Mazda Miata Makes 20 (Again), Issues Special Edition Model

Mazda Roadster 20th anniversary edition

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Back in February at the Chicago Auto Show, Mazda displayed a candy-colored array of Mazda Miatas (known elsewhere in the world as the MX-5 or the Roadster) to celebrate the model's 20th year of production. Now, the Hiroshima-based automaker is releasing a special edition of the popular two-seater for Japanese fans.

As you might expect, most of the upgrades in the special edition are cosmetic. The Roadster 20th Anniversary is distinguished first and foremost by its pristine coat of Crystal White Pearl Mica paint, a new tone for the model. The red bucket seats (by RECARO) offer an aggressive splash of color to the otherwise neutral palette, and the decisively sporty 17-inch wheels give this variant more bite than its open-edition kin. Heated seats are a nice luxury touch -- especially for drop-top drivers in chilly areas. The Roadster offers both soft-top and retractable hard-top options, as well as six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

The Roadster 20th Anniversary starts at ¥2,860,000 ($30 104) for the soft-top, ¥3,110,000 ($32 735) for the hard-top. For the time-being, it's available only in Japan, but buyers on this side of the Pacific -- and elsewhere around the globe -- will soon have their turn.

[Carscoop]