Other markets are able to order the 35ae and being given delivery timelines. The MMUK site doesn’t list it, does anyone know if it’s actually coming here?
I don’t think Mazda UK is bringing it in.
2 Likes
That would seem to be the case:
That seems to confirm what was said at the National Rally last year. The type approval costs for even small changes to specification were prohibitive here in the UK.
Why would effectively what is an appearance pack require type approval? Is that the situation we are in now.
From Mazda USA
The MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary features Artisan Red Metallic paintwork, a beige soft top, uniquely finished 17-inch wheels, and serialized badging on the front fender. Inside, the tan Nappa leather is complemented with tan carpeting and floor mats along with special seats featuring the 35th Anniversary logo embossed in the head rests. The interior trim around the AC vents and upper door panel will be color matched to the exterior color so that customers can appreciate the rich, color-shift properties of Artisan Red even while inside the cabin.
“Type approval costs” sounds like a throw-away excuse to me.
Given it can easily be shown that something like the 35AE model would continue to meet the Conformity of Production standards which would have been evidenced and met when the ND first went on UK sale, in order to achieve Vehicle Type Approval sign-off.
The vehicle has not been fundamentally changed. It is simply yet another ‘special edition’ / different specification level.
What a shame. I love the look of it. The total antithesis of the 30AE.
I can only tell you what was said by the Mazda representative at the National meeting. The same information was repeated at one of the ‘meet and greet’ events with the two creators of the NA.
.
My guess is that these anniversary models end up getting quite heavily discounted (despite then holding their value) because their aesthetics are a bit polarising compared to the regular car. If they’re not good for dealers it doesn’t make sense for Mazda to import them.
Not my cup of tea at all, but a pity it isn’t released here, as I’m sure it would be to some people’s taste.
Those wheels won’t have been type approved in our market. Don’t quote me but I think that anything that changes the weight or aero dynamics needs type approval and I think that wheels come under one of those categories.
1 Like
Must be a bit of a change in UK MX5 sales. The UK, along with Germany, used to lead sales of MX5s in Europe.
If it were just the wheels, why not sell it here with normal wheels. The aftermarket in wheels is pretty much unregulated in the UK, so no reason why the wheels couldn’t be available as a customer-fit accessory.
Those wheels are exactly the same as the ones fitted to regular ND3s, just in a single colour rather than the nasty diamond cut and black. That can’t be the reason.
2 Likes
OK, I stand corrected, but is type approval given by eye or part number? I’m sure that if it was cost effective for MMUK to offer the 35 AE in the UK they would. I doubt that it’s easy to produce/sell cars that are profitable.
Which other markets are these?
I am not actually sure the 35AE is available at all in Europe (happy to be proven wrong)
Agreed.
See post #5
US definitely.
Just had a quick look on the Belgian Mazda site and not mentioned there either so may be a European wide thing, odd.
Completely missed that! Yes, USA and Japan both have it listed, France, Germany, UK and Belgium don’t so I am going with not for Europe…although I am trying to work out what markets they are taking it to besides those then…
Last I heard they were being numbered but there was no limit, just anyone who ordered got it
They US are getting only 300. They aren’t a free for all order.
Agreed, Mazda USA released a statement that only 300 were available there:
However, the original publication of the 35th Anniversary launch said:
商品開発本部 主査の斎藤茂樹氏は、「求められたすべて人にお届けしたいので、数量限定にはしていません。まだロードスターに載っていない方も、すでに乗っている方も、ぜひ乗り換えていただきたいです」とコメント。
Which Google tells me means:
Shigeki Saito, Chief of Product Development Division, commented, “We don’t have a limited quantity because we want to deliver to everyone who wants it. We want those who don’t have a Roadster yet, and those who already have one, to switch over.”
And matches the fact they aren’t numbered within a series (or at least weren’t upon reveal):
So Japan get as many as they want, the USA get 300 and no one else gets one?