CHICAGO — While the Chicago Auto Show was light on redesigned models and concepts, a healthy display of anniversary and special edition models was spread across McCormick Place's spacious show floor.
From a hulking, body-on-frame SUV to a small two-seat sports car to minivans, there was a wide spectrum of exclusive colors and trims shining under the bright lights. Here's a look at some of the special editions from the Windy City show.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th-anniversary edition
Automotive history buffs will recall that the original Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago show. To celebrate the milestone, Mazda brought the 30th anniversary edition of the iconic two-seater to this year’s show. Previous anniversary Miatas have been finished in a special paint, and the 2019 iteration is no different, with Racing Orange as the color of choice. Orange is found inside and outside the sports car, which will be available in either soft-top or the RF hardtop model. The anniversary edition also adds aluminum wheels, Recaro seats and Brembo brakes. Mazda is set to build 3,000 vehicles globally, with the U.S. getting 500 this summer. Mazda noted that the amount allocated for the U.S. was fully reserved in four hours.
2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition
Updates to Toyota’s iconic Land Cruiser don’t happen all that often. The 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition packs noticeable changes inside and out. The Heritage Edition adds bronze 18-inch wheels with a “Toyota” center cap, throwback Land Cruiser exterior badges, darkened headlight housings and bronze contrast stitching inside. But the limited edition is more notable for what it doesn’t include. There is no third row, which is unique to the Heritage Edition and is an optional trait that the Lexus LX 570 sibling picked up last year. Additionally, Toyota removed the running boards and chrome lower body side moldings. The Heritage Edition will be available in the U.S. only and will be limited to 1,200 vehicles. It is set to arrive in the summer.
2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 with Mopar accessories
Ram used the Chicago show to demonstrate just how much customization is possible for the heavy-duty truck, fresh off its Detroit auto show debut in January, with Mopar parts and accessories. Outfitted in Blue Streak, FCA added a powder-coated “Ram Bar” in the bed complete with 5-inch LED off-road lights as well as wheel flares from the Mopar accessory catalog. It also added what it called “conceptual products,” including off-road rock rails, 17-inch custom beadlock wheels and a rear spare tire carrier in the bed.
2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia
By far the most limited of the special editions debuting in Chicago, just 15 of the 2020 4C Spider Italia cars will be built, Alfa Romeo says. Those 15 customers will get the two-seater in Misano Blue Metallic, a vibrant color not available on other 4Cs. Other design touches include the front intake and rear diffuser in Piano Black, exterior graphics and even a numbered plate on the center console as a reminder of which of the 15 is being driven.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Grand Caravan 35th-anniversary editions
The Chrysler Pacifica is obviously not celebrating its 35th anniversary, but Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager with its current minivans, the Pacifica and Dodge Grand Caravan. On the Pacifica, the anniversary edition adds an exterior badge and Chrysler logo in Liquid Chrome. The black interior gets Cranberry Wine accent stitching and nappa leather seats. Meanwhile, the Grand Caravan 35th anniversary edition gets 17-inch wheels, a fender badge and the same red stitching inside as well.
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