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Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4 in Verde Mantis in Pictures and on Video at the Ascari Track

Some of us are quite pleased that Lamborghini has brought back some of the bolder exterior colors of the 1970s (but less thrilled about the green interior) to its new Huracán LP610-4, like the "Verde Mantis" that translates to "Green (Praying) Mantis" seen on this example that was photographed in Marbella, Spain.

If you're wondering how the Huracán ended up in southern Spain, the guys over at Pistonheads have the answer, as the same car was featured in their test drive that included a few laps around the nearby Ascari racetrack (about an hour's drive from Marbella). Evidently, Lamborghini hosted the press event in the region.

The new Huracán that replaces the 10-year old Gallardo will try to steal the thunder from supercars like the McLaren 650S (see Chris Harris' Ascari track drive here) and Ferrari 458. Behind the passenger compartment, you'll find a naturally aspirated 602hp (610PS) 5.2-liter V10 engine driving all four wheels through a newly designed seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Lamborghini Ad Personam Debuts Patriotic Aventador Nazionale in Beijing

Alongside the Asian debut of the all-new Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 at the Beijing Auto Show, Lamborghini is also showcasing a special Aventador model built by its Ad Personam customizing program. Offered as a coupé, the Lamborghini Aventador Nazionale features dedicated color and trim composed by light exterior colors in combination with the Italian flag and a particular Ad Personam trim in the interior.

The car on show in Beijing features the light and glittered exterior color Bianco Opalis, adorned with a painted Italian flag livery, running as a stripe from the front bonnet over the roof and parts of the engine bonnet to the rear wing. Other standard features are the forged Titanium matt rims Dione in 20-/21-inch with red brake calipers, the transparent engine bonnet and full carbon fiber parts.

On the inside, the Italian flag theme is continued by a leather stripe on the central part of the headliner and the rear bench. The cabin combines the two contrasting colors Nero Ade and Blu Cepheus, while the seats feature Q-citura stitching and a small Italian flag embroidered on their upper part. An embroidered Ad Personam logo on the upper door panel insert, the branding package and extended stitching on the steering wheel underline the exclusive character of the interior.

The Aventador Nazionale is also available in the special Blu Pavo exterior paint with Nero Ade and Bianco Polar interior. The engine remains the same 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 with 700PS (690hp), capable of catapulting the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds and to a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph)

New Lamborghini Huracán Review Finds it Slightly More Civilized than Gallardo

Reviews of Lamborghini’s latest baby, the Huracán LP610-4, have started to pour in, with the latest one coming from Auto Express magazine. Like the previous first drive test, this one was filmed during the press event hosted by Lamborghini at the Ascari circuit in Spain.

Obviously, the big question is how the Huracán feels to drive compared to its predecessor, the Gallardo. Although the new model is more powerful and faster, the reviewer found that it’s harder to get the car’s rear end to slide. While the four-wheel-drive setup carries a part of the blame, we must remember that the Gallardo was also AWD too - minus RWD specials like the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni.

However, the Huracán is described as fun to drive, despite the car’s complex electronic systems that intervene quite often to correct the driver’s mistakes.The new entry-level Lamborghini is described by the reviewer as a fusion between modern electronics and old-school theatrics.

To me, that’s another way of saying it is a tamed beast. The market will decide whether that is a good thing or not for a Lamborghini. Point your mouse down to watch the review.

Lamborghini Teases Huracán Super Trofeo Race Car

While the all-new Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 has successfully replaced the Gallardo as the brand’s entry-level sports car, the Italian company still has to replace the Gallardo on the racetrack.

That mission belongs to the new Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo, which had its first shakedown on Tuesday on the “Piero Taruffi” Vallelunga circuit in Italy. Unfortunately, Lamborghini did not release photos with the car except one teaser that shows the front end of the racer wearing camouflage.

We can also see a big air intake in the lower part of the bumper and…that’s about it. The car is due to start racing next year in all three Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series' (Europe, Asia and North America). Next season’s Series will feature both the Gallardo and the Huracán which will share the grid but will race in different classes.

For its first track outing, the new Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo was driven by Lamborghini chief test driver Giorgio Sanna along with the two official Lamborghini Squadra Corse test drivers Adrian Zaugg and Fabio Babini.

“The first shakedown is always a very special moment. I’ve followed the development phase step by step in Sant’Agata Bolognese, and we are all enthusiastic about this very important moment. We have full confidence in both Zaugg and Babini, as well as in the young drivers who will contribute to refining the new car. The new Huracán Super Trofeo will ensure Lamborghini a key role in International motor sport,” said Giorgio Sanna.

Lamborghini Donates Huracán LP 610-4 Polizia to the Italian State Police

Remember the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Polizia that the Italian sports car manufacturer donated to the Italian police? Well, since the Gallardo has recently been replaced with a new model, the Huracán LP 610-4, Lamborghini thought to keep the Italian State Police updated with the latest hardware and built a police version of its newest sports car.

The new police car will replace the Gallardos used by the Italian police force since 2004 and 2008.

The special vehicle was handed over by Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, to the head of the Italian State Police, Prefect Alessandro Pansa, in a ceremony in Rome at the “Museo delle Auto Storiche della Polizia di Stato” (Museum of Historic Vehicles of the Italian State Police).

The Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Polizia will be the pride and joy of Italian police officers and will begin patrolling the country’s roads towards the end of the year to help prevent accidents and crime.

The lucky police officers who will get to call the Huracán their office will no doubt appreciate the increased power of the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine compared to the Gallardo. In the Huracán LP 610-4, the powerplant produces 610PS (602hp) – 50PS (50hp) more than in the Gallardo.

In theory, the breathtaking acceleration of the car (0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds) and its 202 mph (325 km/h) top speed should discourage most attempts to run away from the police.

Lamborghini Drops New Photo Gallery of the Huracán

If you recognize the setting in these new official Lamborghini Huracán photos that’s because there were taken during the test drive event at the Ascari Circuit in Spain and on the mountain roads around Marbella.

The event lasted two weeks, with media and dealers from all over the world invited to get acquainted with Lamborghini’s newest and most important model, the Huracán LP 610-4. There aren’t new things to say about the Gallardo’s successor that haven't been mentioned before, so I’ll only remind you the technical specs of the Huracán before you head to photo gallery.

The car is powered by a mid-mounted 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 602hp (610PS) at 8,250 rpm and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine is linked to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission “Lamborghini Doppia Frizione” (LDF) and sends power to all four wheels via a fully electronically controlled four-wheel drive system.

The Huracán sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds and to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds. Top speed is over 325 km/h (202 mph).

Lamborghini Makes its Huracan LP610-4 Official in Geneva

With its hybrid chassis made from aluminum and carbon fiber coated in an outer skin also made of the malleable metal, the Lamborghini Huracan is definitely a supercar of this age. Some have said that one of these now has to be an actual hybrid-electric to really earn that distinction, but with 610 EU6-compliant horses, sent to all four wheels, it doesn’t need any extra boost anyway.

The manufacturer from Sant'Agata Bolognese quotes the Huracan as being able to return 12.5 l/100km (18.8 mpg US / 22.6 mpg UK), which doesn’t unreasonable at all – you'll likely never get near it if you actually want to experience the car, but as a window sticker, it’s pretty good.

Now the we wait for the scene’s early first-hand impressions, which I’m sure will pop up on YouTube way sooner than the car’s actual showroom arrival term – the efficiency numbers will be the least of their concerns, if it’s as good a car as it ought to be with a predecessor whose success story was so resounding.

Officially revealed to members of the press during the opening day of the Geneva motor show, the Huracan was probably one of the most hunted premieres of the entire venue, and the Giallo Midas car riding on black wheels you see in the gallery below certainly didn’t disappoint.

EVO Thinks the Porsche Cayman GTS Has the Best Exhaust Sound in the World

We have seen enough reviews of the Porsche Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS, so EVO magazine thought about spicing up its review of the Cayman GTS with a reference to its exhaust note.

Henry Catchpole believes the Cayman GTS has the best sounding exhaust note that £55,397 can buy. The 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, which delivers 335hp (340PS) in the Porsche Cayman GTS, gets a sports exhaust that makes it sound better than lesser Caymans and better than its rivals – according to the Brits.

Of course, the Cayman GTS is more than its exhaust note, but when one buys a sports car, the last thing he or she wants is to have a restrained sound. In this respect, the Cayman GTS certainly doesn’t disappoint, as you can see (and hear) in the video posted below.

2015 Volkswagen Passat for Europe

VW's best way of describing the new 2015 Passat for Europe and other places around the world is a "premium class car without premium costs". In other words, the Germans want to extend their reach over to more premium offerings like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and even sister company Audi's A4, all while continuing to challenge mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 508.

Unveiled earlier today at the VW Design Center in Potsdam, Germany, the eighth generation Passat, codenamed B8, is a clean sheet design that differs from the American Passat that will continue on its own path unchanged.

"The new Passat gives the right answers to the major automotive trends of its time," commented VW Group chief Martin Winterkorn. "For me this Passat is a premium class car without premium costs. This fits perfectly to Europe's most successful business car – lining up with 20 percent better fuel economy, up to 85kg [188 lbs] less weight and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines – there is even a plug-in hybrid available."

Most of those weight savings can be attributed to the new MQB flexible platform architecture shared with the latest Golf. Compared to the outgoing B7 that is based on the previous B6, the new Passat B8 in sedan trim is 2mm shorter at 4,767mm long and sits 14mm lower, but has an 80mm longer wheelbase at 2,791mm, and is also 12mm wider at 1,832mm.

VW makes promises of improved space for both passengers and their luggage, with the sedan's cargo space boosted by 21-liters to 586-liters, and the station wagon model's by 47-liters to 650-liters or up to 1,780-liters with the rear seats folded.

The styling of the new Passat both inside and out is on the elegant (albeit unadventurous) side with more premium details compared to the outgoing model – you could say that VW tried to bring a touch of Phaethon to the mid-size segment with the B8.

This is even more evident on the technology front with the Passat gaining a multitude of new features highlighted by the available fully configurable 12.3-inch TFT display (buyers of base models will have to do with a 6.5-inch color display in the center console) marketed as the Active Info Display.

Other notable features include the extendible head-up display, an app-based Rear Seat Entertainment for tablet computers, Front Assist plus City Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, and what VW says are three world firsts for a vehicle in this class: Emergency Assist (vehicle stops in emergency), Trailer Assist (assisted maneuvering with a trailer) and Traffic Jam Assist.

Overall, European buyers will have a choice of 10 direct injection turbocharged petrol and diesel engines covering a power range from 120PS to 280PS (118hp to 276hp), all of which are fitted with stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode, and meet Euro 6 emission standards.

Among these powerplants is a new 1.4 TSI Plug-in Hybrid with a combined system output of 211PS (208hp) that has an all-electric range of 50 km (31 miles). There's also the 240PS (237hp) 2.0-liter TDI diesel that comes exclusively with a DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive offering a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h (239mph) with a combined fuel economy of 5.3l/100km (44.1mpg US or 53 mpg UK).

VW said that advance sales for the new Passat in Germany begin next week, with prices starting from €25,875 for the saloon and €25,950 for the estate. The new Passat will enjoy its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.

How Will You Have Your 2015 VW Passat? German Configurator Goes Live

The line between luxury cars and regular cars is not a wall any more. Design (appearance), technologies, bits of shiny trim and high quality materials are what superficially define the genre, yet despite these elements’ ever-increasing prevalence throughout the different classes of cars, the choice is being made much harder, not easier.

In the same vein of thinking, it’s very hard to ignore the (all-new) VW Passat if you’re in the market for anything from a repmobile to something you could use as a minicab, family hauler, for a luxury chauffeur service and even as a sports sedan.

Don’t believe us? Just look at all the choice offered by the (German) configurator for the all-new Passat. With it, you can create many wildly different cars whose roles you could not interchange.

For instance, a company sales rep would not complain about being given a Trendline model, with hubcaps, no leather and a 150 PS diesel coupled to a manual gearbox. It would still be comfortable and very spacious – perfect for carrying the rep and as many boxes of samples he’d need. The same car could be used as a taxi, though it would not fare well as a limo – that’s where the much posher Highline comes in and steals some of the (ageing) Audi A4’s luster.

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.

All-New 2015 VW Passat: First Photos and Live Video from Presentation

Ladies and gents, this is Europe's eighth-generation Volkswagen Passat and it was unveiled today during a special press meeting in Berlin, prior to the mid-size model's world premiere at the Paris Motor Show.

We've said it before, but it doesn't hurt to say it one more time; the new B8 is for Europe and other regions around the globe, excluding North America that has its own (mediocre-flavored…) Passat.

Unlike the current Passat B7 that was essentially a revised version of the previous B6, the Euro Passat B8 is a completely new car built on the Volkswagen Group's modular MQB platform, sporting a new range of engines and fresh technologies like the fully-digital instrument cluster.

VW has yet to grace us with an official release, but Autobild magazine got a hold of it and learned that the new 2015 Passat is up to 85kg or 188 pounds lighter and up to 20 percent more fuel efficient than the B7. It has about the same overall length, but the wheelbase has grown to 2.79m or about 109.8 inches, while the sedan model benefits from a boot capacity increase of 21 liters to 586 liters, and the estate, of 47 liters to an opulent 650 liters.

In Europe, the Passat will have up to ten direct-injection turbocharged engines ranging in output from 120PS to 280PS (118hp to 276hp), including a 240PS (237hp) 2.0-liter TDI diesel and a 211PS (208hp) plug-in hybrid variant combining a 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit and an electric motor.

We'll have more on the latest Passat soon, so stay tuned.

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.

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.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition Priced from $32,205*, Only 100 will be Made

The pre-order program for the 2015 MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show last month will commence on May 20, with Mazda to open a new microsite on its U.S. page for those interested in placing their name to purchase one of the 100 special edition roadsters.

Prices for the anniversary model that is available exclusively with the retractable hardtop start at $32,205 MSRP, not including a $795 (*) destination and handling charge.

According to a Mazda statement: "The pre-order program will run through 11:25 AM PDT, May 31, 2014, or when 250 customers have registered, whichever comes first. All 100 MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition buyers will go through an exclusive pre-order process for their vehicle. Registered customers will be contacted directly by MNAO to confirm purchase intent. Upon verification, the customer's information will be forwarded to the dealership of their choosing to finalize the transaction."

If you're interested, two things you need to keep in mind is that Mazda is preparing an all-new generation MX-5 for next year, and that, at this price point, your options widen considerably and include cars like the 332hp V6 Nissan 370Z ($29,990 MSRP for the base model and $33,020 for the Sport Package edition).

The 25th Anniversary Edition of the MX-5 comes in a deep Soul Red Metallic exterior coating with gloss black details, and gets 17-inch gunmetal alloys shod in Bridgestone Potenza RE05A 205/45R17-84W tires, Almond-color leather seats and other bespoke interior trim accents and finishes. Under the hood, Mazda says it refined the 2.0-liter unit with "hand-selected pistons, connecting rods and flywheel".

Besides the styling and mechanical upgrades, all buyers of the special edition will receive a custom-crafted Tourneau watch and display winder box.

Mazda also released pricing for the rest of the 2015 MX-5 range with the soft-top version starting at $23,970 (plus handling) and the Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) model from $28,665 (plus handling).

Mazda to Celebrate 25 Years of MX-5 Miata with a Historic Display at NY Show

It may have been more appropriate to celebrate the MX-5 Miata's 25th anniversary at the Chicago Auto Show this year, since the original model did debut in The Windy City on February 9, 1989, but Mazda chose the more popular New York International Auto Show to host what it calls, "the biggest birthday party yet for the storied two-seat roadster".

This party will see Mazda placing on display 15 MX-5 vehicles, ranging from motor show concepts to racers and production models.

The Japanese firm did not reveal any details about the cars it will bring to the Big Apple, but if you'd like to speculate on which MX-5s it should show, go ahead and tell us in the comments after you take a look at the gallery we've assembled below.

Speaking about the NY happening, Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) commented:

“MX-5 Miata is the quintessential Mazda. And after 25 years, every vehicle in the lineup continues to feature some characteristic of MX-5: a fluid shifter, lightness on its feet, quickness around a corner, a fun-to-drive DNA. With all the whiz-bang technology and comfort amenities increasingly added to modern vehicles, MX-5’s direct connection between car and driver still remains the standard feature that puts smiles on drivers’ faces.”

The word on the street is that Mazda may show the next MX-5's platform in NY, with the actual car to debut at next year's Chicago Auto Show.