Mazda has decided to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the MX-5 with a special version intended for the Japanese market. This is the “35th Anniversary Model,” which introduces the Artisan Red Premium Metallic color.
This special anniversary version of the iconic model from the Hiroshima brand will be available in both body styles: soft top with a fabric roof and RF with an electrically retractable hardtop.
The standout feature of this anniversary edition is the body paint in Artisan Red Premium Metallic, a special paint that is the fourth in Mazda to use the unique application technique known as “Takuminuri.” This technology produces a paint of high precision and quality on a mass production line, giving the appearance that it has been hand-painted by a skilled artisan.
Under direct light, one can see the intense shine of a finely grained and transparent red, while in shaded areas, which are the base tone, there is a high-contrast expression that creates solid depth and richness, enhancing the strength and beauty of the shapes.
First introduced on the Mazda CX-80, Mazda’s recently launched top-of-the-line SUV, this color now makes its debut on the popular roadster, exclusively for this anniversary version.
In terms of equipment, in addition to the features typically found in the top-of-the-line versions sold in Japan, these versions include, on the exterior, a numbered plate placed next to the rear wheel arch, and 17-inch aluminum wheels with 8 double spokes and a glossy finish.
The interior features light brown leather on the dashboard, doors, and seats, which come with headrests embossed with “35th Anniversary,” as well as contrasting stitching on the steering wheel, gear shift knob, and handbrake lever. Additionally, there are dark red decorations inside the air vents, and floor mats and overlays in a darker brown, complementing the overall design and contrasting with the black elements.
Mazda announced that it will produce 1,000 units of this anniversary version for the Japanese market, divided between the soft-top version, which is sold only with the 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine producing 132 hp and a six-speed manual transmission, and the retractable hardtop variant, which is equipped with the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine producing 184 hp and either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission.
