Mazda celebrates 25 years of the MX-5 with special edition

Promising a host of special exterior and interior features, the Anniversary Limited Edition will be strictly limited to 1000 numbered examples and example number one will be making its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 26.

And it's fitting that Mazda, a Japanese carmaker, has chosen a UK event to reveal the little roadster to the world. Because, despite the MX-5's global appeal, its biggest and most dedicated fanbase is in England.

But that's not completely surprising seeing as the original MX-5, unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show back in 1989 was a modern-day reimagining of the classic British sportscars of the past. It was equal parts Lotus Elan, TR6, and MGB in terms of design, handling and feel, but it offered something that none of those classics of the 1960s and 70s could -- bullet-proof Japanese reliability and build quality.

Over the past 25 years it has clocked up sales of nearly 1 million, despite being a very niche car, and still holds the Guinness World Record for the world's best-selling two-seater car. A record that it keeps breaking.

So to celebrate this ongoing success and to mark 25 years in production, Mazda will be unveiling a very special edition of the little car with a specially created Soul Red metallic paint finish complemented by an interior leather trim with equally red contrast stitching. The cabin in each model also gets a bespoke, hand-painted dashboard decoration panel, and each car will carry its example number on internal and external badges.

Other finishing touches unique to the anniversary edition will include gunmetal grey alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust and a rear diffuser.

Of the 1000 panned examples, a massive 750 have been set aside specifically for the UK and they will be getting one or two extra features. Most notably a touchscreen navigation system developed by Alpine, preloaded with maps for 46 European countries and featuring a built-in CD and DVD player as well as USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

Two things that won't be changed on the special edition are the engine and chassis set up: the Car will keep the current 2-liter, 160PS powerplant and six-speed manual and the vehicle will still have perfect 50/50 weight distribution for better handling.