Currently reading: Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition now available in UK

Limited-run model arrives with race-inspired additions and colour scheme; just 550 examples on sale in the UK

Mazda's 30th Anniversary Edition Mazda MX-5 has arrived in the UK, as the company celebrates three decades of one of the world's most popular roadsters. 

The model was first revealed at this year's Chicago motor show, where the original two-seat sports car made its debut in 1989.

The limited-run model arrives with exclusive Racing Orange paint, inspired by the 1989 MX-5 Club Racer, and forged 17in, 10-spoke aluminium Rays alloy wheels based on the ones used in the Global MX-5 Cup racing series. Plus, a 30th Anniversary badge features on the front wing.

The car also receives 15in Brembo front brakes – a first for any UK-market MX-5 – and body-coloured brake callipers. The Anniversary Edition rides on Bilstein dampers and uses the most powerful 181bhp version of Mazda's 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. 

Mazda has also added orange accents throughout the interior, replaced the standard dashboard trim with Alcantara and upgraded the seats to a sportier Recaro pair. The 7.0in-screen infotainment system includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring as standard.

Only 3000 30th Anniversary Edition models will be produced, with the UK receiving 550 of those, split between 370 soft-tops, priced at £28,095, and 180 RF hard-tops, which receive a black two-tone roof, costing £29,985.

More than a million examples of the MX-5 have been sold worldwide since its introduction in 1989, with the two-seater entering its fourth, and current, generation in 2014. 

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LP in Brighton 16 July 2019

Can't they sell them?

Is this the same orange 30th anniversary special edition that we were told about in February, of which 600 were allocated for the UK? If so, then with 550 remaining then they don't seem to be selling too well.

Also, with the Mk4 now in its 5th year (hard to believe I know), is it effectively a run-out model for this generation? 

That said, this version is a brilliant car and i am sure there are / will be some great bargains to be had!

bol 16 July 2019

Yes and no

LP in Brighton wrote:

Is this the same orange 30th anniversary special edition that we were told about in February, of which 600 were allocated for the UK? If so, then with 550 remaining then they don't seem to be selling too well.

Also, with the Mk4 now in its 5th year (hard to believe I know), is it effectively a run-out model for this generation? 

That said, this version is a brilliant car and i am sure there are / will be some great bargains to be had!

Yes, same car. Now you can buy one - and yes, I’m sure there will be bargains to be had given the volume and the colour.

No, it won’t be a run out model. The Mk1 was on sale for nine years (or 16 if you include the mk2 facelift), and the mk3 for 10. No new model on the horizon, and given the move towards electric I wonder whether there will be until that’s a viable option.

It looks lovely in the flesh, but for me the colour is a bit loud for a daily driver. I’ll be sticking with my mk1 for now.

 

 

xxxx 16 July 2019

Orange corrosion

Good choice of colour as it reminds me of rusty MX-5 wheel arches.

si73 16 July 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

Good choice of colour as it reminds me of rusty MX-5 wheel arches.

Sills surely, they're usually far worse, my mk1s arches are perfect, sills were less so.

jason_recliner 16 July 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

Good choice of colour as it reminds me of rusty MX-5 wheel arches.

Yep, the colour is superb. Those mint Rays alloys really make it pop.

A rare new bargain, especially for a L.E. with so much SWEET gear!

jason_recliner 11 February 2019

Perfect!

This is the one tho have.