The Mazda Miata, the Windy City and the Chicago Auto Show. A rather unique trio containing a vehicle, a city and a special stop in the major auto circuit each year. Separately they are each rich enough in history, but together they share a deep history of inter-workings dating back to the historic unveiling of the original Miata in 1989 at the Chicago show.
Now, some 900,000-plus units later after more than 23 years, for the second year running, Mazda has yet another special edition MX-5 Miata destined for the show floor of the 2012 Chicago auto show: the 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition, as it is aptly named.
This unique and limited-run roadster comes bearing a black-only Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT), marking the first time U.S. consumers have had the option to purchase the hard top without a body-color paint scheme. The car also comes in two new exterior colors, exclusive 17-inch black gunmetal alloy wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior finishes to match.
This special drop-top can be had either with a six-speed do-it-yourself transmission complete with a short-throw shifter, or a six-speed sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel.
At its heart, the Special Edition is based on the Grand Touring model from 2011, but the SE comes with both the Premium and Suspension Packages as standard, adding features like Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite radio, Bilstein shocks and a completely sport-tuned suspension system.
If nostalgia is more your thing and you plan to attend the Chicago show, be sure to check out the 1990 Miata (15th to roll off of the assembly line) that debuted back in 1989 at the show, compliments of Mazda, still with just 3,688 original miles.
