20 Years of Mazda MX-5 Celebrated at Le Mans

This year, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mazda will take the opportunity to celebrate 20 years since the MX-5 model first entered the market.

The Miata/MX-5 made its arrival on February 10, 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show as a fresh roadster, which sold globally for nearly 10 years, becoming one of the most successful Mazdas ever produced. The model also entered the Guinness Book of World Records with more than 850,000 units sold to date.

The first production car came with an all-wheel double wishbone independent suspension fitted with disc-brakes all around. The car’s lightweight aluminum bonnet housed a 1.6 L DOHC straight petrol engine rated at 120 bhp and 136 Nm of torque.

Coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission and complemented by a lightweight all-steel body construction, the car accelerated to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, while the speedometer indicator froze around 120 mph.

To properly mark the 20 years anniversary, Mazda cooperated with European MX-5 clubs to bring a total of 200 MX-5s from all over Europe at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, scheduled to take place on June 13 and 14 this year.

To be a part of the event, Mazda MX-5 owners and fans can contact their national MX-5 club or visit the Mazda France website www.mazda.fr. The 100 euro package includes a place for the car, an anniversary polo shirt, a rally plate, dinner and breakfast. The participants will also be invited to an exclusive Mazda Camp bordering the circuit reserved for them.

Attendees can also watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans race live and to show their support to the 3 teams motorized by Mazda engines in the LMP2 category. A “Best of Show” competition will also be held during the event with a special award going to the most beautiful MX-5.