25th anniversary MX-5 on sale in Oz

Mazda's 25th anniversary edition of the MX-5 – which was first seen at the New York motor show in April – will officially go on sale in Australia today.

Priced from $48,380 (plus on-road costs), just 40 of the 1000 limited edition 25th Anniversary Mazda MX-5s are allocated to the Aussie market, 13 of which have already been reserved for customers.

Mazda said the special edition model sold-out "in minutes" in Japan and the USA and expects similar interest locally. Australian allocation consists of 24 manual and 16 automatic versions, all of which are based on the current model.

Externally, the limited edition 25th Anniversary MX-5 is identified by Soul Red metallic paint, black-painted A-pillars, door mirrors and retractable roof. Inside the model receives off-white leather upholstery and door cards, a black leather armrest, steering wheel and shift knob highlighted with red stitching, stainless steel scuff plates with 25th Anniversary logo and individual serial numbers.

Customers will also receive a branded his and hers Tourneau commemorative watch set Mazda says complements the 25th Anniversary model's styling. It is constructed of surgical quality stainless steel, and has a genuine sapphire crystal face and a black leather strap with red stitching.

Mazda has sold more than 940,000 examples of the MX-5 since the original NA-series went on sale in 1989. A replacement model is due next year which Mazda says will be slightly smaller, much lighter and boast higher quality and safety levels than any previous model. It is tipped the new model will be powered by a 1.5-litre variant of Mazda's SKYACTIVE powertrain and will also form the basis of an upcoming Fiat sportscar.

The new MX-5 will be officially unveiled next month (September).