Mazda’s heading back to where it all began.
Over the past thirty years, Mazda’s reputation has more or less hinged around one car: the MX-5 Miata Roadster. Since it first debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, the company has sold more than a million examples across four generations. We’re a few years into the “ND” generation now, and Mazda gave the MX-5 Miata a power bump for 2019. Now though, it’s bringing along a special edition to the Chicago Auto Show. While it won’t be at Detroit next week, it makes sense why Mazda would wait. This Miata is heading back to where it all began.
Not that you can see much of it in the image above, mind you. You can make out the general shape of the MX-5 Miata RF, but that’s about it. What’s particularly interesting here is that it does not look like this special edition will come in Mazda’s signature color. Instead of the Soul Red Metallic we’re used to, it looks like it may be more of a classic red. Some might even consider it orange, although I think that’s mainly a result of the blur effect.
The MX-5 Miata: Immune to Radical Change Since 1989
While the Mazda MX-5 Miata has become a more modern machine through the years, the fundamental formula really hasn’t changed much. It’s still small, still packs two seats, and it’s still rear-wheel drive. Mazda has even stuck to using a naturally-aspirated engine. They’ve eschewed turbocharging — save the Mazdaspeed MX-5 built between 2004 and 2005 — unlike most of their competitors.
We’re jumping a bit ahead of Detroit here, but the 2019 Chicago Auto Show is coming up quickly as well. Press days are February 7 and 8. Following that, the show will be open to the public from February 9 through the 18th. As with Detroit, we’ll also be at the Chicago Auto Show. Stay tuned for more news coming up in February!
