New Car: 2012 Mazda MX-5 Kuro

Mazda will continue to celebrate its famous roadster, the MX-5 Miata, by launching yet another special version of the car in the U.K. Called the MX-5 Kuro, the latest model has a unique new color scheme and several sportier body parts.

The Kuro’s roof is painted black, as are the mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The only paint choices are red, white, and black. In that respect, the MX-5 Kuro is somewhat similar to the special-edition car that Mazda introduced for the American market at the Chicago auto show. The Kuro goes one step further, however, adding a new rear fascia with built-in diffuser, a larger exhaust tip, racing stripes along each side of the car, black foglight housings, and special Kuro badges. The interior scores aluminum pedals, gray leather heated seats, and gray leather door panels with red stitching.

Just 600 copies will be sold in the U.K., of which 200 are soft tops and 400 have the MX-5′s power-folding hardtop. To help entice customers to buy the cars, Mazda is even offering special low interest-rate financing for the MX-5 Kuro.

Mazda has been busy rolling out special version of the MX-5: in addition to the American-market Miata Special Edition and supercharged, 241-hp MX-5 Yusho prototype, Mazda this week showed off the MX-5 GT concept. The latter is designed to be a road-legal car for track day enthusiasts, complete with a more powerful engine, slick tires and stiffer suspension, and Recaro bucket seats. Unlike the other special-edition models, Mazda hasn’t yet decided whether it will produce the MX-5 GT.

All these vamped-up cars are meant to pay tribute to the fact that the MX-5 has sold over 900,000 copies globally since its launch in 1989. They also will serve as a sort of swan-song: Mazda will likely introduce a new version of the MX-5 in the next few years, the basis of which will be used to build a new Alfa Romeo Spider.

A Mazda spokesman said the MX-5 lends itself to special edition models particularly well because it’s an enthusiast’s car: the company wouldn’t make special versions of the Mazda 2 subcompact or CX-5 crossover, for instance. Showing off unique cars at auto shows helps draw attention to the design and customization possibilities of the roadster. The spokesman told us that there will be more special editions of the MX-5 in the U.S. — but it’s unlikely they’ll resemble the hotted-up MX-5 GT concept, or even the Yushi. Here’s hoping they somehow manage to build that spectacular Super20.

Thanks to: Motor Trend