A new special edition of the Mazda MX-5 goes on sale next month. The MX-5 Kuro takes some of Mazda’s current racing programs as its inspiration for a new styling package, such as the MX-5 GT4 contesting in the 2012 British GT Championship.

Mazda MX-5 Kuro Edition

Mazda MX-5 Kuro Edition

For those fluent in Japanese the name Kuro gives a clue to the theme. If your Japanese is as bad as mine the word means black, and that’s exactly what the Kuro adds to the MX-5’s curves. A black roof and door mirrors and a set of dark gunmetal 17-inch alloys contrast with two of the paint colours – Velocity Red Mica and Crystal White Pearlescent. Alternatively, you can go for the full ‘Kuro’ look with Brilliant Black paint.

Mazda MX-5 Kuro Edition

There’s a choice of 1.8-litre with a soft-top or 2.0-litre coupe with hard top

The Kuro models are based on the MX-5 SE and Sport Tech models and can be ordered as either a 1.8 soft-top or a 2.0 hard-top. Upgrades include a restyled rear bumper under which nestles a fatter sports exhaust, new graphics inspired by the racers, some black detailing around the front grille and fog lights, plus a few ‘Kuro Edition’ badges.

On the inside the MX-5 Kuro gets treated to a makeover that includes heated leather seats, matching door inserts with contrasting red stitching, alloy pedals and climate control air-conditioning.

Only 200 of the soft-top Kuro models and 400 of the hard-top coupe will go on sale, priced at £18,495 and £21,995 respectively.

1.8i Soft-Top 2.0i Coupe
Power: 126 PS 160 PS
Torque: 167 Nm 188 Nm
0-62mph: 9.9 sec 7.9 sec
Top Speed: 121 mph 136 mph
Combined mpg: 39.8 mpg 36.2 mpg
Mazda MX-5 Kuro Edition Interior

Kuro interior adds leather with red stitching and matching air vents