2024 is a big deal and big year for the Mazda MX-5. That’s because the popular (and lovable) little roadster celebrates its 35th anniversary. To commemorate that milestone, Mazda unveiled the 35th Anniversary Edition during the recent Fan Festa 2024.
Want even better news? A source told us that this special edition MX-5 is coming soon to the Philippines. Roadster fans, prepare thy wallets.
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That said, we shouldn’t be too surprised about it. Mazda Philippines has a tradition of offering these landmark anniversary models in the country and we’re all here for it. The last one offered here was the 30th Anniversary Edition in a very distinct shade of Racing Orange. Only 3,000 were built worldwide with extremely limited quantities coming to our shores.
So, what has Mazda done for the 35th Anniversary model? This time around, it harks back to the classic roadsters from decades gone by. The exterior is draped in Artisan Red that’s then contrasted by a tan top for the soft-top model. The hardtop RF, on the other hand, doesn’t get the same treatment.
If Artisan Red looks familiar, that’s because it’s been applied to other Mazda models before. Some might know it as the signature color for its the company’s luxury crossovers, the CX-60 and CX-90. To further give the 35th Anniversary model more distinction over the standard MX-5’s, there’s a serial plaque placed just ahead of the rear wheel arches.
Inside, the Artisan Red on tan combination continues. The top of the door panel matches the exterior color, while most of the interior is finished in, well, tan. The dash stays grey, but chrome bezels on the air-conditioning vents are a retro touch. To cap it all off, the 35th Anniversary seal is embossed on the headrests.
Unlike the 30th Anniversary MX-5, the 35th Anniversary Edition will not be made in limited numbers. Instead, Mazda is taking the novel approach of building them for a set time period. Granted, it won’t be the rarest of special edition MX-5s, but the serial plaque on the car’s body will keep things interesting.
So far, Mazda hasn’t mentioned any tweaks under the chassis and the hood for this MX-5. Given that the last one had upgraded brakes and suspension, we’re keeping our fingers crossed this one gets it too. We’re not expecting any more power under the hood, though. Its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine received a big power bump back in 2018, upping the power from 158hp to 181hp.
