Mazda Releases '20th Anniversary' Special Edition Roadster in Japan

Tokyo, July 31, 2009; To commemorate 20 years of Mazda Roadster (known overseas as the Mazda MX-5) sales, Mazda Motor Corporation has released a special edition version of its lightweight, two-seat, open-top sports car for the Japanese market. The Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships nationwide.

Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the Mazda Roadster has attracted a wide range of customers since its launch in 1989, and is currently sold in approximately 60 countries. The Roadster was certified as the world's most produced two-seat, open-top sports cars by Guinness World Records when production reached 800,000 units. Total production of the Mazda Roadster now stands in excess of 860,000 units.

The Roadster 20th Anniversary is based on the Roadster RS soft-top model with a six-speed manual transmission, and the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) hard-top model with a six-speed automatic transmission. Special equipment includes unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats, exclusive '20th Anniversary' badges, and clear front fog lights.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (including sales tax) is 2,860,000 yen for the soft-top version and 3,110,000 yen for the RHT model.

Main features of the special edition Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary

Base models:
Mazda Roadster RS with manually-operated soft-top and six-speed manual transmission, and Mazda Roadster VS RHT with Mazda's groundbreaking power retractable roof system and six-speed automatic transmission.

Special equipment:
- RECARO bucket sport seats (Black Alcantara(R)(1) and red leather)
- Exclusive '20th Anniversary' badges (on each side fender)
- Clear front fog lights and bezels(2)
- 205/45R17 84W tires and 17-inch aluminum wheels(3)
- Front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type)(3)
- Fabric soft top with glass rear window (soft-top model only)
- Heated seats with five temperature settings(4)
- Soft padding (synthetic leather door armrests and center console lid)(4)

Body colors:
All 20th Anniversary models come in Crystal White Pearl Mica, used for the first time on the Mazda Roadster.

(1) Alcantara(R) is a registered trademark owned by Alcantara S.p.A.
(2) Fog lamp bezels are black on the soft-top model and silver on the RHT model.
(3) Special equipment on the RHT model only (standard equipment on the soft-top base model).
(4) Special equipment on the soft-top model only (standard equipment on the RHT base model).

About Mazda

Mazda Motor Corporation started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit www.mazda.com .