New Mazda MX-5 Special Edition Comes to the States, will Debut in Chicago

Earlier today, we told you about the Australian market Mazda MX-5 Special Edition featuring a sports suspension kit and some exclusive styling touches. Well, we now learn that the same model will be offered in the States in a limited run of 750 units, albeit at a much lower price as the U.S. version starts at $30,925 with a manual transmission, and $31,525 when equipped with the six-speed Sport AT automatic. That's compared to US$47,800 for the Aussie market model.

The Special Edition is based off of a fully-equipped Grand Touring model with the retractable hard top, and is available only in two new colors, Sparkling Black Mica or Dolphin Gray Mica. It rides on 17-inch Bright Finish aluminum alloy wheels.

Inside, the limited run version of the MX-5 gets gray door trim and heated leather seats with gray stitching, a black leather-wrapped parking brake and steering wheel with contrasting gray stitching, chrome treatments to the air vents and instrument cluster, plus aluminum pedals when equipped with a manual gearbox.

The most important addition is the Suspension package, which is optional on the Touring and Grand Touring model, and includes Bilstein shocks, a limited slip differential (LSD) and a sport-tuned suspension.

Power for the Limited Edition comes from the standard 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four with 167-horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda has not yet released a launch date for the limited edition MX-5, but we assume that it will be available shortly after its debut at this week's Chicago Auto Show.

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Aussies get New Mazda MX-5 Special Edition with Bilstein-tuned Suspension

A new special edition version of the MX-5 with some very minor styling and suspension upgrades has been added to Mazda's vehicle range in Australia. A total of 200 MX-5 Special Editions are being brought into the country with Mazda announcing that the upgrades are being added at no additional cost.

However, this should not comfort Australian buyers as the list price of the limited edition model is a hefty AUS$47,200 (~US$47,800), or roughly the same as a 430HP 2011 Corvette Coupe (US$48,950) in the U.S. We understand that prices between different markets are not comparable for a variety of reasons, but close to $50 grand for an MX-5?

The highlight of the special edition model is the addition of a Bilstein-tuned suspension, which promises to further improve the roadster's handling. A bright painted strut tower bar is also part of the suspension package.

On the outside, the MX-5 Special Edition gets new bright painted 17-inch alloy wheels and the choice of two new colors, Dolphin Grey Mica and Sparkling Black Mica, along with an Aluminium Metallic finish.

Inside, the driver and passenger are greeted by unique grey colored leather seats which are complemented by a leather steering wheel and handbrake both featuring grey highlight stitching, while the chrome meter rings and air vent bezels complete the look.

Mazda Australia marketing manager, Alastair Doak, said "The Mazda MX-5 is an iconic car with enthusiasts across the world making it the best-selling two seater roadster of all-time. Offering a limited number of MX-5 Special Editions to Australian consumers will ensure it appeals to the enthusiasts out there who are seeking something a little different."

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Mazda MX-5 Achieves Another Milestone as Production Reaches 900,000 Units

The world's most popular roadster model ever, the Mazda MX-5 (also known as Roadster in Japan and Miata in North America), is celebrating yet another milestone in its enviable history as total production reached 900,000 units on February 4, 2011. This latest milestone was achieved 21 years and 10 months after mass production of the first-generation MX-5 commenced in April 1989.

The MX-5 was initially certified by Guinness World Records as the world's "Best selling two-seat sports car" when production reached 531,890 units in May 2000, with the record being updated when sales passed the 700,000 and, later, 800,000 mark. Mazda is currently reapplying to Guinness World Records to have the record updated to 900,000 units.

Nobuhiro Yamamoto, program manager of the current MX-5, said, "Since Mazda launched the original MX-5, it has undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades. Its enduring success is due to the strong support it enjoys from MX-5 fans around the world. Going forward, I will strive to keep the MX-5's spirit alive while evolving it into a car that will be loved by even more people."

To this day, the MX-5 remains the longest enduring nameplate in Mazda's global lineup, and from the looks of it, this isn't going to change soon with the Japanese firm planning to further develop the model.

"As we head toward the next production milestone of one million units, Mazda is committed to further evolving the MX-5," said Mazda's executive officer in charge of development, Seita Kanai. "We will refine its fun-to-drive character and further enhance its environmental and safety capabilities. As Mazda passes its 91st birthday, we are turning our sights toward our 100th anniversary. In the years ahead, we will continue to cherish the MX-5, alongside its loyal fan base, as the symbol of the Mazda brand."

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Top Gear's Christmas Special Cars go on Display at the World of Top Gear Exhibition in the UK

This year’s Top Gear Christmas Special saw Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May embark on their most dangerous challenge yet: following the path of the three wise men, which took them on a 1,200 mile (1,932 km) journey, from Iraq to Bethlehem. In classic Top Gear fashion, the TV show hosts completed the trip in a trio of specially modified cars. These vehicles are now on display in the World of Top Gear exhibition at Beaulieu, UK.

Jeremy Clarkson bet his money on a Mazda MX5 that featured a unique “car of many colors” paintjob, an “axle of evil” and body full of holes, as a testimony to a “bulletproofing” plan gone wrong. An oversized bullbar and hookah pipe were also installed, but the latter fell off at some point in the journey.

James May went for an Afrika Korps and Luftwaffe themed BMW Z3, complete with a shovel and pickaxe mounted on the bonnet, plus a gas canister on the left fender.

Richard Hammond used a Fiat Barchetta, which, surprisingly, proved to be quite reliable. Special touches applied included actual “bits” of desert glued to the front of the car and parts of a Bedouin tent strapped to the rear.

World of Top Gear features a collection of cars used over the years in different challenges by the cast of the TV show and it also includes the “Enormodrome”, a recreation of the actual studio where the show is filmed.

“We like to keep the exhibition as up to date as we possibly can and what could be better than for fans to see the show on TV and then the cars just a few days later”, said Stephen Munn, Commercial Director at the National Motor Museum.

For more information visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.

By Csaba Daradics

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BBR Re-Launches Turbo Kits for Mazda MX-5 Mk1 and Mk2

In celebration of the 1990 launch of the original MX-5 BBR turbo, British tuning firm BBR has released a 20th Anniversary turbo conversion package for the Mk1 and Mk2 variants of the roadster model in both 1.6 and 1.8-liter guises, as well a more comprehensive tune for the Mk1 with additional chassis and styling mods. We'll remind you that BBR also joined forces with Cosworth to unveil a supercharger kit for the latest MX-5 Mk3, more of which you can read in our previous article here.

The starting package from BBR for the first and second generation MX-5s concentrates on the engine upgrades. Along with the Garrett GT25 Turbocharger with integral waste gate control, water cooling and ported turbine housing with ceramic coating, the kit adds an array of upgrades including a new cool air induction system and an ECU tune.

On the 1.6-liter MX-5 Mk1 and Mk2 models, output increases to a "dyno-proven" 221 bhp at 6900 rpm and 175 lb.ft of torque at 5100 rpm. For 1.8-litre engined cars, the peak power and torque output will be correspondingly higher, though BBR did not release specific numbers.

The turbo package including fitting at BBR’s Brackley based workshop is priced at £4,995 (approx. €5,960 or US$7,750), while a DIY (Do It Yourself) version of the kit is also available as an option, priced at £3,995 (€4,780 or US$6,200).

BBR's second proposal for the MX-5 focuses on the Mk1. Aside from 221bhp turbo kit, this package adds full leather seats and a paint finish in a color of the owner’s choice with prices starting at £7,500 (about €8,960 or US$11,600). Buyers can further enhance the tune with several upgrades including larger brakes, an LSD, bigger alloys and additional power upgrades.

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BBR Anniversary Phase One Turbo Specification:

• Garrett GT25 ball bearing Turbocharger with integral waste gate control, water cooling & ported turbine housing with ceramic coating for improved thermal management
• High temperature alloy cast exhaust manifold with ceramic coating and stainless steel heat shield
• Front mounted Air to Air Intercooler and associated pipe work, powder coated black for factory style discretion
• Competition standard hoses and fixings throughout
• Auxiliary BBR Interceptor 2010 engine management computer with 3-dimensional mapping and external manifold pressure sensor
• BBR specification larger fuel injectors
• Stainless steel separated gases exhaust down pipe
• New cool air induction system
• Modified sump
• Modified coolant and oil system piping
• Special BBR Turbo identification badges with BBR anniversary plaque
• Priced at £4995.00 fitted

BBR enhanced complete Mk1 Mazda MX-5 Options:

• A big brake kit including larger calipers
• A limited slip differential
• A longer final drive (for relaxed motorway cruising at lower revs)
• Larger diameter alloy wheels
• Further power upgrades

From BBR Press Release: The History of the BBR Mazda MX-5 Turbo

In 1990, exactly twenty years ago, renowned tuner and BTCC entrant Brodie Brittain Racing (BBR) was approached by Japanese car importer Mazda UK to tender for a 150BHP Turbo kit to fit the new MX-5 sportscar. Initially, there was an expectation that production would run to around 200 units.

Naturally there was competition to win the tender from other UK tuners, but BBR commenced work on the most economic turbo layout for the MX-5. In addition the criteria from Mazda UK demanded that the MX-5 turbo kit was to be a dealer fitment, so it was vital that the key components were simple to install - ‘like Lego,’ recalls Dave Brodie.

After an intensive development process BBR had soon established an ideal turbocharger package and subsequently won the Mazda UK tender, which contained strict design briefs regarding power limitations. One of the biggest design issues in this process was controlling the on boost fuelling, as there was no facility for this in the original Mazda ECU. Rising to the challenge BBR developed its own piggy back ECU called Interceptor, which enabled BBR to manipulate the electronic map settings from the original Mazda ECU to optimise the engine’s fuelling and ignition parameters for the turbocharger set up.

The end result was a Mazda UK approved, dealer fit, turbocharger kit that increased the power on the MX-5’s B16P engine from 115 bhp to 150 bhp. Warmly received by the motoring press and public alike, the BBR MX-5 turbocharger kit swiftly gained a reputation for bulletproof reliability and over the next few years BBR sold more than 1200 examples of the turbo kit, without a single engine failure.

Ultimately, the BBR MX-5 turbo kit proved to be the most popular aftermarket turbo kit yet sold in Europe and arguably, the USA too. Fast forward twenty years and demand and interest in BBR enhanced Mazda MX-5’s is stronger than ever, so that’s why BBR has done it again…

Power to the People: BBR-Cosworth Supercharge Mazda MX-5 to 235HP

Owners of the latest generation MX-5 / Miata seeking more oomph from Mazda's best seller will be happy to know that BBR has joined forces with Cosworth Engineering to develop a supercharged conversion package for the 2.0-liter version. The BBR-Cosworth collaboration for the Mk3 2.0-litre MX-5 focuses around a fourth-generation Eaton MP62 supercharger mated to a Cosworth designed cast integral inlet manifold, which is said to be optimized for both performance and fuel economy - although we'd take the latter with a grain of salt.

In stock form, the MX-5's 2.0-liter naturally aspirated powerplant delivers 158-horsepower. After the implementation of the supercharger and Cosworth's inlet manifold, output is lifted to a dyno proven 235 bhp at 7130 rpm, with a healthy 190 lb.ft of torque available at 5260 rpm. That's an increase of 77 bhp and 51 lb.ft over the standard model.

The company said the fitted price for the BBR-Cosworth Mazda MX-5 Mk3 supercharger upgrade kit is set in Britain at £4,995 (approx. US$7,750). BBR added that it will also be supplying BBR-Cosworth kits for DIY fitting, complete with all options and full installation instructions, but the tuning house has not yet released pricing.

BBR–Cosworth Mazda MX-5 MK3 supercharger specification

• Cosworth Inlet manifold housing
• Eaton 4th generation MP62 Supercharger
• Intercooler (Air to water)
• High flow calibrated injectors
• High flow air box, with high flow air filter
• Competition high grade hoses and fixings throughout
• BBR Auxiliary Interceptor 2010 engine control unit (ECU) with 3-D mapping and MAP sensor
• BBR-Cosworth identification badges

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Mazda Logo Evolution through the Century - Plus 185 Historic Pictures

Mazda, the maker of cars such as the RX-7, RX-8 and MX-5/Miata, turned 90 this month. So what a better time to take a trip down memory lane and see how the Japanese company’s logo and cars evolved over the past century.

The first corporate logo dates back to 1936. It was registered as a trademark when Mazda began manufacturing its first three-wheeler. The name itself is a derivative from Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom, intelligence and harmony in early Asian cultures. It also derives from the anglicized version of the founder’s name, Jujiro Matsuda.

At the same time, Mazda introduced a brand symbol, too, inspired by the emblem of its hometown, Hiroshima. It was basically a stylized triple “M”, as in “Mazda motor manufacturer”, and the wings on both sides represented “agility, speed and the ability to soar to new heights” – always according to the automaker.

In 1959, when Mazda began making passenger cars, a new “M” logo was introduced and used for the first time on the R360 coupe. This way, Mazda tried to emphasize that it was the beginning of a new era in the company’s history.

Sixteen years later, in 1975, Mazda totally revamped its corporate identity and launched the logotype which, after three and a half decades, is still a base element of the firm's visual identity.

This was accompanied in 1992 by a new brand symbol. Mazda says that the composition expressed the “dimensions of wings, sun and a circle of light” – whatever that meant. More importantly, it provided the base for the current logo, which followed in June 1997 and, in my opinion, it’s the best one yet.

Building on the same “M” theme, it also incorporated a “V” shape, standing for “growth and improvement”, which was Mazda’s way of saying that it had entered a new era once again. In 2002, the concept was refined with the “Zoom-Zoom” tagline, as Mazda started to concentrate on a new generation of cars, delivering more driving pleasure than before.

In 2008, Mazda came up with a new global visual identity, integrating the unchanged logo into a rectangle, called “dynamic wing”, and placing the “Zoom-Zoom” tagline at an angle. This composition wants to express the “bold, distinctive nature of Mazda”.

While the logo and corporate identity had few iterations over the 90-year period, Mazda’s line-up was much diversified and saw plenty of change, highlighted in the list below. Also, check out our 185 gallery to see some of the firm's cars throughout its 90 year history.

By Csaba Daradics

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