The latest Mazda MX-5 limited edition has been announced: the Z-Sport is capped to 300 cars, each costing £25,595, with sales beginning just in time for the new ’18-plate’ registration on 1 March 2018.
Why is it special? Because this is the first chance Mk4 MX-5 fans have had to buy the new soft-top roadster with a contrast-colour convertible roof. The Machine Grey metallic paint is offset by a cherry red fabric roof, with black 17-inch BBS alloys added in for good measure.
Inside, there are free sand-coloured leather seats, and a set of Z-Sport floor mats and door kickplates. Rather neatly, Mazda’s sticking an individually-numbered Z-Sport plaque onto the dash of every car.
All come with the higher-power 2.0-litre 160hp engine also used by the MX-5 Sport Nav the car’s derived from. This means they also all have a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers and a strut brace. Plus, of course, standard sat nav.
Jeremy Thomson, MD of Mazda Motors UK said: “The MX-5’s new cherry coloured roof was shown for the first time in public at the recent Tokyo Motor Show where it received a very positive reception.
“I’m delighted that we can bring it to UK MX-5 buyers as part of the exciting Z-Sport limited edition model.”
And if the Z-Sport name is familiar, you’re clearly a hardcore MX-5 fan: it was first used in 2007, on the Mk3 MX-5. This was capped to 400 cars, each in Radiant Ebony Mica paint, with stone leather seats and 17-inch BBS alloys. This second-generation car follows the template closely, but is even more exclusive than 07 car.
“We’ve had a long tradition of producing distinctive limited edition MX-5s that allow customers to drive a sports car with stand-out looks and enhanced equipment,” added Thomson. “The new Z-Sport is one of the best yet.”