- Mazda is building a limited run of 165 cars exclusively for the German market.
- All cars are finished in Metis Green Metallic.
- Each special edition is priced from $42,975.
HIROSHIMA, Japan — Mazda is building a limited run of 165 MX-5 Karais exclusively for the German market. Based on the Sport Line package and finished in Metis Green Metallic, the MX-5 Karai is priced from $42,975.
Standard equipment includes Recaro buckets trimmed in black leather and Alcantara, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with white stitching, a black power-retractable hardtop and black 17-inch alloy wheels with low-profile performance tires. The grille, foglamp surrounds and mirror housings also are painted black.
The MX-5 Karai — the Japanese word translates as "sharp" — also comes with an optional sport package that bundles a lowering kit and sport mufflers, as well as a convenience package with iPod/USB connectivity.
For good measure, Mazda throws in a Sinn chronograph in a matching green-black color design.
Inside Line says: Too bad Mazda elected not to goose the stock 160-horsepower 2.0-liter under the hood.
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ed124c says:
10:07 AM, 07/07/2011
I am glad it isn't coming to the US, because I can always spot a green Mazda 2 from half a mile away.
By the way, there seems to be a misprint: The price is actually $32,975, isn't it? Isn't it?
You know, Mazda should be trying to get a foothold in the US, rather than coming out with this useless "special." Pretty soon they wil be in the same position as Mitsubishi.
I wonder if Mazda's sales woes are due to all the sporting models they sell here-- Miata, Mazda 3, Mazdaspeed 3, RX8 (gone, I guess), the turbo Mazda CX7.
Too many niche cars for a company that wants to compete with Nissan and Honda. Toyota has it all down pat-- just give them vanilla.
kjgood says:
04:59 AM, 07/07/2011
OK, without having done any independent market research on MX-5 purchases in Germany, I am at a loss as to why Mazda found this "package" not only worth developing, but pointed at a small set of customers in the German market. Maybe IL could have clued us in on that...??? Seems curious to say the least. Is there some voracious appetite for MX-5s in Germany that we don't know about? Is is so huge that a special ugly-green, tarted-up, overpriced version is desirable to meet demand, or to be a supposed halo-car to whip up demand? Did 165 German lunatics send deposit checks to Mazda?
I really think IL should start a "Pointless Car of the Year" competition, since several strong runners, including this one, have been reported here in recent months.
BTW, I concur that rather than creating goofy packages like this, perhaps Mazda should focus on putting some real HP under the hood of the MX-5... that is one reason why I have never bought one. They tease us every now and again with a Mazdaspeed version, but never get serious about providing a more powerful version on an ongoing basis.
alex38 says:
02:04 AM, 07/07/2011
How do you say "Ripoff" in German?
gmhl10 says:
12:08 AM, 07/07/2011
It's definitely not 40K Euros because Euros don't use $$$ dollar signs and the article clearly does.
At least this is a car I don't mind not hitting stateside. lol.
ambee514 says:
09:40 PM, 07/06/2011
agreeing with: isend2c
throw a rotary engine in it, then it is worth the price tag
akula1 says:
09:21 PM, 07/06/2011
@bc1960
I'm sorry, what level is the Miata on in your view?
So $40K Euros=$60K USD. Is that better?
I do believe this is the most expensive 160hp car I've ever seen sold by a manufacturer. Congratulations??
bc1960 says:
08:37 PM, 07/06/2011
@akula1: It's priced in Euros, with VAT, in Germany so it would start at almost $39K before options. It's not hard to add $4000 to almost anything at this level.
isend2c says:
07:23 PM, 07/06/2011
I thought that "special" meant special. Give the Miata a rotary, then it'll be special.
nj2481 says:
06:23 PM, 07/06/2011
When are automakers going to realize that adding some color isn't gonna cut it?
You could do this in the aftermarket for thousands cheaper.
agnh says:
02:09 PM, 07/06/2011
Kermit The Frog, your car is ready.