The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been in the automotive industry for three decades now and the automaker decided to celebrate the occasion with the launch of the 30th Anniversary Edition of the MX-5 at the Chicago Auto Show. What makes it all the more special is that the original MX-5 also made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show back in 1989! The 30th Anniversary Edition will be limited to a production of just 3,000 copies.

Background

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the longest running lightweight roadsters in the market currently and has been adored by people all across the globe. After existing for 30 years and selling more than 1 million copies globally, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has entered into a league of its own. With its lightweight build and a manual transmission, this car is fun to drive on straight strips and can be thrown hard around the corners.

It is the dominant force in the roadster market and is one of the most affordable cars in the segment. As it should be, the entire focus of the car is on the enhancing the fun-quotient and making sure you grin from ear-to-ear every time you park yourself behind the steering wheel. The Mazda MX-5 is undoubtedly a driver's car and as the automaker describes it, the car has been built on the essence of the 'driver-and-car-as-one' philosophy. Well, Mazda has been doing a fantastic job as the MX-5 is a hoot-and-a-half to drive.

Exterior

Mazda has gone above and beyond to commemorate the achievements of the MX-5 with the 30th Anniversary Edition. The special edition offers a lot of features and luxuries from the top-of-the-line Miata Grand Touring and many performance bits from the MX-5 Club.To make the customers feel special, a 30th anniversary badge displaying the model’s serial number will be slapped on the car. It will come with both, soft-top as well as the RF retractable hardtop models. To complement the orange body shade, the brake callipers have also been painted in orange. The front brake callipers are from Brembo, while the rear are from Nissin.

Interior

On the inside, the Mazda MX-5 Anniversary Edition comes with Recaro seats fitted to keep you in place when you work hard on the corners. If, by some miracle, you decide to listen to the audio system instead of the sweet grunt from the engine, Mazda has got you covered. A new Bose sound system with nine speakers engulfs the little two-seater. Some markets will also receive Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other creature comforts include:

-* Automatic High-Beam Headlights

-* Automatic Air-Conditioning

-* In-Dash Navigation System

Drivetrain

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission. Having 'rear-wheel-drive' and 'manual gearbox' in the same sentence can make any enthusiast's day. The manual MX-5 is equipped with Bilstein dampers as well. If you are not a third-pedal lover, you can opt for the six-speed automatic that is on offer.

Engine

2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit

Power

181 horsepower

Torque

151 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed manual gearbox

Drive Layout

Rear-wheel-drive

0-60 mph

6.1 seconds

Top Speed

125 miles per hour

Curb Weight

2,400 pounds


Pricing

If you want the RF hard-top roof, add another $2,600 to the figure. The standard MX-5's top Grand Touring trim is priced at $30,780. For the 4,000-odd extra bucks, you are getting a lot of car. Not to mention, it is a limited-edition trim!

Conclusion

Like we mentioned earlier, only 3,000 units of the same will be produced, out of which 500 have been earmarked for the U.S. market. The Mazda MX-5 has always been a driver's car and the 30th Anniversary Edition makes it all the more special. While the orange shade may not be to everyone's liking, it adds a certain zing to the car, thus making it stand out in the horde of other Mazda MX-5s. With this ridiculously well-spec'd and priced limited edition MX-5 model available for the taking, can we see special editions from the MX-5's main rivals - the Fiat 124 Spider and the Nissan 370Z - as well? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2016 Mazda MX-5.