Special edition versions of the Mazda MX-5 Miata aren’t exactly a rare breed. In the sports coupe’s life span, we’ve seen one unique iteration after another, each more unique than the other. The current-generation MX-5 isn’t immune to this lavish treatment as Mazda has prepared SE versions like the Recaro Limited Edition, the Icon Special Edition, and the just-announced Arctic Edition. Each one of them had one thing in common: they were all MX-5 Miatas at heart.

The MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition follows in a long line of special edition Miatas. It’s got a special body color that matches the mood of the season it’s celebrating. It also has complementary trim accents and an interior that’s dressed to the nines. And let’s not forget about the cool name. “Arctic Edition” looks and sounds like a boss, which is probably why Mazda decided to use it again after first bestowing the name to, you guessed it, the MX-5 Miata 12 years ago.

The automaker has scheduled a February 2017 release for the special edition model, with only 400 units set to be made available. It’s not a big number by any means, but it suits the Arctic Edition well because all 400 units are likely to be scooped up faster than it takes Santa to make his own snow angel.

The only downside to all of this is that the Arctic Edition will be exclusively sold in the U.K. market, which means us folks here across the Atlantic are once again out of luck.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Mazda MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition.

What makes the Mazda MX-5 Arctic special

Let’s take a walk down memory lane first, shall we? Back in 2004, Mazda presented the first MX-5 Arctic Edition. It came in three different color schemes: Razor Blue Metallic, Titanium Grey, and Sunlight Silver. It also had a few exclusive appointments, including a color-matched blue soft top, blue leather seats, blue door trim, chrome scuff plates, side window garnish, and a black leather trimmed steering wheel, gearknob, and handbrake lever. To go with all these goodies, Mazda also offered a few accessories to the equation, guaranteeing nothing short of a unique look to the car.

It worked too, as the 2004 MX-5 Arctic Edition was a hit among U.K. customers. Mazda also had it as an exclusive back then and all 2,000 units were accounted for in no time. Fast forward to today and Mazda’s bringing back the popular special edition MX-5 with a lot of new and different features compared to the version that hit the scene 12 years ago.

For starters, it won’t have the same three-color option as the first one. Instead, Mazda’s offering the new Arctic Edition in just one color: Blue Reflex Metallic paint to go with contrasting bright silver design cues. The two colors play off very well next to each other, highlighting the traditional mood of the winter season.

In addition, Mazda also dressed up the new MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition with a silver windscreen surround, silver wing mirrors, and silver headrest hoops. That’s a lot of silver in one car, but again, this is no average car. Even the new set of 16-inch alloy wheels are finished in silver, adding another layer to the model’s aura of exclusivity.

Move to the interior and the blue and silver treatment continues with the heated dark blue leather seats, blue door inserts, and chrome detailing on the window mountings, matching very well with the silver cup holder rings and chrome scuff plates.

Mazda’s treatment of the new MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition is as special as it gets and the fact that it was able to differentiate this model from the old Arctic Edition speaks to the company’s understanding on how well-received the old version was too. I just wish it had done it sooner though, right?

And speaking of wishes, I wish the MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition will also be available in the U.S. Right now, it’s an exclusive U.K. release just like the old version was. But even then, U.K. customers won’t get as many versions as they once did since Mazda’s only building 400 units of the new MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition. The good news is that customers who do get a chance to get one have the option to avail the Arctic Edition in either 1.6i or 1.8i engines. That and the fact that they’re getting all 400 models in the first place means that we’re once again left out in the cold.

I love the Mazda MX-5 Miata Arctic Edition, but I do have a gripe against Mazda. Throw us a bone once in awhile, too, you know?