Mazda MX-5 Niseko Special Edition Launched in Germany

Following its introduction in the UK market last December, Mazda has launched the special edition MX-5 Niseko model in Germany where it will be available in soft-top form equipped with a 126Hp 1.8-liter engine and as a Coupe-Cabriolet with the 160Hp 2.0-liter unit. Named after Japan’s most prestigious skiing resort, the Niseko models are available in an exclusive new bespoke color, Icy Blue Metallic, as well as Sunlight Silver Metallic.

On the outside, the MX-5 Niseko has been enhanced with new 17-inch alloy wheels, unique body-color finish for the style bar trims, front fog lamps, Chrome Pack (door handles and headlamp bezels, and surrounds for the side-repeaters, front grille and fog lamps) along with ‘Niseko’ badging on both front wings, plus a unique dark brown premium cloth for the fabric roof for the soft-top version. -Continued

Passengers are treated with unique dark brown heated leather seats with coordinated door trim and blue stitching, plus dark brown leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake. Moreover, the Niseko editions feature a dark-silver dash panel, stainless-steel scuff plates and Niseko-branded interior mats along with a high-end BOSE sound system with seven speakers and a 6-pack CD changer.

Prices in Germany are set a €21,700 for the 1.8i Soft-Top and at €25.400 for the 2.0i Coupe-Cabriolet.

Mazda MX-5 NISEKO Limited Edition Version

Named after Japan’s most well-known skiing resort, the pair of special edition MX-5 ‘Niseko’ models will be available in limited numbers. On sale in the UK from 1 January 2008, both the ‘entry-level’ £17,995 1.8i Niseko soft-top (126ps, five-speed) and the £19,995 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe (160ps, six-speed) are offered in an exclusive bespoke colour ‘Icy Blue’ metallic, as well as Sunlight Silver metallic. Just 240 examples of the Mazda MX-5 1.8i Niseko soft-top and 560 units of the MX-5 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe will be made available in the UK.

Special exterior features of the Mazda MX-5 Niseko models include new 17-inch alloy wheels, unique body-colour finish for the style bar trim, front fog lamps, Chrome Pack (door handles and headlamp bezels, and surrounds for the side-repeaters, front grille and fog lamps) and special edition ‘Niseko’ badging on each front wing, plus a unique dark brown premium cloth for the fabric roof (soft-top only). -Continued after the jump

Inside, both Niseko models feature unique dark brown heated leather seats with co-ordinated door trim and icy blue stitching, plus dark brown leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake. They are also equipped with a dark-silver dash panel, stainless-steel scuff plates and Niseko-branded luxury interior mats, with a suspension strut tower bracing bar beneath the bonnet.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Mazda

Mazda MX-5 – Miata by MAZDASPEED: 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon

Along with the Atenza / “6” sport concept and a trio of Demio / “2” custom editions, Mazda’s stand at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon in January will also include a MX-5 / Miata roadster prepped by MAZDASPEED. Unfortunately, the Japanese carmaker hasn’t released any specific details on the roadster, but from what we can see in the pictures, the MX-5 / Miata features a full bodykit with front and rear aprons, skirts, a rear spoiler, side air vents and new alloy-wheels. Inside, MAZDASPEED equipped the roadster with a pair of two-tone bucket seats and a matching steering wheel. -One more image after the jump

Mazda Miata / MX-5 RHT "Prestige Edition"

Mazda has released the -we’ve lost count of how many- special edition of the Miata or as others know it, MX-5 Roadster. Based on the Miata RHT with the electric folding hardtop, the “Prestige Edition” will only be available in the Japanese market. Highlights of the special edition version include the heated black leather bucket seats, the 17-inch aluminum forged alloy wheels by BBS, and the stainless steel scuff plates and front fog lights. -Continued after the jump

Additionally, a front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type) and Mazda’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system which are standard in the version with the 6-speed manual gearbox are added to the six-speed automatic transmission (AT) model. According to Mazda, prices for the Prestige Edition start at 2,950,000 yen ($25,650 or €18,050) for the six-speed manual transmission model and 3,050,000 yen ($26,500 or €18,650) for the six-speed automatic transmission model.

Main features of the Mazda Roadster Prestige Edition

Base models

Roadster Power Retractable hard Top RS RHT (six-speed manual transmission version) and VS RHT (six-speed automatic transmission version).

Special equipment

- Exclusive heated bucket seats with black genuine leather upholstery and door trim
The high quality, refined leather bucket seats are exquisitely crafted and highlighted with bold grey stitching. The seats enhance the black interior design and match every body color.

- Driver’s side ratchet lever seat lifter

A lever on the side of the driver’s seat can be used to adjust the seat height by 30 mm.

- Exclusive 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels forged by BBS Japan Co. Ltd.

The alloy wheels combine ruggedness and refinement and have a highly reflective chrome finish for maximum impact. The forged aluminium also contributes to improved driving performance by reducing vehicle weight and increasing rigidity.

- Exclusive stainless steel scuff plates

The glossy stainless steel enhances the quality of the door surrounds.

- Front fog lights (clear type) with black bezels

- Front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type)

Specially added to the six-speed automatic transmission model. It is standard equipment for the 6-speed manual transmission base modl.

- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system

Specially added to the six-speed automatic transmission model. It is available for the six-speed manual transmission base model as a factory-installed option.

Body Colors

A range of seven body colors is available to choose from.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Roadster Prestige Edition

Model	Engine	Transmission	Price (yen)
			With tax	Without tax
Prestige Edition	2.0L DOHC	6-speed MT	2,950,000	2,809,524
		6-speed AT	3,050,000	2,904,762

-A separate recycling fee of 10,600 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above (for the optional SRS side airbag system, the fee is 10,910 yen).

Changes to the Roadster RHT base model

- The driver’s side ratchet lever seat lifter (featured on the Prestige Edition) is newly available as a factory installed option.

HIROSHI: Toyota 2000GT Replica Based On Mazda Miata

Toyota 2000GT & Mazda Miata; two of the most famous and iconic sports cars ever to be produced in the “Land of the rising sun”. However, that and the fact they share the same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, is about all these two have in common. The 2000GT was a very expensive sports coupe produced in minuscule numbers -just 351 units between 1967 and 1970, while the Miata / MX-5 roadster is one of the best selling sports cars of all time with more than 800,000 units produced since 1989. -Continued : Click “Read More…” below

Still, that didn’t bother Mr. Makoto Kobayash who runs Road Star Garage in Aichi Japan to find a common ground between the two sports cars. Even if the 2000GT was never actually sold as a cabriolet, two coupes had been transformed into drop tops for the sake of the 1967 James Bond film, “You Only Live Twice”. And that's exactly what inspired the Japanese company into creating a 2000GT Cabriolet replica based on the Mazda Miata / MX5, which they call, Hiroshi.

Unfortunately, that's all we can tell you about the "Hiroshi" as all the details on the company's site are in Japanese and as many of you might know, we can’t tell the difference between sayonara and sushi. But feel free to check out the full image gallery below. An oh, don't forget to tell us what you think about the conversion.

Link: Road Star Garage