Mazda
Motor Corporation is unveiling the new Mazda MX-5 Miata (Japanese name: Mazda
Roadster) 25th Anniversary Edition sportscar at the New York International Auto
Show. The special edition model was created to celebrate 25 years since the
launch of Mazda’s iconic roadster, the Mazda MX-5, at the Chicago Auto Show in
the USA. The automaker will reveal a newly-developed SKYACTIV-Chassis that will
form the basis of the next generation all-new Mazda MX-5.
According
to a company note, since its launch in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 has consistently
offered the kind of fun that only a lightweight sportscar can deliver, and has
won a huge variety of fans from different countries, cultures and age groups.
More than 940,000 units have been produced so far (to end March 2014) and the
model continues to hold the Guinness World Record for the best-selling
two-seater sportscar.
Based
on the 2.0-litre 160ps Roadster Coupe model with power retractable hard top and
either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, it is available exclusively
in Soul Red Metallic.
The
car comes with a Brilliant Black-painted roof, A-pillars, and door mirror
housings; the off-white leather seat upholstery and door trim, hand-finished
dashboard decorative panel in Piano Black and the fitting of Bilstein dampers
plus 17-inch Dark Gunmetal alloy wheels.
The
newly developed SKYACTIV-Chassis will be used for the upcoming next-generation,
all-new Mazda MX-5. While the next Mazda
MX-5 will feature the most compact configuration of any generation of the MX-5,
the engine will be located closer to the vehicle’s centre and the vehicle’s
centre of gravity will be lower than in any previous Mazda MX-5. The upcoming
model has been engineered and developed to achieve outstanding body rigidity
and crashworthiness, while also reducing the overall weight by more than 100kg.
Mazda’s
Chairman of the Board, Takashi Yamanouchi said, “The original concept behind
the MX-5 was so simple; to offer the pure joy of a lightweight sportscar that
moves precisely as the driver intends. While responding to increasing safety
and environmental requirements, over the 25 years since its launch we have had
to continually reinvent the MX-5 – far beyond simple evolution – in order to
stay true to that original ideal. The history of the MX-5 is one of changing
everything in order to stay the same. A history of innovating in order to
preserve the ideal.”
Source: Mazda Motor Corporation