Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition priced from $50k

Mazda has commemorated the MX-5’s 30th birthday by releasing a new limited-edition version of the venerable roadster.

However, only 30 people will be invited to the party in Australia.

The Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition is limited to 3000 examples globally, 30 of which will be allocated to Aussie showrooms and have already been spoken for.

Mazda has confirmed the newcomer will be priced at $49,990 (plus on-road costs) – a sizeable premium over the donor car but one distinguished by some standalone touches.

Each is based on the manual 2.0-litre Roadster GT, adorned in a bright Racing Orange paintwork that is “inspired by the breaking of dawn, signalling the beginning of a new era”.

Elsewhere, there are specially designed Rays forged alloy wheels inspired by MX-5 Global Cup Cars, painted Brembo front callipers and Nissin rear callipers, and a requisite anniversary badge.

Orange stitching continues the theme inside on the car’s Recaro seats, steering wheel, shifter, dash and door, complementing Alcantara trim.

Of the 30 Australian examples, 10 are bound for Victoria, nine for New South Wales, four for Queensland, three for the Australian Capital Territory, two for South Australia and one for Tasmania.

The anniversary model’s arrival coincides with the rollout of standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for all Mazda MX-5 models, which are on sale now.

$49,990 plus on-road costs

Racing Orange body colour
RAYS forged alloys wheels (RAYS ZE40 RS30)
“30th Anniversary” build plate ornament (with serial number)
Colour scheme with orange accents
(brake callipers, vent surround, seat piping and stitch, steering wheel stitching, door trim stitching, dashboard decoration panel stitching, and shift / handbrake parking lever stitching)
Alcantara® material (door trim, dashboard decoration panel and seat centre)
RECARO seats
Bilstein dampers
Brembo front brake calipers (orange painted)
NISSIN rear brake calipers (orange painted)