- Available only in Switzerland, Mazda's MX-5 "55 Le Mans" Limited Edition marks the Japanese automaker's historic win 20 years ago at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The special-edition MX-5 features a limited-slip differential, Bilstein sports suspension, front strut bar and 10-spoke alloy wheels.
- Only four exterior colors will be offered.
HIROSHIMA, Japan — Available only in Switzerland, Mazda's MX-5 "55 Le Mans" Limited Edition marks the Japanese automaker's historic win 20 years ago at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The special-edition MX-5 features a limited-slip differential, Bilstein sports suspension, front strut bar and 10-spoke alloy wheels. Only four exterior colors will be offered, each with a contrasting body stripe.
The MX-5 will retain its 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox.
The Swiss edition marks the anniversary of Mazda's memorable Le Mans victory in the #55 racecar, better known as the Mazda 787B, powered by a quad-rotor 2.6-liter engine developing an astonishing 925 horsepower.
Inside Line says: You'd think a Le Mans commemorative edition might offer a few more horses. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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ed124c says:
10:20 AM, 03/16/2011
Mazda has lost its focus, especially in the "zoom-zoom" area. As a result, sales have dropped-- a lot. Mazda needs to either bond wih another mainstream carmaker, or simply stop trying to compete with the big guys and just sell sporting vehicles.
Cars like the 6 sedan are just not competitive any more.
Neither is the 3, unless they beef up the power and get rid of the "i" base models.
Perhaps Mazda's biggest problem is that none of their vehicles are competitive in the area of gas mileage. That might become a bigger problem if the Mideast unrest is not resoleved quickly.
copmotor440cid says:
09:36 AM, 03/16/2011
How about commemerating the 787B by putting a 2.6L quad rotor in the RX-8. Or (too late) bringing out a new RX-7? RX-8 has always been a chassis in search of an engine anyway.
dgmail says:
02:23 AM, 03/16/2011
Look close.
"special paint & sticker on the door"
NO THANKS. I'm not the typical dumb secretary that is the target market fot this car.
akitadog says:
11:37 AM, 03/15/2011
Well, the wheels dont look any different from what we get here. Glad to hear that the LSD, the suspension and strut bar are more than just for looks.
scottyscooter says:
11:03 AM, 03/15/2011
Why did Mazda not put the Renessis rotary in this MX-5? That would be a true tribute to their 1991 Mazda 787B victory, and would also make this the coolest Miata that Mazda has ever sold.
Mazda missed a great opportunity with this car.
hopster says:
10:50 AM, 03/15/2011
Yeah, this special edition would better belong on an RX-8 as it, like the Mazda LeMans winner, also is powered by those little spinny triangle things.
sniperruff says:
10:50 AM, 03/15/2011
"Any enthusiast can see right through this "paint and stickers" job."
I can't find the stickers but I did find some meaningful upgrades to enhance handling:
"The special-edition MX-5 features a limited-slip differential, Bilstein sports suspension, front strut bar and 10-spoke alloy wheels."
If anything, this upgrade should be similar to the special edition Miata that's in the long-term fleet.
akula1 says:
10:48 AM, 03/15/2011
Miata Le Mans edition? This must be a joke. Mazda knows the Miata doesn't have a rotary right? Yeah, it's a joke. Poor RX-8. I guess it'll get a SCCA Autocross edition?
derrickt says:
10:38 AM, 03/15/2011
@ dgmail
Mazda was the first, and is the only, Japanese manufacturer to ever win at Le Mans. And they also did it in their rotary-powered 787B. They didn't overpower the other manufacturers; they simply out-drove them. The 787B was simply more reliable than the other cars.
But yes, the brands you mentioned are also known names in the world of Le Mans.
Also...any driving enthusiast...knows the joy of driving a Miata too. Not overwhelming power, but really nice handling. Everything just flows with that car. I mean, the looks are a bit feminine but whatever. hahaha
dgmail says:
09:58 AM, 03/15/2011
When I think racing heritage and LeMans, these people dont really come to mind.
Yes. Ford, MB, Jaguar, Corvette, Viper, Audi.
Not mazda
Looks like Mazda is reaching pretty far back to boost falling sales.
Any enthusiast can see right through this "paint and stickers" job.