Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition revealed

Mazda has pulled the covers off its celebration of three decades of the MX-5, or Miata Roadster, in the form of the 2019 Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition.

Finished in bright ‘Racing Orange’ and featuring a host of kit for keen drivers, the 30th Anniversary Edition will be limited to 3000 cars worldwide.

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The reveal of this edition coincides with the launch of the MX-5 almost 30 years ago to the day on February 9th, 1989.

The NA MX-5 became an instant hit, with a sub-tonne kerb weight and revvy 1.6-litre four, as well as the engineering reliability that lacked in the early days of sportscar motoring.

The new 30th Anniversary Edition has come at an opportune time in the MX-5’s lifespan, as the current ND generation has arguably made a close to its NA roots.

Fitted to the MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition will be Rays alloys developed specifically for the MX-5, Alcantara trim, Recaro sports seats, Bilstein dampers, and a mix of Brembo and Nissin brake calipers at the front and rear respectively.

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“After 30 years and with more than 1 million examples sold, Mazda feels that the MX-5 is no longer its own creation,” Mazda says in a statement.

“It belongs to the fans around the world who have supported the development of the model.

“To express its gratitude, and its high hopes for the future of the MX-5, the company developed Racing Orange, an exclusive body colour that evokes the breaking dawn of an exciting new day.”

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Australia will receive just 30 units of the 30th Anniversary Edition, with all of these being the Roadster GT as opposed to the RF.

The UK, however, will receive 600 units – 20 times the number that will show up here.

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Mazda’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson says this is because an affinity with small, light sportscars is well set in the UK, being the home of the classic roadsters of the mid-20th Century.

“This is a sports car that has resonated with enthusiastic British drivers ever since its debut and four generations on it’s as popular as ever,” Thomson says.

“Along the way, it has remained true to the original principle of being an affordable, lightweight and above all fun-to-drive roadster.”

Mazda Australia hasn’t confirmed pricing or an expected arrival, but says the Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition will be offered to “customers on a first come first served basis, communicated via email.”