The Mazda MX-5 has been lauded with praise ever since it debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. The plucky little roadster has since gone on to become one of the most successful two-seaters of all time. The design of the Miata hasn't changed much over the years, meaning that almost all models look strikingly similar. Mazda is working to remedy this by releasing a ton of special edition MX-5s, which you can see for yourself below. You decide if they're worth the extra money and hoopla.
The British-only MX-5 Kuro edition comes in both soft-top and hard-top forms, with the softie getting a 124hp 1.8-liter engine and the solid-top getting a 158hp 2.0-liter power plant. Updated exterior and interior features, including new rear bumpers, badges and heated leather seats with red stitching are the main attraction here. Only 200 soft-top Kuros and 400 hard-top Kuros will be available, with pricing set at $29,000 for the soft-top and $35,000 for the hard-top.
The aptly named MX-5 Special Edition debuted at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and features a retractable black hardtop, gunmetal rims, an updated suspension system and a bunch of interior tech goodies. Only 450 Special Edition MX-5s were made, with each one priced at $31,225.
The MX-5 Special Edition Spring 2012 (another creative name) debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and comes complete with chrome headlamp inserts, fog lamp bezels, 'Havana Brown' leather and an integrated navigation system, an MX-5 first.
If the MX-5 Venture is any indication, then the Brits must love special edition vehicles. The Venture features two different engine offerings, a 126hp 1.8-liter engine for the cabrio, and a more powerful 2.0-liter offering for the coupe. The soft-top is limited to 250 unites and has a price tag of $29,000, with the coupe limited to 550 units and selling for $34,000.
The MX-5 55 Le Mans is a special edition Miata built exclusively for the Swiss market. The 55 Le Mans was inspired by the Mazda 787B No. 55 racer that won the 1991 Le Mans. Special badging, a limited-slip differential, a Bilstein sports suspension, a front strut bar and 10-spoke alloy wheels all come standard.