Mazda Releases '20th Anniversary' Special Edition Roadster in Japan

Mazda '20th Anniversary' Special Edition Roadster

By Thami Masemola
July 31, 2009 3:31 PM
Filed Under: Japanese, Mazda

A special edition Mazda MX-5 (or Roadster in Japan and Miata in North America) has been launched at a base price of ¥2,860,000 (about US29,995/ €21,200). The car has been introduced to celebrate 20 years in production and the successes of the MX-5/ Roadster/ Miata brand.

Since its initial launch in 1989 the car has gone through a couple of reincarnations and has also been recognised by Guinness World Records as world's most produced two-seat, open-top sports car. This was after production hit the 800,000 mark. Since then over 860,000 units have been made and sold in about 60 countries.

The special 20th Anniversary edition is based on the Roadster RS soft-top which comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox and the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Some equipment changes have been made to signify the car and the occasion. That means exclusive ‘20th Anniversary' badges, and clear front fog lights, 205/45R17 84W tires and 17-inch aluminum wheels, Fabric soft top with glass rear window (soft-top model only) and unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats with a five-temperature heating function.

Source: Mazda

Press Release (Click to expand)

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^® 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
-	Front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type)
-	Fabric soft top with glass rear window (soft-top model only)
-	Heated seats with five temperature settings
-	Soft padding (synthetic leather door armrests and center console lid)

Body colors
All 20th Anniversary models come in Crystal White Pearl Mica, used for the first time on the Mazda Roadster.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary

Model	Roof	Drive	Engine	Transmission	Price (yen)
					With tax	Without tax
20th Anniversary special edition Roadster	Soft top	RWD	2.0L DOHC	6MT	2,860,000	2,723,810
	RHT			6AT	3,110,000^*	2,961,905

-	A separate recycling fee of 10,910 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above.

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Tags: Mazda MX-5, Mazda Miata, Mazda Roadster, Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary

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Comments

termigni

July 31, 2009 4:34 PM

can we get one here in US?

car-o-bar

July 31, 2009 8:18 PM

Yes.

ricer8

July 31, 2009 9:46 PM

Love it!

joshg_5

August 1, 2009 12:34 AM

Throw the rotary from the RX-8 in there!

WOW...

Dolomight 74-86

August 1, 2009 8:40 AM

If they did that the rx-8 Would become pointless in mazda's lineup.

Ash

August 1, 2009 1:45 PM

WHY would the RX-8 be "pointless", the MX-5 is a 2 door convertible Roadster, the RX-8 is a 4 door hardtop 4 seater sports....there is a lot of difference. BUT yeah , I would love to see a RX-5.

Dolomight 74-86

August 1, 2009 11:00 PM

Personally I look at it form a performance perspective. If the mx-5 had the same engine as their "flagship" sports car it would probably be faster due to the weight difference. So why bother paying the extra like 8000$, when you could by the rotary mx-5 and get a 2 year old mazda 3 for the same price as the rx-8? I'm sure the rx-5 would be the shiznat but I don't think the marketing guys at mazda would go for it.

Schizo0223

August 2, 2009 6:35 PM

The thought of an "RX-5" is tantalizing. But honestly the marketing guys should figure out that the world would rather have an "RX-5" than an RX-8 in its current form.

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