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All-New 1999 Mazda Miata Takes Center Stage at Pittsburgh Auto Show

3 February 1998

All-New 1999 Mazda Miata Takes Center Stage at Pittsburgh Auto Show

 - Popular Roadster Sets Out to Capture Hearts of American Drivers... Again -

    PITTSBURGH, Feb. 3 -- The car that almost single-handedly
revived the two-seat open roadster market around the world arrived in
Pittsburgh today as Mazda executives unveiled the all-new 1999 Miata at the
1998 Pittsburgh Auto Show.  The new Miata, which features a more powerful
engine, dramatically restyled body, redesigned interior and improved handling,
goes on sale in Mazda dealerships early in 1998.
    "It may be the middle of winter," said Richard Beattie, president and CEO
of MNAO, "but with the introduction of our new Miata, things are heating up at
Mazda.  As good as the original Miata was, this new 1999 Miata is better in
every single way.  We fully expect it to remain the best-selling two-seat
roadster on the planet."
    The new 1999 Mazda Miata features a more powerful 140-horsepower 1.8-liter
DOHC four-cylinder engine, improved four-wheel double-wishbone suspension,
more aggressively styled body and a redesigned interior.  The body of the new
Miata is more rigid for improved handling, yet it weighs the same as its
predecessor.  The easy-to-use folding top is even easier to operate and now
uses a glass rear window with built-in defroster, a feature not found on
several convertibles costing much more.
    The new Mazda Miata may not be on sale yet, but the editors of Car and
Driver magazine already are hailing it as one of the "10 Best Cars" in the
publication's January 1998 issue.  This is nothing new for the Miata -- the
original car won several awards and accolades before it went on sale as well.
    Since its introduction in 1989, Mazda has sold more than 450,000 Miatas
worldwide, with more than half of that total coming in North America.  The
Miata is the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world.  In addition, the
Mazda Miata is a champion on the track, earning several SCCA class
championships.

SOURCE  Mazda Information Bureau