2016 Mazda MX-5 production has begun; here's what it'll cost

WE DON’T NORMALLY REPORT START-OF-PRODUCTION NEWS, BUT WE’LL MAKE AN EXCEPTION HERE

  According to Mazda, U.S.-bound 2016 MX-5 production has begun in Japan. We presume the 1,000 Launch Edition cars headed stateside will be among the first to roll out of the Hiroshima factory -- better get that $500 deposit ready to go, as pre-orders begin May 5.

   The automaker says new Miatas will arrive in dealerships “starting late summer.” Must be one heck of a long assembly line. We can’t wait -- Euro-spec cars are already fun, and we're eager to discover what the more-powerful U.S.-spec cars can do. 155 horses is a lot to play with when you’ve only got 2,332 to drag around.

   In addition to this happy news about Miata production, Mazda has also filled in the gaps in the 2016 MX-5 pricing structure. The basic Sport package starts at $25,735 and gets you 16-inch wheels and cloth seats.

   At $29,420, Club adds 17-inch wheels, an air dam, a rear lip spoiler and a 7-inch infotainment screen; for $3,400, you can add forged 17-inch BBS wheels, Brembo front brakes and an aero kit.

  Grand Touring gets leather-trimmed heated seats and lots of entertainment and safety tech for $30,885.

   The limited Launch Edition is perched above that at $32,390, but in edition to the exclusivity, you also get everything from the Grand Touring trim plus exciting Miata apparel and some Bluetooth speakers.

   All prices include the $820 destination charge; you can add an automatic transmission to any of the above models, including the Launch Edition, for $1,075.