decoration panel add to the interior highlights.

Mazda is including a his-and-hers MX-5 branded Tourneau commemorative watch set made from surgical quality stainless steel, with a sapphire crystal face and black leather strap with contrasting red stitching.

Since its debut at the New York motor show earlier this year, Mazda says the 25th Anniversary has experienced huge demand, with the sporty roadster selling out within minutes in Japan, its home market, and the US.

The limited-edition model was launched to celebrate the 25th birthday of the iconic drop-top, which became something of an instant classic when it went on sale in 1989, winning praise for its sharp handling and sporty performance.

The company says that the MX-5 has even entered the Guinness World Records list as the highest selling two-seat, open-top sportscar, with more than 940,000 sold worldwide across three generations.

In Australia, sales of the ageing MX-5 have slowed this year, with just 44 finding homes in the first half of 2014 compared with 92 in the same period last year.

The highly anticipated fourth-generation version is set to be officially revealed early next month in a simultaneous unveiling in Japan, the US and Europe, with local sales expected to start in 2015.

Mazda is sharing the underpinnings of the next-gen MX-5 with an as-yet unnamed Fiat-badged sportscar.

2014 Mazda MX-5 pricing*

25th Anniversary	$48,380
25th Anniversary (a)	$49,990

*Excludes on-road costs.