List of Mazda MX-5 colors and special editions

This is a list of exterior colors and special editions of the Mazda MX-5. It is organized by model year. Within each year, the first bullet indicates standard production colors. Colors in bold were introduced in that year. For paint codes, see the [http://www.miata.net/gallery/#colors Miata.net Gallery] .

Special editions are production models with non-standard features, either mechanical, body, trim, and/or colors. They are usually marketed in one country or region, and for a single year. Limited editions are special editions with a pre-assigned volume limit. Some special editions are also limited but not labeled as such. Some special and limited editions are individually numbered; of these, some display the number on the car. Mazda has also used other denominations for special editions.

First Generation (NA)

1990

*Classic Red, Crystal White, Mariner Blue, Silver Stone Metallic (from March 1990 in USA)
* No special editions worldwide

1991

*Classic Red, Crystal White, Mariner Blue, Silver Stone Metallic
*British Racing Green (BRG) Special Edition (4,000 in USA and 150 in Benelux, numbered with badge; also in UK)
*Brilliant Black and Neo Green (same as British Racing Green) V-Special (Japan, color range 1991-93)
*24 Hour Le Mans (24 in UK, see Color curiosities)

1992

*Brilliant Black, British Racing Green (Europe), Classic Red, Crystal White, Mariner Blue, Silver Stone Metallic, Sunburst Yellow (USA)
*Brilliant Black (in USA as C Package; in Canada as Special Edition; 200 in UK, as SE)
*Sunburst Yellow J-Limited (800 in Japan)
*Brave Blue Mica M2-1001 (300 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black and Neo Green (same as British Racing Green) V-Special (Japan, color range 1991-93)

1993

*Brilliant Black, British Racing Green (Europe), Classic Red, Crystal White, Mariner Blue
*Brilliant Black (1,505 in USA, numbered, as Limited Edition; 1,000 in Japan, as S-Limited; 150 in UK, as SE)
*Brilliant Black Canadian Limited (1,500 in Canada)
*Brave Blue Mica M2-1002 (300 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black and Neo Green (same as British Racing Green) V-Special (Japan, color range 1991-93)
*Brilliant Black, Chaste White (same as White), Classic Red and Laguna Blue Metallic S-Special (Japan, color range 1993-95)

1994

*Brilliant Black, British Racing Green (Canada and Europe), Classic Red, Laguna Blue Metallic, Sunburst Yellow (Europe), White
*Montego Blue Mica M-Edition (3,003 in USA, also in Europe)
*Sunburst Yellow J-Limited Type 2 (800 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black and Chaste White (same as White) M2-1028 (300 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black, Chaste White (same as White), Classic Red and Laguna Blue Metallic S-Special (Japan, color range 1993-95)
*Brilliant Black Tokyo Limited (40 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black, British Racing Green and Chaste White (same as White) V-Special Type II (Japan)

1995

*Brilliant Black, British Racing Green (Canada and Europe), Classic Red, Laguna Blue Metallic, Montego Blue Mica, White
*Merlot Mica M-Edition (3,500 in USA)
*Montego Blue Mica (500 in Japan as RS-Limited; 400 in UK as 'Gleaneagles')
*Satellite Blue (same as Starlight Mica) and Chaste White (same as White) R-Limited (1,000 in Japan)
*Satellite Blue (same as Starlight Mica) G-Limited (1,500 in Japan)
*Speed Yellow (same as Sunburst Yellow) (99 in Austria as 'Yellow', 500 in Germany and 50 in Switzerland as 'Sunracer', 300 in UK as 'California')
*Brilliant Black, Chaste White (same as White), Classic Red and Laguna Blue Metallic S-Special (Japan, color range 1993-95)

1996

*Brilliant Black, British Racing Green (Canada and Europe except UK), Classic Red, Montego Blue Mica, Sunburst Yellow (Europe), White
*Starlight Mica M-Edition (2,968 in USA)
*Merlot Pearl Clearcoat (same as Art Vin Red Mica and Mahogany Mica) VR-Limited Combination A (700 in Japan)
*Excellent Pearl Green Mica VR-Limited Combination B (800 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black, Chaste White (same as White), Classic Red, Laguna Blue Metallic and Montego Blue Mica S-Special Type 2 (Japan)
*Vin Rouge Mica (same as Merlot Mica) 'Merlot' (600 in UK, also in Europe)
*British Racing Green 'Monaco' (450 in UK)

1997

*Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Montego Blue Mica, Sunburst Yellow (Europe), White
*Marina Green Mica (3,000 in USA as M-Edition, less than 200 in Canada as Speedster Edition)
*Twilight Blue Mica (1,500 in USA, numbered with badge, as STO Limited Edition; 400 in UK, numbered with badge, as 'Dakar'; 1,000 in Japan, as B2-Limited)
*Chaste White (same as White) R2-Limited (500 in Japan)
*British Racing Green (800 in UK as 'Monza', 75 in Australia)
*Silver Stone Metallic 'Harvard' with Burgundy seats (500 in UK)
*Brilliant Black 'Classic' (400 in UK)

1998

*There was no standard model for model-year 1998.
*Excellent Green Mica VR-Special Type B (Japan)
*Sparkle Green Metallic and Chaste White (same as White) SR-Limited (700 in Japan)
*Sparkle Green Metallic 'Berkeley' (400 in UK, numbered with badge)

econd Generation (NB)

1999

*Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Emerald Mica a.k.a. Grace Green Mica, Evolution Orange Mica (not in USA, called Copper or Gold in some countries), Highlight Silver Metallic, Twilight Blue Mica, White
*Sapphire Blue Mica (called Innocent Blue in Japan) 10th Anniversary Model (7,500 worldwide)
*Classic Red 'Sport' (300 in UK)
*Twilight Blue Mica (200 in UK as Sport; 30 in Belgium and 400 in Switzerland as GTR, with white stripes and numbered with badge)

2000

*Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Emerald Mica, Evolution Orange Mica (called Copper or Gold in some countries), Highlight Silver Metallic, Twilight Blue Mica, White
*Mahogany Mica (same as Art Vin Red Mica) (3,000 in USA as Special Edition; 500 in Japan as NR-Limited; 750 in UK as 'Icon'; in New Zealand as Millennium 2000 Special Edition a.k.a. Miracle Edition)
*Unique Platinum Pearl 'Jasper Conran' (100 in UK)
*Brilliant Black Jasper Conran Special Edition (400 in UK)
*Sunburst Yellow 'California' (UK)
*Classic Red Isola Special Edition (500 in UK)

2001

* Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Crystal Blue Metallic, Emerald Mica, Midnight Blue Mica, Pure White, Sunlight Silver Metallic
*British Racing Green Special Edition (USA)
*Brilliant Black, Pure White or Sunlight Silver Metallic YS-Limited (700 in Japan)
*Sunburst Yellow web-tuned@Roadster (450 in Japan)

2002

*Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Crystal Blue Metallic, Emerald Mica, Laser Blue Mica, Midnight Blue Mica, Pure White, Sunlight Silver Metallic, Vivid Yellow (same as Sunburst Yellow)
*Blazing Yellow Mica Special Edition (250 in Canada, 1,000 in USA)
*Blazing Yellow Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic, and Classic Red 'Arizona' (135+135+80 in UK)
*Brilliant Black and Titanium Gray Metallic 'Phoenix' (1,200 in UK)
*Brilliant Black 'Trilogy' (333 in UK, numbered with badge, with silver-and-diamond key ring)
*Garnet Red Mica and British Racing Green 'Montana' (250+250 in UK)
*Titanium Gray Metallic (1,500 in USA; 300 in Japan as MV-Limited; also in Europe as Special Edition)
*Starry Blue (same as Laser Blue Mica) Mazdaspeed Special Edition (200 in Japan)
*SP Turbo (100 in Australia)

2003

*Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Emerald Mica, Garnet Red Mica, Midnight Blue Mica, Pure White, Splash Green Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic
*Cerion Silver Metallic (400 in Japan as SG-Limited; in Europe and Australia as Limited Edition Classic)
*Garnet Red Mica or Splash Green Mica VS (in Japan as Combination A and Combination B)
*Eternal Red or Sunlight Silver Metallic 'Angels' (175+325 in UK)
*Cerion Silver or Strato Blue Mica (called Indigo Blue Mica in Canada) 'Nevada' (1350+700 in UK)
*Strato Blue Mica Special Edition (1,500 in USA)
*Titanium Gray Shinsen Version (1,500 in USA)
*Classic Red or Pure White Club Sport Package (50 in USA)
*Garnet Red Mica 'Indiana' (250 in UK)

2004

*Black Cherry Mica (Radiant Ebony Mica in UK and Japan), Brilliant Black, Classic Red, Emerald Mica, Pure White, Strato Blue Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic
*Titanium Gray or Velocity Red Mazdaspeed (USA)
*Classic Red limited (350 in Japan)
*Blazing Yellow Mica (not confirmed), Classic Red, Pure White or Sunlight Silver Metallic Roadster Coupe (200 as Type A, 150 as Type B in Japan)
*Grace Green Mica (same as Emerald Mica), Pure White, Sunlight Silver Metallic or Velocity Red Mica Turbo (350 in Japan)
*Classic Red, Pure White or Sunlight Silver Metallic Type-S Coupe (Japan)
*Lightning Yellow (same as Blazing Yellow Mica) or Velocity Red Coupe (Japan; 200 Type-A, 150 Type-E)
*Brilliant Black, Titanium Gray Metallic, Velocity Red or Sunlight Silver Metallic (2000 in UK as 'Euphonic', 150 in Spain as 'Hit', 200 in France as 'Etna', in Germany as 'Unplugged', in Italy as 'Backstage')

2005

*Black Cherry Mica, Classic Red, Nordic Green Mica, Razor Blue Metallic, Sunlight Silver Metallic
*Black Mica, Lava Orange Mica, Titanium Gray or Velocity Red Mazdaspeed (USA)
*Razor Blue Metallic, Titanium Gray Metallic or Sunlight Silver Metallic 'Arctic' with blue seats and blue soft top (2,000 in UK)
*Black Mica, Chili Orange (same as Lava Orange), Titanium Gray Metallic or Sunlight Silver Metallic 'Icon' (UK)

Third Generation (NC)

2006

*Brilliant Black, Copper Red Mica, Galaxy Gray Mica, Marble White, Nordic Green (not Japan), Sunlight Silver Metallic, True Red, Winning Blue
*Velocity Red or Brilliant Black (not USA) 3rd-Generation Limited (3,500 worldwide of which 750 in USA, 300 in UK, 500 in Japan)
*Brilliant Black or Copper Red Mica Japan Car of the Year Award Commemorative Edition (Japan)

2007

*Brilliant Black, Copper Red Mica, Galaxy Gray, Highland Green, Marble White, Stormy Blue Metallic, Sunlight Silver, True Red
*Radiant Ebony Mica 'ZSport' (400 in UK)
*Radiant Ebony Mica or Highland Green 'Blaze' (Japan)
*Roadster Mazdaspeed M'z Tune (Japan)
*Copper Red Mica, Marble White or Stormy Blue Mica 'Icon' (UK)

2008

* Brilliant Black, Copper Red Mica, Galaxy Gray, Highland Green, Marble White, Stormy Blue Metallic, Sunlight Silver, True Red
* Sunlight Silver or Icy Blue Metallic 'Niseko' (800 in UK)
* Icy Blue Metallic Special Version (750 in US, 105 in Canada)
* (Any of the standard colors except Marble White) Prestige Edition (Japan)

Color Curiosities

From 1990 to 2008, the MX-5 left the factory in 50 different exterior paint colors. Combinations with soft top colors, interior colors and wheel designs would take this number into the hundreds.

Of those 50 colors, 16 were used exclusively in standard models, 20 were used exclusively in special editions, and 14 were used in standard models and special editions. One of the most popular colors, black, was introduced in 1992 only. From 1993 to 1998 (six years), only two new standard colors were introduced, both in 1994. The colors are grouped in tones of blue (15), followed by green (9), red (8), gray/silver (7), white (4), black (3), yellow and orange (2 each).

In late 1990, six experimental colors were applied at the factory for market test purposes in the USA. They were (unofficial names): Raspberry Metallic, Electric Blue Metallic, Pale Yellow Metallic, Teal Green Metallic, Ice Green Metallic, and Orange. (These colors have not been included in the count above.) One car of each was produced, although some report two Orange. The cars were subsequently sold to insiders of Mazda North America.

In 1991, a 24-Hour Le Mans special edition was made available in the UK, with a chequered green/orange paintwork identical to the rotary engine powered Mazda 787B GT that had won the 24 Hour race that year, the only Japanese car to ever do so. (This color scheme has not been included in the count above, as it was not applied at the factory.) Only 24 cars were made available, making this the rarest special edition. Due to the unusual paint scheme, at least 3 cars were repainted, one even before leaving the dealer.

At one time in the mid-90's, an individual in the USA was collecting one of each color or special edition, and had already spent over 500,000 dollars in the process with 20+ cars.

References

USA colors:
* [http://okcmiata.com Central Oklahoma Miata Club]
* [http://miata.net/gallery Miata.net Gallery]
* [http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/5361 Miatas in America] UK colors:
* [http://www.mx5-mazda.co.uk Bourne Road Garage] Japanese Colors:
* [http://www.dandycars.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions/Japanese_Special_Editions_%28NA_1989-1997%29.htm Dandycars.com Japanese NA NB NC Model Guide]

External links

* [http://mx5gallery.net Mx5gallery.net Picture gallery of Miata MX-5 sorted by colors]

ee also

* Mazda MX-5 10th Anniversary Model
* Mazda MX-5
* Mazda