Mazda Introduces Racing-Inspired MX-5 and 2 Black Limited Editions in U.K.

Mazda Introduces Racing-Inspired MX-5 and 2 Black Limited Editions in U.K.: "

We forgive you for not knowing the back-story about these two special Mazdas, even if we did report on their inspiration back in March. We know; a certain motorsport-oriented cable TV network has the nerve to not televise the 2011 Britcar Production GTN Championship for its countless fans here in the U.S. Anyway, Mazda U.K. has been racing a 275-horsepower, 1870-pound MX-5 this year with relative success against some tough competition from the likes of Lotus Elises, Seat Leons, and BMW M3s. So to fulfill the old “Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday” mantra, there are now special race car-inspired “Black Limited Edition” versions of not just the MX-5, but also the Mazda2, available for Her Majesty’s people.

Unfortunately, Mazda interprets the words “black” and “edition” rather differently than does Porsche, whose Black Editions of the 911, Boxster, and Cayman are loaded with awesome. In this case case, the “black” part comes into play on the roofs and wheels of both models, with the MX-5 getting a black power-retracting hard top and the Mazda2 getting a strip of black vinyl over the roof panel; each wears a set of matching black shoes. Each car also offers an option of green, white, or red paint to contrast against the dark elements.

For both models, the real changes essentially end right there. The MX-5 uses the “Sport Tech” model as its basis, so it comes with features like air conditioning, a Bose audio system, Bluetooth, cruise control, and fog lights. The engine is a 160-hp 2.0-liter four, the transmission is a six-speed manual, the price is just a fiver under £23,000, and just 500 will be built. As for Mazda2, it uses a questionably sporty 84-horsepower 1.3-liter (the black roof must add 10 more ponies, we know it) and gets content similar to the MX-5’s, with the addition of tinted windows. A total of 618 will be produced at a more favorable price of £12,395 for the red version or 420 pounds more for the premium green or white paints. Meanwhile, the one we really want—that 275-hp MX-5 GT—remains a one-off track toy.

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Source : Google reader