Saturday, February 12, 2011

Chicago Show 2011 Highlights: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition


Our favorite little roadster is growing up so fast—sniff, sniff—it’s now old enough to legally enjoy an adult beverage. But the Mazda Miata managed to remain cool and popular even through its adolescent years, and the nameplate recently surpassed 900,000 units sold worldwide. To celebrate the achievement, Mazda is introducing the 2011 MX-5 Miata Special Edition at this year’s Chicago auto show.

Limited to just 750 units, the Special Edition begins life as a loaded, retractable-hardtop Grand Touring model with Premium package. That means the SE has Bluetooth, satellite radio, xenon headlights, keyless entry and start, and electronic stability control. Also standard is the Suspension pack, which nabs Bilstein shocks, a limited-slip differential, and sportier suspension geometry. But all of the above can be fitted to a regular model, albeit as options.

To make the Special Edition actually, you know, special, Mazda stretches gray-stitched black leather over the steering wheel and parking-brake handle, and then installs gray leather seats, gray door trim, and chrome around the air vents and instrument cluster. The exterior can be sprayed one of two unique colors, Sparkling Black Mica or Dolphin Gray Mica.

While this model isn’t nearly as sweet as the MX-5 Super20 show car built to celebrate the Miata’s 20th birthday, it is nevertheless a good deal for the lucky 750 buyers. Cars equipped with the six-speed manual (stick-shift SEs also add aluminum pedal covers) will ring in at $31,720, and those with automatics at $32,320; both prices are just $225 more than similarly optioned, non-SE cars. If you want one, you might want to start hounding your dealer now: the Special Edition is expected to hit lots this month.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

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