It’s a no-brainer to understand why the Mazda MX-5 (also globally known as the Mazda Miata) is the world’s most loved roadster—the car is ridiculously charming, sincerely affordable, and an absolute joy to drive. Also testament to its timelessness is the fact that it was (the ‘Father of Miata’) Tom Matano’s genius design of the first-gen Miata that revitalized and successfully re-popularized the concept of a two-seater, open-top sports car on a global scale—at a time when the sales of roadsters was practically crashing.
Having said that, we can realistically say that it was the introduction of the Miata that kept roadsters from going extinct. And now, like a beautiful species that has bounced back in number, it continues to captivate hearts while maintaining that core DNA that has not only ensured its survival, but practically allowed it to flourish.
This year, Mazda Philippines happily announces the local availability of the 2022 Mazda MX-5, that now comes with the option for a new body color, new interior trim color and further personalization. It also comes equipped with new tech called Kinematic Posture Control (KPC), which basically makes taking fast corners with the already amazingly balanced MX-5 even more enjoyable, since KPC is essentially a type of suspension-brake-integrated tech that keeps the car better planted on the road even with heightened G-forces. This, according to Mazda’s Shigeki Saito, further improves the driver’s ‘one-ness’ with the MX-5, even at higher speeds. And as a bonus, there is absolutely no extra weight added onto the vehicle to accommodate this new tech!
Moreover, to the delight of our local enthusiasts, a new soft-top variant of the MX-5 Club Edition—that’s the extra fancy one that comes with the Recaro Sport bucket seats and 17-inch forged BBS wheels and all – is now available for order. It can come with either a manual or automatic, as one can indicate when customizing his or her 2022 new Mazda MX-5 using www.mazda.ph’s Build Your MX-5 portal.
Iconic wheels for an iconic car: German-made BBS light alloy wheels 
As a matter of fact, you can choose from over 76 possible option combinations now, while virtually custom-building your very own MX-5, to tailor it to your every desire. This year’s new body color offering is the lustrous Platinum Quartz. A cherry red top can also be selected, as well as the option for Terracotta (think: the earthy color of Italian pots) Nappa leather.
Realistically speaking, we’re looking at a possible 4- to 5-month wait to receive a customized order these days (given the global microchip shortage affecting car manufacturers worldwide, due to COVID and all)—and that’s really not bad, given the circumstances.
“I really can’t stop talking about the Mazda MX-5,” admits Mazda Philippines President and CEO, Steven Tan, during the online press launch event of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 in the Philippines—which was also attended by genius designer himself, Tom Matano all the way from San Francisco; and members of the Miata Club of the Philippines (now celebrating their 25th anniversary since their club›s formation).
Tan explains that, “With over a thousand examples sold by our distributorship since 2014, the Mazda MX-5 continues to be a popular and highly regarded sports car in the Philippines. Mazda’s lightweight, open-top formula—as seen on the MX-5—has consistently been realized for more than 30 years. But we believe there is still room to involve the driver even more and enhance the emotional bond with his car. That is why we are continuing to elevate this already unique driving experience with the introduction of new features and owner-initiated options that will make future MX-5 owners even happier and fulfilled!”
Now, while it may sound rather unlikely (being a third-world country and all), it is extremely interesting to realize that the Philippines happens to have the most number of Miata owners in Asia after Japan! That’s how important the Philippine market is to the Miata. And deservingly so, Mazda loves our country back.
As a matter of fact, Tan also reveals that Mazda Philippines is now offering a special ‘Miata Club Philippines 25th Anniversary Edition› MX-5 variant, which clearly from the name, celebrates MCP›s silver anniversary in the country. Obviously, it›s not very often that a special edition is released and dedicated to a local car club, but that›s exactly the magic of the Mazda Miata phenomenon—it’s really a special car that catalyzes special things.
The MCP 25th Anniversary Edition MX-5 showcases a blue top, black leather seats, and the new body color of Platinum Quartz (since its beautiful quartz luster was chosen to symbolize the ‹un-ending youth› of Miata lovers). This special variant is also immediately recognizable via its unique, thin red strip that runs from the car›s front to rear. Additionally, all buyers of the MCP 25th Anniversary Edition MX-5 will also receive a special MCP 25th Anniversary book, together with their purchase. And just to clarify, this variant will not be sold in a limited number of units; but instead will be produced based on the incoming demand. There is a limited time to acquire these vehicles though, and that is from February 28, 2022 to September 2023 only.
As is fair enough, the first delivery of these special units in the Philippines will of course, be for MCP members who were given first dibs. They are, after all, arguably one of the most active, long-lasting and joyful car clubs in the Philippines!