The Miata—make that the MX-5 Miata as it is officially called—turns 25 this year, and while the big birthday celebration is yet to come, Mazda’s Geneva auto show stand provided a low-key reminder of the upcoming anniversary with a trio of cars loosely representing the roadster’s three generations.
Introduced as a 1990 model at the 1989 Chicago auto show, the Miata’s first major makeover came along in 1998, with a more extensive redesign in 2005, and a power folding hardtop adding an extra layer of civilization in 2006.
Rounded up by Mazda of Switzerland, the Geneva threesome covered the major generational changes, although like many privately owned Miatas they’d had some enhancements. For example, the 1989 model, a handsome British Racing Green example with saddle-tan leather interior, included a Nardi steering wheel (no airbag), a wind blocker, aftermarket wheels, and a chromed luggage rack.
The 1998 Miata was largely original, but the third-generation representative, a 2009 model, was equipped with a racing roll cage, race seats, five-point competition seatbelts, and special graphics. It was one of 15 Miatas prepped for a 4-hour endurance race involving journalists and auto dealers at the Adria track near Venice, Italy, and was later raced on ice.
Widely regarded as the world’s best-loved sports car, nearly one million Miatas have been sold worldwide. About 50 percent of them have gone to U.S. buyers, and of those 80 percent are still registered, according to Mazda.
--------------------
· Feature: 2013 10Best Cars
· Short Take Road Test: 2007 Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop Grand Touring
· Road Test: 1999 Mazda Miata MX-5
--------------------
The Miata’s official birthday party is scheduled for this April’s New York auto show. The next-generation version is expected to break cover toward the end of this year, with official drives likely to begin in early 2015. Reported by Car and Driver 4 hours ago.
Introduced as a 1990 model at the 1989 Chicago auto show, the Miata’s first major makeover came along in 1998, with a more extensive redesign in 2005, and a power folding hardtop adding an extra layer of civilization in 2006.
Rounded up by Mazda of Switzerland, the Geneva threesome covered the major generational changes, although like many privately owned Miatas they’d had some enhancements. For example, the 1989 model, a handsome British Racing Green example with saddle-tan leather interior, included a Nardi steering wheel (no airbag), a wind blocker, aftermarket wheels, and a chromed luggage rack.
The 1998 Miata was largely original, but the third-generation representative, a 2009 model, was equipped with a racing roll cage, race seats, five-point competition seatbelts, and special graphics. It was one of 15 Miatas prepped for a 4-hour endurance race involving journalists and auto dealers at the Adria track near Venice, Italy, and was later raced on ice.
Widely regarded as the world’s best-loved sports car, nearly one million Miatas have been sold worldwide. About 50 percent of them have gone to U.S. buyers, and of those 80 percent are still registered, according to Mazda.
--------------------
· Feature: 2013 10Best Cars
· Short Take Road Test: 2007 Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop Grand Touring
· Road Test: 1999 Mazda Miata MX-5
--------------------
The Miata’s official birthday party is scheduled for this April’s New York auto show. The next-generation version is expected to break cover toward the end of this year, with official drives likely to begin in early 2015. Reported by Car and Driver 4 hours ago.