MAZDA has launched a new special edition of its perennially popular MX-5 sports car, limited to just 500 cars and called the Sport Graphite. Available only with the folding hard-top roof, which is painted Meteor Grey whichever of the four body colours is ordered, buyers have a choice of a 124bhp 1.8-litre petrol or a 158bhp 2.0-litre, with prices starting at £20,995. Every Sport Graphite model will have 17-inch dark gunmetal alloy wheels, black leather heated seats with unique grey stitching, a 5.8-inch TomTom navigation system with integrated Bluetooth, glossy dark grey 'fashion bars', the hard-top roof and door mirrors all in Meteor Grey, and limited edition badges throughout.
The car also brings with it stainless steel scuff plates, body-coloured door handles, side, driver and passenger airbags, a CD radio with an auxiliary jack and six speakers, electric windows, electric adjustable mirrors with heating function and climate control. Keen drivers will want the 2.0-litre car but not just for its extra power. It's fitted as standard with a limited-slip differential, cruise control and Bilstein suspension, all of which the 1.8 does without. Each Mazda dealer is offering the first buyer of the Mazda MX-5 'Sport Graphite', a signed limited copy graphite pencil drawing of the car. Drawn for Mazda by Scottish hyperrealist artist Paul Cadden, each drawing recreates photos or stills in amazing detail using only a graphite pencil.