Mazda MX-5 limited edition

Mazda has unveiled a 2.0-litre special of its iconic MX-5 two-seater, available to just 750 customers.

The 25th Anniversary Limited Edition, on sale from 1 August 2014, will come with bespoke interior and exterior design.

First revealed to the public on February 9th at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, the Mazda MX-5 caused a sensation, reintroducing a category of vehicle that had become all but extinct by the early ’70s. It was an instant hit on a global scale, far outstripping the company’s own sales predictions.

In May 2000, the MX-5 was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car in history, and by 2011, 900,000 had been built globally.

Just 1,000 individually numbered examples of the Mazda MX-5 special will be built and it’s a testament to Britain’s enduring love affair with open-topped motoring that 750 of them will be made available to UK customers.

The 25th Anniversary Limited Edition will feature a special red metallic paint finish is complemented, black door mirrors and A pillars, plus a power-operated retractable hardtop roof.

It will also boast 17-inch Dark gun metal alloy wheels, a rear diffuser and chrome exhaust trim, plus unique, “limited edition” numbered external badging.

Inside, the special will include heated, leather trimmed upholstery which incorporates contrasting red stitching to the seats, steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake lever, plus 25th Anniversary logo-embossed headrests, black roll-over bar covers and an alloy pedal set.

The 2.0-litre, 16v engine allied to a six-speed manual transmission will power the MX-5 to 136mph in under eight seconds.

A next generation MX-5, with a more chiselled profile and “Mazda” front end, is expected to be unveiled in February 2015.