Happy birthday to MX-5

Feb 10 2010 Maurice Glover

Happy birthday to MX-5

BRITISH sales of an iconic Japanese roadster are set to overtake the 100,000 mark this year as a special version goes into the showrooms.

Mazda will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MX-5 by introducing a special version of the sports car next month.

"Launching this car in spring when open top motoring has added appeal is the perfect way to celebrate this country's long-term love affair with the model," according to Mazda UK sales and marketing director Mark Cameron.

"We think the relationship shows every sign of continuing to flourish through the next decade," he adds.

In the true spirit of the original, the new Limited Edition model is based on the entry-level soft-top 1.8 SE convertible.

Priced at £16,850, it features 10 additional items of equipment worth more than £650 and costs significantly less than the original MX-5 of 1990 when prices are adjusted for inflation.

Additional equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels with a unique silver finish, front fog lights, chrome trims around the grille, headlamps and fog lights, body-coloured roll bars and a supporting strut brace.

Inside, the stainless steel scuff plate features a unique '20th Anniversary' logo and limited edition number, premium '20th Anniversary' branded floor mats, a body-coloured front dashboard, aluminium pedal set, and manual air-conditioning.