New 2015 Mazda2 Officially Breaks Cover

After catching a glimpse of the all-new Mazda2 earlier today, the Japanese carmaker went ahead and officially revealed its new supermini that keeps the Demio nametag for the domestic market. The new Mazda2 will begin to roll out in global markets (including North America) in the final quarter of the year.

Seen here in Japanese specification, the new generation Mazda2 is strongly influenced by the Hazumi concept exhibited at the Geneva show in March, displaying same edgy ‘Kodo’ design language as the latest Mazda3 compact and Mazda6 mid-size models.

The same holds true for the clean looking interior that can be had in different colors and trims, with highlights including a tablet-style touchscreen on top of the dash, controlled via a rotary dial located next to the handbrake lever, and a heads-up display option.

Mazda was pretty stingy with the details, but it did say that the new sub-compact hatch benefits from a full suite of lightweight and efficient SkyActiv technologies including engines, transmissions, body, and chassis.

Depending on the market, the new 2 will be offered with up to three engines at launch, including the SKYACTIV-G 1.3-liter and 100PS (99hp) 1.5-liter gasoline units, and the 105PS (104hp) SKYACTIV-D 1.5-liter diesel, matched to 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Expect the new Mazda2 to have similar dimensions to the Hazumi Concept that measured 4,070mm long, 1,730mm wide and 1,450mm tall.

Mazda said it will hand out more details on the new 2 later in the year.

Future Cars: Revitalizing Mazda’s Next-Gen 2016 MX-5 Roadster

Mazda’s long serving MX-5 Miata is what you would call a true, pure drivers car; an affordable rear-drive, front-engined roadster with a fun value dialed to max. It’s still one of the bestselling roadsters on the market today and retains a strong, loyal following.

Nevertheless, the Japanese carmaker and Alfa Romeo are co-developing a successor to the MX-5 that stays true to the original formula (the Italian manufacturer will get their own distinctive Spider version). So with that in mind, it was decided to digitally envisage how the next MX-5 could look.

Design:

First of all, I’ll make no secret that the design of the original MX-5 never quite appealed in my mind. Sure, it looked like a cute British roadster; yet it was too feminine, barbie-like to seriously consider for my driveway. Successive generations have improve the appeal somewhat, with more gender-neutral styling gracing the current two-seater.

This design study is heavily influenced by Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language, with the aim of making it more masculine whilst retaining those classic sports-car proportions.

So starting at the business end; the long, dynamic hood sweeps down into the bumper. Below this is Mazda’s new corporate grille flanked by headlights that pay homage to prior generation MX-5’s with their smooth, rounded edges. Further down, a heavily flanked lower bumper extension skirts around the sides, helping emphasize the car’s planted stance.

Sharp creases dominate the front fenders as they sweep backwards into the doors - mimicking the effect seen on the Mazda Takeri concept. While the first three generations of MX-5 have had rather upright windscreens, this proposal takes on more of an speedster approach with its heavily raked frontal glass.

One area where the MX-5 has disappointed in the past is in the hindquarters - drab is a word that comes to mind. Anything with a strong frontal presence should equally look great from the rear too; while not illustrated here, the taillights sit neatly into the crisp rear fenders, separated by an aggressive duck-tailed trunk lid.

Interior:

Mazda has been advancing well with its interiors in recent years. Compared with what they were pumping out in the late 1990’s, most of their lineup now boasts premium switchgear, materials and build quality.

However, there is always room for improvement - the MX5 needs to push the envelope further with striking design and sublime detailing. Think about what’s currently found in the Jaguar F-Type, Audi TT and BMW Z4 (but on a budget); such a cabin should make the driver feel special - not the opposite.

Don’t expect cabin real estate be vast; but rather incremental improvements to comfortably seat its occupants with improved hip and legroom. For those rain-doused fast get-aways, a quicker folding ragtop mechanism should help stop upper-body moisture and dampness issues.

What Could Power It:

Of course, a Rotary should - what else? However, back on earth, the next MX5 could use a new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter fours in ‘Skyactiv-G 2’ configuration. Say what? This is an extended development of current Skyactiv premise that brings Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) to the table. Along with improvements in cooling (which is a challenge with HCCI engines), this second-generation setup brings diesel-like efficiency to the petrol engine without having to utilize hybrid technology.

Platform & Handling:

This conceptual study rides on the same base that underpins the Alfa Romeo’s upcoming Spider, so you can bet on one hell of a driver's package. Power will still be fed to the rear wheels via six speed manual or six speed automatic transmissions.

Usually car manufacturers like to get a good balance between ride and handling; for the MX-5, this means additional wheelbase length to help with stability whilst maintaining acceptable ride quality. The Skyactiv philosophy will also target weight reduction in the aim of improving nimbleness for an more engaging drive.

While its Alfa Romeo platform-sibling should provide equal amounts of driving fun, direct competition is expected to arrive in Toyota/Scion GT-86 format. However, until those gas torches finally tackle the GT-86’s roof, Mazda has a relatively clear playing field (unless MX-5 pricing skyrockets).

In summary:

The design proposition may appear as a departure from MX5’s of yesteryear, yet I’d ague that change was needed to captivate a broader audience. What emerges once Mazda rips the covers off its next roadster could be an interesting surprise - that 2015 Chicago Auto Show can’t come soon enough.

Mazda Confirms 105PS Skyactiv-D 1.5-Liter Diesel Engine for Upcoming Mazda2

Mazda has announced that the next generation Mazda2 (known as the Demio in Japan) will be equipped with the Skyactiv-D 1.5, a new 1.5-liter clean diesel engine that uses the company’s next-generation Skyactiv technology.

The new engine follows the same principles as the Skyactiv-D 2.2 unit available in models such as the Mazda CX-5, more specifically achieving the ideal combustion despite a very low compression ratio - 14.8:1, the lowest compression ratio of any small displacement diesel engine. The four-cylinder mill produces 105PS (104hp) at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm.

Mazda says the engine boasts “outstanding dynamic performance” and linear acceleration all the way up to the rpm range. Although no fuel economy figures were disclosed, the Japanese automaker says the engine features “excellent environmental performance without resorting to expensive NOx aftertreatment systems.”

Mazda reckons the new Mazda2 with the Skyactiv-D 1.5 will “achieve among the highest level test mode fuel economy figures for a vehicle powered solely by combustion engine in registered vehicles excluding hybrid and micro-mini vehicles in Japan, as well as drastically improved practical fuel economy.”

That is also due to Mazda’s i-stop idling stop technology, i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system, and high-efficiency Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission or Skyactiv-MT manual transmission. Compared with the Skyactiv-D 2.2, additional technologies include expanded homogenous lean burn range, further reduction in mechanical resistance, and insulation technology that curbs the increase in cooling loss associated with a smaller engine size.

Thanks to all these technologies, Mazda says the new engine will meet Japan’s Post New Long-term regulations and Euro6 emission standards without having to resort to an expensive NOx aftertreatment system.

Mazda Confirms Unveiling of All-New MX-5 Roadster

 

Mazda made an official announcement about its upcoming all-new MX-5 roadster. We knew the car was supposed to be revealed this year, but we didn’t know when and where; now we do. The Japanese automaker will be showing it off for the very first time on 3-4 September, in Barcelona, Spain. Other similar venues will follow in Japan and the US. In regards to the upcoming event, that’s also meant to commemorate 25 years since the first Miata came out, Mazda’s European president and CEO said:

“The MX-5 is the product that best epitomizes Mazda’s convention-defying spirit and our love of driving. It has been grabbing people’s attention for 25 years, and with the new-generation model we’re aiming to share this passion with yet another generation of drivers.”

Looking at how much sporty flair Mazda’s been able to imbue its more mundane offerings with, the naturally sporty MX-5 will probably come out really desirable, if they stick to the same approach, and they probably will…

It’s definitely one of the most important model launches of the year.

Mazda RX-7 Revival Rumors Resurface Again; Could get a 250HP Rotary Engine

The strenuous back and forth on the resurrection tale of Mazda's much-missed Mazda RX-7 series continues with a fresh report from Autoweek magazine.

Swiftly bypassing the misleading title "Is this the new Mazda RX-7?" positioned above a photo under which there's a caption in a tiny font size that reads, "The next Mazda RX-7 could resemble this artist's rendering", the publications mentions that the coupe is still on the cards (and if you must know, the above photo is a rendering from Carscoops' Josh Byrnes).

It says that, while Mazda bosses are officially stating there are "no concrete" plans for a new RX-7, in private conversations executives have admitted that a new coupe with a new rotary engine is on its way and could go on sale by 2016.

The project is reportedly "planned as the MX-5's platform mate", with the roadster model believed to debut at next year's Chicago Auto Show.

And whereas new Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai recently told reporters that a rotary engine is not viable due to low sales numbers, the magazine says the automaker is developing a new generation, naturally-aspirated rotary unit with some 250hp for the next RX-7, which it says, should weigh around 2,800 pounds / 1,270kg, or about the same as the Scion FR-S (2,758 lbs).

Marchionne States that Roadster Produced with Mazda May Not Necessarily Wear Alfa's Badge

We told you about the rumors regarding the Fiat Group having second thoughts on placing an Alfa Romeo badge on the roadster that Fiat and Mazda are jointly developing, with Mazda’s version to be badged as the next-generation MX-5. Now, we have the official word on the matter from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne.

“The brand that we use will be chosen in due time. I don’t believe there was an irrevocable obligation to use an Alfa architecture,” Marchionne said at a press conference at the Geneva auto show. “Maybe we will, maybe we won’t. The important thing is that industrially the project is moving forward,” the executive added.

This latest statement seems to support an earlier declaration from September 2013, when Marchionne said there won’t be any Alfa Romeos built outside of Italy as long as he is boss.

Under the initial January 2013 announcement, the Alfa Romeo roadster was supposed to be built together with the next-gen MX-5 at Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima, Japan, with each car to sport different styling and engines. However, a report from Automotive News Europe said Fiat may consider giving the roadster to the Fiat brand or Abarth performance sub-brand.

Despite uncertainty regarding the brand Fiat will choose to put on the roadster, Marchionne said the Italian carmaker will go forward with the project and that it is currently in discussions with Mazda. “We remain committed to using that architecture with our powertrains,” the executive said.

Mazda Has the Secret to Make Petrol Engines Emit Less CO2 than it Takes to Charge EVs

While it may sound hard to believe, there’s actually some sense to be made in what was said by Mazda, when they announced that next-gen SKYACTIV engines will be so green that they will emit less CO2 than what is emitted in order to charge an electric vehicle.

As you’d imagine, the statement itself is so vague that it could be made to sound true, even if it wasn’t. However, we don’t need to do that, because it can be backed up with actual arguments, according to GreenCarReports.

They explain that if these new engines really do emit 30 percent less than what we’re measuring now, then in some cases, where the local power grid is run by burning coal, for instance, then yes, the statements holds true.

It all depends on how the power is produced, and it should be something to be considered if you want to go out and buy an EV. If all you’re doing is simply moving the source of the pollution to the power plant, that’s obviously not really what the dictionary would call a solution.

However, making such statements official is a bit too much, and Mazda should concentrate on actually reaching its efficiency and emissions goals, instead of telling us that they’re aiming for them years in advance. It plans to increase the current compression ratio of its SKYACTIV engines from 14:1 to 18:1 and try to make the unit run more like a diesel by incorporating elements of homogenous charge-compression ignition (HCCI).

These new SKYACTIV units will make their global debut around the year 2020.

Latest Forza Motorsport 5 Car Pack Leaves Us Scratching Our Head

As we scrolled down the roster of the latest car pack for Forza Motorsport 5, the Hot Wheels Car Pack, our expression became bemused over the strange mix of vehicles that we now have at our disposal. This is quite unlike any of the other sets of DLC Turn 10 Studios has offered.

Sure, there are the typical headliner cars – the Lamborghini Veneno and 2015 Audi S3 – that will appeal to the mainstream racing fan or auto enthusiast. But this latest car pack is so jammed full of nuggets of automotive weirdness that it's hard not to get excited.

The Hot Wheels pack has no shortage of racers, with a particular focus on historical offerings. A 1939 Auto Union Type D covers the pre-war era of Formula One, while a 1967 Lotus 49 and a 1952 Ferrari 375 represent post-war racing. For a modern twist, a Mazda USF2000 car slots in below the Indy Lights car from the Nürburgring booster pack.

From here, things get vintage and weird. There are a pair of delightfully offbeat coupes, in the form of a 1974 Toyota Celica GT and a 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT (here's hoping we get a vintage Holden Monaro in the future). Those two are joined by a 1956 Ford F-100, which your author already plans on converting into a dragster with vinyl flames down the side (because that's what all vintage pickups should be).

The new ride we're most excited about, though, is the 1983 GMC Vandura G-1500. Yes, that's the van from The A-Team, and we're sure it will prove to be an excellent canvas for the artists of FM5 to cover with airbrushed, fire-breathing unicorns and mystical, gray-haired wizards (or just poorly painted letters that read "Free Candy").

This latest car pack is the final monthly car pack for FM5, although Turn 10 is quick to point out that while the monthly updates are over, there will still be new batches of cars made available to gamers. As for the Hot Wheels pack, it's available now on Xbox Live for $9.99.

BBR Mazda MX-5 Turbo or TRD-Tuned Toyota GT86?

Both the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GT86 (Scion FR-S) suffer from having too little power, whichever one you go for. This is apparent whatever sporty car you climb out of before driving either of them, but as the EVO video posted below tries to illustrate, there’s no harm in trying to improve these cars to really make the best of their chassis.

First off, the Toyota can be had with a list of factory updates, in the form of a TRD kit. However, that does nothing to up the power and torque of the GT86, the car’s two main quibbles. It does address the grip problem brought about by the use of 17-inch Prius tires in the basic car by swapping them out for larger 18-inch forged rims with much better rubber.

Still not fast enough, but that’s where the MX-5, tuned by BBR, comes in with 70 hp more than the stock GT86, courtesy of a turbo kit. It’s a car that has been slightly neglected ever since the Toyobaru came out, but as the folloowing comparison illustrates, in this slightly-tuned guise, it’s actually a better choice (for the money).

CarBuyer Compares Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-5 and Dacia Duster, Guess Which Car Won

What would you choose between a Dacia Duster, Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Qashqai? CarBuyer asks this question in a video review of the three SUVs presented by Rebecca Jackson and Mat Watson.

Some people, including myself, may argue that comparing the budget Dacia Duster (which in the UK is not yet available in the facelifted version) with the more upmarket Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Qashqai is a little exaggerated, but the result of this review will no doubt surprise you.

The Dacia is deemed the best of the three SUVs off-road, but the worst on the road. Mat Watson describes it as archaic, but let’s not forget that it’s by far the cheapest of the three. As for the Nissan and the Mazda, they play a similar game, but there are quite a lot of things separating them. Scroll down to find out which car won the review.

2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition Comes to NY, Only 100 Cars Slated for U.S.

We kidded about Mazda bringing the next generation 2016 MX-5 to the New York Auto Show on April 1, and in some sense, it did, as the Japanese firm showed the car's completed transmission and suspension systems. The other big news for the MX-5 in New York is the presentation of a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the current model, with only 100 cars slated for sale in the States.

Available for order later this spring, the 2015 MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition's key gains a handful of mechanical and cosmetic upgrades, beginning with a fine-tune of the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated unit that gains new components such as pistons, connecting rods and flywheel.

Mazda claims that its engineers selected "the best balanced premium parts for inclusion in the engine" and as a result, the inline four now "revs even more freely, delivering an extraordinary response, precision acceleration and a deeply satisfying engine note".

Buyers can choose from an automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox, the latter also featuring Bilstein dampers.

It is offered exclusively in a Soul Red Metallic coat with contrasting black Brilliant Black A-pillars, windshield surround, outside mirrors and Power-Retractable Hard Top (PRHT), and rides on 17-inch dark gunmetal alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE05A 205/45R17-84W tires.

On the inside, you get standard Almond leather seats and door trim, a liquid metal-like satin chrome finish on louver rings, gauge cluster meter rings and inner door handles, special badges and Piano Black trimmings.

Mazda Reveals MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition and 2016 Model's Chassis in NY

Mazda has lifted the veils off the MX-5 25 Anniversary Edition at the New York Auto Show, a model that marks a quarter of a century since the debut of the world’s most popular roadster. With more than 940,000 units produced over three generations, the MX-5 (sold as the Miata in the U.S.) holds the Guinness World Record for best-selling two-seater sports car.

Based on the 2.0-liter 160PS (158PS) retractable hard top model with six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition is available exclusively with a Soul Red Metallic exterior accented with a Brilliant Black roof, A-pillars and side mirrors. The contrasting interior comes in off-white leather upholstery and door trim along with a hand-finished decorative panel in Piano Black. The anniversary model rides on 17-inch Dark Gunmetal alloy wheels and features Bilstein shock absorbers.

Mazda says it paid meticulous attention to the weight and balance of the engine’s moving parts, with components such as the pistons, connecting rods and flywheel being preferably lightweight with low inertia, and the original tolerance of these components being set extremely fine. Engineers chose the lightest, best balanced parts for inclusion in the engine, with the result being an engine that revs even more freely, “delivering extraordinary response and acceleration as well as a deeply satisfying engine note,” according to Mazda.

 

 

Alongside the special edition model, Mazda will also debut the newly developed Skyactiv-Chassis that will underpin the next-generation MX-5. On display together with the engine, it will be the first adaptation of Skyactiv Technology in a front mid-ship engine, rear-wheel drive layout. The fourth-generation MX-5 will feature a lower center of gravity, with the engine located closer to the center of the car, resulting in the most compact configuration yet for the MX-5. Mazda also says overall weight will be reduced by more than 100kg (220 lbs) compared to the current model, while at the same time rigidity and crash-worthiness will be enhanced.

Gasoline-Sniffing Spiders Strike Back, Mazda Recalls 42,000 Mazda6 Sedans in the U.S.

Remember Mazda’s 2011 recall caused by gasoline-sniffing spiders? Well, despite the automaker’s efforts to solve the problem, spiders have still found a way to get into the Mazda6’s fuel tank vent line.

According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Mazda North America Operations is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, through May 2, 2011, and equipped with 2.5L engine. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive amount of negative pressure.”

If that happens, the emission control system will have a hard time purging the vapors from the canister, with repeated purges causing a stress on the fuel tank that may result in a crack, “potentially leading to fuel leakage and an increased risk of fire.”

Mazda said it is not aware of any fires related to this condition. The recall includes 42,000 Mazda6 sedans with 2.5-liter engines from the 2010-2012 model years.

Following the 2011 recall, Mazda attempted to remedy the problem by adding a spring to the canister vent line to prevent spiders from crawling inside. However, even after the fix, there were nine cases in which tanks were damaged.

The solution engineers have come up with now is a change in the car’s software that would keep tanks from cracking even if a spider web blocks a vent. In other words, the score in the Mazda - spiders match is now 0-2.

Mazda Expects European Sales to Exceed Target in 2014

Mazda expects to beat its sales target for Europe this year as the car market in the region has been seeing a revival in recent months. Mazda’s European deliveries rose 24 percent in the first five months of 2014, more than triple the 6.9 percent full-year growth rate that the Japanese automaker plans in the region. For this year, Mazda is targeting sales of 170,000 vehicles in the region.

In 2013, Mazda’s deliveries rose 18 percent in Europe, in contrast to the market’s 1.8 percent decline, after the introduction of the all-new Mazda6 sedan in late 2012. This year the European car market is recovering from a six-year contraction that culminated in 2013 with the lowest sales in two decades.

Jeff Guyton, head of Mazda’s operations in the region, expects the European car market to grow modestly this year, by about 3 percent. “The industry has bottomed out and, hopefully from next year forward, we get a little bit more constant growth,” Guyton told Bloomberg.

The executive said he wants the Mazda6 to play a more important role in the company’s lineup, which in Europe is dominated by the CX-5 crossover and the Mazda3 compact car. Mazda is also looking into expanding its customer base to increase sales, with additional opportunities for the Mazda6 seen in company car fleets.

CNET Finds the Mazda 3 Great, Slightly Spoiled by Iffy Infotainment System

By now, you have probably seen many reviews of the new Mazda 3, a car that looks, drives and feels great. However, none of the reviews had as their main focus on the infotainment and satnav systems, so CNET Brian Cooley’s angle is one you should not neglect if you're interested in this kind of stuff.

As usual, the review is tech-centric, and it immediately finds the on-board tech inadequate. The nice-looking dash-mounted screen has a complicated menu, filled with confusing terminology and extra menus and settings you didn’t think were necessary for regular users, plus it doesn’t seamlessly show traffic information or connect to the internet without a phone-hosted (or another) exterior hotspot.

The video posted below goes into detail, explaining all of the discovered issues.

Moving on, other bad points are the apparent lack of power from the (2.5-liter) engine, and the long-legged character of the gearbox that makes it not ideally suited for city driving – the manual 2.0-liter I drove had that too, and it was quite leisurely with 120 hp; you’d have struggled to call it brisk…

Aside from the points mentioned above, the review finds the Mazda hatch a true contender in the class, one of the most appealing models currently on sale in its price bracket.

New Mazda Hazumi Aka the Next Mazda2 Concept in the Flesh

Official imagery of the new Mazda Hazumi concept, previewing the next Mazda2 sub-compact hatch, have spattered onto the web, just before the car makes its grand premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday.

The actual photos of the Hazumi portray the picture of a concept that is, if not near, fairly close to the production model, seasoned with sporty and exaggerated elements like the front and rear bumpers, minimalistic mirrors, center mounted exhausts and huge alloys, all for the sake of show.

The overall exterior design theme mirrors what we have seen from Mazda's most recent model like the "3" compact and "6" mid-size cars, while the interior has an overly futuristic feel and look that will not make it to the production car, set to follow later on.

We're short on technical details, but Mazda said that it will also debut a new SkyActiv-D 1.5-liter turbo diesel in Geneva, which will be offered on the next 2 hatch – at least in Europe.

All-New 2015 Mazda2 / Demio Hatch Photos Leaked? Looks Like it

The first images of the eagerly anticipated 2015 Mazda2 sub-compact, also known as the Demio in Japan, have emerged on the web, prior to the supermini's official reveal, which may take place in front of the public at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October.

From these pictures, it looks like Mazda stayed true to the well-received Hazumi Concept from the Geneva Salon earlier this year, keeping both the shape and most of the styling details of the study, minus futuristic elements, such as the aero kit, big wheels and door mirrors.

On the inside, Mazda toned down the styling a few notches compared to the concept, but it still looks fresh. The center console features a tablet-style touchscreen that is also controlled through a rotary button positioned next to the handbrake lever.

We know from previous statements that the new Mazda2 encompasses the brand's full suite of lightweight and efficient SkyActiv technologies, including a new and lighter platform, and at launch, two 1.5-liter SkyActive engines, a petrol and a diesel.

The 1.5-liter petrol unit is already in use on the Mazda3 where it produces 100PS (99hp), while the new 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D diesel delivers 105PS (104hp) at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, and is paired to a six-speed automatic, emitting under 90 grams of CO2.

We'll update this story as soon as we find out more.

Modified Mazda MX-5 Electrocutes Tesla Model S in Drag Race

You know something is up with this dark green Mazda Miata / MX-5 by taking a single look at its massive rear tires. What’s even more frightening about it is the ease with which it can initiate a burnout, in spite of the tires’ width and soft drag racing compound. However, it can still put its power down and scare a Tesla Model S in a quarter mile drag sprint.

The battery-powered Mazda is known as being able to run in the low 9s consistently, or a full three and a half seconds faster than the Model S.

Tesla’s sedan is still pretty quick off the line, as you’ll see in the video posted below, and it would have probably nudged ahead for the first few yards had it been put up against a conventional methanol-burning dragster of comparable power to that of the electric Miata.

UK Gets 750 out of 1,000 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Limited Editions

Whereas U.S. consumers were scrambling to secure one out of 100 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary editions, in the UK, the Japanese firm will offer 750 out of a global total of 1,000 individually numbered examples units, beginning from August 1, with pricing to be announced soon.

The UK-bound 25th Anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 gets the same upgrades as the to the U.S.-specification car plus a unique 6.1-inch touch screen Mazda Navigation System exclusively engineered for the Japanese brand by Alpine. The system features 46 European country maps, 29 different languages, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, an integrated CD, radio and DVD player with a 50:50 split screen.

Based on the retractable hardtop model with the 2.0-liter engine, the limited edition comes with an assortment of additional exterior and interior features that are otherwise unavailable on other MX-5s, and most importantly, new engine components such as pistons, connecting rods and flywheel.

The only color available is the unique Soul Red Metallic paint finish, complemented by Brilliant Black door mirrors, A pillars and power-operated hardtop, 17-inch Dark Gunmetal alloy wheels, a rear diffuser and chrome exhaust trim.

Inside, the cabin is dressed in Light Stone leather trimmed upholstery with contrasting red stitching, hand-painted Dark Red dashboard decoration panel, Brilliant Black roll-over bar covers, alloy pedal set and 25th Anniversary stainless steel scuff plates.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition Sold Out in 10 Minutes in the U.S.

At the New York Auto Show last month, Mazda launched the MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition and announced that only 100 units would be available in the States. Those were obviously not enough for the big fan base that the little roadster has in the country, as the limited run was sold out in just 10 minutes.

“It is no secret the MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition is a specially-crafted ‘Thank you’ to every MX-5 fan – former, current and hopefully future,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).

“The enthusiasm surrounding the MX-5 since its debut in 1989 has been nothing short of phenomenal, and we sincerely appreciate every single person that has experienced the absolute joy of driving in an MX-5 – whether behind the wheel or as a passenger. Since day one, this vehicle has been a true driver’s car and we hope to continue to build upon its dynamic legacy for generations to come,” he added.

250 registrants accessed the 25th anniversary pre-order microsite, only the first 100 of which were given the opportunity to pre-order an anniversary model. The MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition will arrive in dealerships beginning late summer, as will the rest of the 2015 model-year lineup.

Pricing for the limited edition model starts at $32,205 (excluding a $795 destination charge) for vehicles equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Automatic models start at $32,655. All anniversary models are equipped with a Power-Retractable Hard Top and owners will each receive a custom-crafted Tourneau watch and display winder box with MX-5 and 25th Anniversary logos.