How many car models can lay claim to having sold 900,000 units in its lifetime? Not a lot, that much we can tell you.

So when the Mazda MX-5 Miata reached the unfathomable number of 900,000 cars sold, it only seemed right to build a special edition model of the Miata to commemorate this historic milestone. That’s exactly what Mazda did.

Scheduled to debut that the Chicago Auto Show, the Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition is the Japanese automaker’s way of giving thanks to the 900,000 – and counting – owners of the MX-5, all of whom are responsible in allowing the Japanese sports car to reach such unprecedented sales heights.

The special edition Miata will only be limited to 750 units, which means that all the models will most likely be swept up faster than you can say “Zoom, Zoom”. But if you just happen to be one of the 750 early birds, you’re going to get a chance to catch a pretty special, limited run worm and on a bigger scale, be a key contributor to Mazda’s drive for 1 million MX-5 Miatas sold.

There are just far too many pro’s in this proposition so we suggest that you keep tabs on when Mazda will begin taking orders for the special edition MX-5 and burn the phonelines to get yourself a piece when it does.

Details after the jump

2011 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 167
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

The Mazda MX-5 Special Edition comes with a boatload of aesthetic upgrades a choice between two exterior paint finishes: Sparkling Black mica or Dolphin Gray Mica. On top of that, the model will also have a set of 17” bright-finish alloy wheels. Over at the interior, the limited edition model will have exclusive interior accents, including a gray door trim, heated leather seats with gray stitching, a steering wheel and parking brake wrapped in black leather with gray stitching, vents and instruments with chrome accents, and aluminum pedals for the six-speed manual transmission models.

Performance

The MX-5 Special Edition’s powertrain remains unchanged, which means that it will come with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 167 horsepower for models with manual transmission and 158 horsepower when mated to an automatic transmission.

Pricing

While Mazda hasn’t announced a date for when the special edition MX-5 will go on sale, the Japanese automaker has nonetheless released the price for both the manual and automatic transmission versions of the MX-5. For the manual, price starts at $30,925 whereas the automatic will carry a starting price of $31,525.

Competition

A German brand that’s diving into the MX-5’ segment and a Kia brand thinking of doing the same will be looking to slow down the MX-5 Miata’s momentum towards 1 million vehicles sold. Take your pick between the Mini Cooper S Convertible and Kia’s soon-to-be-announced small sports car as the Miata’s future competitor. Given the MX-5’s immense global popularity, we don’t think that these two new models will be able to slow the Miata’s roll anytime soon. But still, at least you have a couple more options to choose from in the event that you’re not in the market for the Mazda sports car.

While we don’t know what kind of powertrain the future Kia sports car is going to have, we do know that the new MINI Cooper S Convertible will be offered with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower under its hood. It’s a little more powerful than the MX-5 – which is good – and it’s got a nice set of aesthetic digs to be proud of, but at the end of the day, there’s a reason why the MX-5 is considered one of the most iconic cars in history.

Note: Photos of the 2011 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition have not yet been released.