Mazda MX-5 Miata: 25 Years On

This year the legendary Mazda MX-5 celebrates its 25th anniversary. The little roadster was unveiled for the first time on February 9, 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. It was a reveal that was reminiscent of many '60s-era roadsters.

Since then, Mazda has sold over 920,000 MX-5s worldwide, entering it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the most popular two-seater sports car.

Three Generations Later

The first version of the MX-5 appeared in 1989, while the second came in 1998. Production of the third generation began in 2005.

A Missed Appointment

According to some rumors, the fourth version was to be unveiled at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, but it wasn’t there.

There are three possibilities for the fourth-gen reveal:
- An unveiling in March at the Geneva Motor Show
- An unveiling in April at the New York Auto Show
- An unveiling in September at the Paris Motor Show

The 2015 Mazda MX-5 has been developed in collaboration with Alfa Romeo, which will offer a similar model with a different style and powered by a Fiat engine.

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

MechanicalInspecting the 2014 Mazda Mazda3
What do you do when it’s -30 degrees Celsius outside? You call the garage, of course! Don’t get me wrong, the 2014 Mazda3 I was test driving was running smoothly, but I wanted to get a better view of what makes it tick. So, I called my friend Ghyslain from …
Test Drives2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The King Of Roadsters
There are certain automobiles that consistently appear on top 10 lists regardless of the publication. The 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata is one such car, a vehicle whose almost universal appeal and outstanding driving dynamics have made it the darling of not just journalists, but of both amateur track drivers and …
Special EventsMazda Celebrates the Millionth MX-5 with Stop in Canada
RICHMOND HILL, Ontario – For 27 years, the Mazda MX-5, otherwise known as the Miata, has changed the way we think of cars, and garnered a cult following in the process. It all started with a sketch from Bob Hall, then General Manager of Product Planning and Tom Matano, the …