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Thanks to one of Carscoop's commentators, we can now show you a video of Top Gear's trio of power obsessed presenters -that would be Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond- filming an episode in the Holy Land. As noted in our previous article with the scoop pictures, the cars of choice for Top Gear's latest escapade, are a trio of older generation roadster models - the BMW Z3, Mazda MX-5 and Fiat Barchetta.

There's also a guy with a white racing helmet driving what looks like an old Suzuki Alto, but we're not sure if he's part of the Top Gear crew or if some fans of the show decided to make fun of The Stig. As always, any help with the translation, would be welcome. Watch the video after the jump.

Hat tip to 'Mako'!

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The crew from Top Gear [the original, not the US clone that some are persistently trying to shove down our throat - we get it, it's coming...], was snagged chilling at the border between Israel and Jordan.

According to one of our tipsters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond drove their specially modified BMW Z3, Fiat Barchetta and Mazda MX-5 roadsters from Jordan to Israel and their next stop will be at the Golan Heights and at Nazareth. Maybe we'll get some new photos from the shoot, but for now, enjoy some high-res pics after the jump.

Hat tip to Ran!

Source: Hwzone

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The most popular roadster of all time, the Mazda MX-5 (otherwise known as the Miata), has achieved yet another milestone by surpassing the 100,000 sales mark in the UK, some twenty years after its first arrived in the country in 1990.

The rear-wheel drive roadster, now in its third generation, has enjoyed consistent sales success in the UK with almost 40 percent of European sales coming from British buyers. Furthermore, since launch, the MX-5's sales in the UK account for over 10% of cumulative global sales.

"The legendary Mazda MX-5 is the car most people associate with Mazda," said Mark Cameron, sales director, Mazda UK. "To hit 100,000 sales in the UK is a significant milestone for Mazda. We are the biggest market for this car due to our love of open-top two seat sportscars. The Mazda MX-5 finds its roots in the British heritage of soft top sportscars and has been loved by British motorists since the day it arrived on these shores," Cameron concluded.

The all-time high record in UK sales was set in 2007, with 9,234 examples of the MX-5 roadster finding new homes that year.

Japan's most notorious replica maker, Mitsuoka, has just released another special edition version of its Mazda MX-5-based Himiko roadster. This time, Mitsuoka has crafted a rag-top variant of the Himico Classic Edition, which was available up until now only with a power-retractable roof.

The soft-top model gets the same two-tone, black and red exterior color scheme with a decorative chrome strip running on the sides, as the hardtop Himiko Classic HT. Inside, the stock MX-5 interior is spruced up with red-leather seats and splashes of ornamental wood trim here and there.

The long-nose roadster, which pays homage to classic British automobiles like Morgan's creations, is available with the MX-5's 2.0-liter four-banger producing 170HP when linked to a five-speed manual and 162HP when combined to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Production will be limited to 20 examples with prices starting from ¥4,880,000 (about US$56,500 or €43,400) in Japan.

Source: Mitsuoka , Via: es.Autoblog.com

Borrowing its name from a Japanese holiday island, the Mazda MX-5 'Miyako' is the latest special edition version of the successful roadster to make its way to British showrooms this year.

On sale from July 1 in a limited number of 500 units, the new MX-5 Miyako is available in two flavors, the 126HP 1.8i Miyako soft-top priced at £18,385 OTR and the more powerful 160HP 2.0i Miyako roadster coupe with a folding hardtop priced at £20,885 OTR.

The Miyako gets larger 17-inch alloy wheels, standard fog lamps and a front suspension strut brace for improved steering response. Both versions of the MX-5 Miyako will be available in Aluminium Silver Metallic, while the soft-top will also be offered in Velocity Red Mica -all free of charge.

Interior upgrades include Medici premium perforated black leather trim with a red underlay and stitching, special badging, floor mats and standard climate control air-conditioning.

Mazda has released the -we’ve lost count of how many- special edition of the Miata or as others know it, MX-5 Roadster. Based on the Miata RHT with the electric folding hardtop, the “Prestige Edition” will only be available in the Japanese market. Highlights of the special edition version include the heated black leather bucket seats, the 17-inch aluminum forged alloy wheels by BBS, and the stainless steel scuff plates and front fog lights. -Continued after the jump

Additionally, a front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type) and Mazda’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system which are standard in the version with the 6-speed manual gearbox are added to the six-speed automatic transmission (AT) model. According to Mazda, prices for the Prestige Edition start at 2,950,000 yen ($25,650 or €18,050) for the six-speed manual transmission model and 3,050,000 yen ($26,500 or €18,650) for the six-speed automatic transmission model.

Main features of the Mazda Roadster Prestige Edition

Base models

Roadster Power Retractable hard Top RS RHT (six-speed manual transmission version) and VS RHT (six-speed automatic transmission version).

Special equipment

- Exclusive heated bucket seats with black genuine leather upholstery and door trim
The high quality, refined leather bucket seats are exquisitely crafted and highlighted with bold grey stitching. The seats enhance the black interior design and match every body color.

- Driver’s side ratchet lever seat lifter

A lever on the side of the driver’s seat can be used to adjust the seat height by 30 mm.

- Exclusive 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels forged by BBS Japan Co. Ltd.

The alloy wheels combine ruggedness and refinement and have a highly reflective chrome finish for maximum impact. The forged aluminium also contributes to improved driving performance by reducing vehicle weight and increasing rigidity.

- Exclusive stainless steel scuff plates

The glossy stainless steel enhances the quality of the door surrounds.

- Front fog lights (clear type) with black bezels

- Front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type)

Specially added to the six-speed automatic transmission model. It is standard equipment for the 6-speed manual transmission base modl.

- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system

Specially added to the six-speed automatic transmission model. It is available for the six-speed manual transmission base model as a factory-installed option.

Body Colors

A range of seven body colors is available to choose from.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Roadster Prestige Edition

Model	Engine	Transmission	Price (yen)
			With tax	Without tax
Prestige Edition	2.0L DOHC	6-speed MT	2,950,000	2,809,524
		6-speed AT	3,050,000	2,904,762

-A separate recycling fee of 10,600 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above (for the optional SRS side airbag system, the fee is 10,910 yen).

Changes to the Roadster RHT base model

- The driver’s side ratchet lever seat lifter (featured on the Prestige Edition) is newly available as a factory installed option.

Here at Carscoop we just l-o-v-e replicas and thank the Motor-Gods, there’s plenty of them out there. Our latest scavenge bought to our attention our second Miata replica, the M1stang, or better call it the Miata Stang. The man behind Mustang Replica is custom car builder and Stang enthusiast Bill Carnes. Practically, every single exterior component of the Miata -apart from the windshield frame and the roof top, is replaced with new steel body panels that are shortened and welded or bolted to the chassis. The base conversion price starts at $12.999 plus tax (€9.500) and doesn’t include painting and interior mods. The kit can be used on all previous gen Miatas (1990-2005). –Click “Read More…” for the image gallery

Technorati: Mazda+MX-5, Miata, Ford+Mustang, Replica, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Via: m1stang