MX-5 STEALS THE VIBE: Mazda’s iconic roadster makes its mark again

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.

Powering the Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition is a high-revving 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine delivering 184 PS at 7,000 rpm and 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm. This is paired exclusively to a six-speed manual.

Like other 2025 MX-5 MT variants, the MX-5 35thAnniversary Edition amplifies Mazda’s “Jinbai-Ittai” philosophy of “horse and rider as one” with two new circuit-developed technologies: DSC-TRACK mode and Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential. This is on top of sport-tuned Bilstein dampers.

“This special edition is 35 years in the making. The 2025 MX-5 is the most capable version of our roadster yet, and we are thankful to the more than 1,500 MX-5 customers in the country who have become part not just of the MX-5 community in the Philippines, but also as part of the global community. We are delighted to share this milestone with each and every one of you,” Tan said.

There are 13 Mazda 3S dealerships located across the Philippines and Metro Manila — Mazda C-5 Pasig, Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda Makati, Mazda Alabang, Mazda Sta. Rosa, Mazda Pulilan, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cabanatuan, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Bacolod, Mazda Cagayan De Oro and Mazda Davao.