The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a living legend. It's still going after four generations and offers everything a sports car should, including an exciting engine, a great gearbox, handsome looks, and a relatively affordable price tag. Now, it's getting a new color that lends an understated handsomeness to the body.The Miata has been available in a few shades of green over the years, including a couple of special editions in British Racing Green in addition to the striking shade Marina Green Mica. Given that the 1960s Lotus Elan from England is a major inspiration for the Miata, it only makes sense for Mazda to offer the car in hues that connect to this lineage. Zinc Green Metallic is the newest verdant shade to cover the sports car – something fans have been asking for. It's still not quite the vibrant green that enthusiasts crave, but it's at least a step in the right direction. The Zinc Green Metallic Mazda Miata MazdaBoth the Miata soft top and the RF, with a retractable hardtop, are getting the Zinc Green Metallic color option. Then, Mazda plans to introduce the shade to additional models, specifically citing its SUVs. The company describes the shade as "a modern green that combines toughness and refinement, creating a strong presence while harmonizing seamlessly with both natural landscapes and urban settings." It's a statistic we rarely hear, but Mazda touts that there are over 80 shades of green in the brand's history.According to Mazda, Zinc Green Metallic takes inspiration from zinc chromate primer, which is a protective paint that often comes in distinctive shades of green, yellow, and blue. In the Miata, the shade mixes tones of green and light gray with bluish metallic flakes, which keeps the car looking fairly understated. The subtle appearance doesn't scream for attention, especially with the black wheels and light silver roof on the car in the press photo.According to the company, more information about the shade's availability will be available later this year.It's not yet clear whether Zinc Green Metallic would be part of the Miata's standard color lineup or a premium shade. We expect that buyers would have to pay to get this hue. Currently, the car is available with an array of optional paint schemes for $595, including Aero Gray Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, and Machine Gray Metallic. Keeping Up With The Miata MazdaThe Miata is currently deep in its fourth generation, known by the internal designation ND. The model launched for the 2016 model year in the US and has received several updates to keep it fresh. There was an engine upgrade for the 2019 model that gave the sports car more power. Styling upgrades and an improved infotainment system arrived for 2024.Mazda execs are already talking about the next-gen Miata. "We know that we need to make sure the fundamental concept of the MX-5 appeals to its fans, because this car is a brand icon," said Mazda General Manager of Global Sales Manabu Osuga. He also said the goal was for the car to weigh less than 2,205 pounds – an ambitious goal given current safety regulations. For context, the Miata currently weighs a minimum of 2,366 pounds.Mazda is also aiming to keep the Miata combustion-only. To meet the ambitious weight goal, a hybrid system would add too much mass. However, the automaker's Skyactiv-Z powerplant family reportedly runs clean enough to achieve the project's goal.