Two Limited-Production Miatas Blow Into Windy City

- Shinsen and Special Edition Mazda Miatas Debut at Chicago Auto Show -

CHICAGO, Feb. 12 -- Mazda North American Operations today unveiled two limited-production versions of its popular two-door roadster, the Mazda Miata, at the Chicago Auto Show. The Shinsen Version and Special Edition Miata pay tribute to the traditional MX-5 Miata but heat things up with extra-cool accoutrements. The fresh, new Shinsen Version costs $23,105 and the Special Edition Miata retails for $26,030. Only 1,500 units of each model are being produced and both will be available in dealerships in February.

The Shinsen Version, which derives its name from the Japanese term for "new and fresh," sports new interior treatments and a special Titanium Gray Metallic exterior. The Shinsen turns heads with a dramatic dark-blue cloth top and matching dark-blue cloth bucket seats. A two-tone color-keyed leather-wrapped shift knob, dark-blue door inserts, embroidered floor mats, a Convenience Package (tweeters, power door locks, cruise control, remote keyless entry) and aluminum interior trim pieces round out the "fresh" interior.

Sporting the same 1.8-liter DOHC powerplant as the Miata, the Shinsen Version puts 142 horses to the pavement via a five-speed manual transmission and sorts it out through a Tochigi-Fuji limited slip differential.

Equally exciting is the Special Edition Miata. Mazda started with the Miata LS and added exterior and interior touches to create a new Special Edition model. Its striking Strato Blue Mica exterior paint scheme, gray cloth top and gray leather-trimmed bucket seats turn this sporty roadster into a hot little number on the street. Custom-embroidered floor mats underscore the interior while uniquely styled 16-inch alloy wheels with wheel locks and a chrome fuel door draw looks from the outside.

A six-speed manual transmission, leather-wrapped hand brake, aluminum scuff plates, Bose(R) in-dash six-disc CD changer and aluminum pedals and footrest are standard equipment. Buyers will be presented with a Numbered Certificate of Authenticity, as well as a Special Edition Miata gift set that includes a backpack/cooler combo, Special Edition blanket, two brushed cotton baseball caps and game set. A variety of options -- from automatic transmissions to body kit packages -- are available for each model as well.

Like all Mazda models, the Special Edition and Shinsen Version Miatas come with a four-year roadside assistance program. With a call to a toll-free number, Miata owners can access roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout the United States and Canada. For all 2003 Mazda vehicles, the company will provide a free loaner car in the event a warrantable condition requires alternative transportation.

The Shinsen and Special Edition Miatas are covered by a comprehensive four-year/50,000-mile warranty that covers every part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. In addition, both vehicles are covered by a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.