Mazda Honours MX-5 With Anniversary Website

IT’S SEEN off numerous competitors over the past quarter of a century to become the go-to affordable sporting roadster, and now Mazda has launched a special website to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company's legendary MX-5 sports car.

The website offers a glimpse at the history and future of the most popular roadster of all time, including messages from the engineers behind its development.

Originally designed in the 1980s, the first MX-5 was unveiled to the world in February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. Inspired by the stylish roadsters of the 1960s and 1970s, Mazda stuck to the formula that made them so popular: nimble, lightweight, open-air motoring fun.

However in reviving a segment many industry observers considered extinct, the MX-5 also featured the latest engineering and an unprecedented level of affordable sports car quality and reliability.

Now in its third generation, the MX-5 continues to be a resounding success, with more than 200 awards to date from around the world including Car of the Year Japan 2005-2006. Production of the Guinness World Record holder for best-selling two-seater sports car surpassed the 920,000-unit mark in December.

The 25th anniversary website, which will be updated regularly, can be found at: www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/craftmanship/mx-5/mx-5_25th/

By Press Association reporters