Car enthusiasts in the Philippines got a rare treat as the Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition made its first appearance in Asia outside of Japan. The special edition roadster took center stage at Sports Cars for a Cause (SCFC), a charity event held at Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

First unveiled at Mazda Fan Festa last November at Fuji Speedway, this limited-edition MX-5 was built to celebrate 35 years of the beloved roadster since its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show.

SCFC, known as one of the biggest gatherings of sports cars in the country, drew more than 200 high-performance machines to the streets of BGC, specifically along 4th Avenue and 27th Street. Among the sea of horsepower and sleek designs, the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition stood out, drawing plenty of attention from fans eager to see Mazda’s tribute to one of the most iconic roadsters ever made.

“Mazda Philippines is one with the BGC Car Club and NEO in supporting this wonderful event,” Steven Tan, president of Mazda Philippines, said. “The strong sense of charity and compassion among the sports car community in Manila made it the perfect venue to show the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition. Like the people behind Sports Cars for a Cause, the MX-5 is a car that has enjoyed a strong, dedicated following that has made it the world’s best-selling sportscar since its inception in 1989.”

Limited to just 15 units in the country and priced at P2,490,000, the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition itself commemorates more than three decades of pure driving exhilaration that only a lightweight sports car can provide.

The Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition continues to carry an unmistakably sporty silhouette, but with upscale touches exclusive to this variant. It features Artisan Red Premium Metallic paintwork, which is Mazda’s fourth Takuminuri special color. The three-layer finish produces a deep, dark red hue that complements the tan soft top and bright silver 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. A serialized badge on the driver’s rear fender completes the exterior tale.

Inside, the upper door panels and AC vents are color-matched to the exterior so that customers can appreciate the rich, color-shift properties of Artisan Red Premium Metallic. The MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition is also imbued with a classic sports car interior with its heated tan Nappa leather seats embossed with exclusive “35th Anniversary” logos, and matching tan carpeting and floor mats.

Mirroring the high level of equipment found in other Mazda MX-5 Soft Top models, the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition comes standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen powered by the latest-generation Mazda Connect with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual USB Type-C ports, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and a 9-speaker Bose sound system.