Upgraded Mazda MX-5 on sale from April

The upgraded Mazda MX-5 and MX-5 Roadster Coupe will be on sale from April 1st.

The eight-strong range of sportscars will range from £16,345 to £21,695 on the road.

The upgraded models will have a choice of four powertrains, with the modifications resulting in significantly lower CO2 and enhanced fuel consumption.

Mark Cameron, sales director Mazda Motors UK, said: "The latest exterior, interior and technical upgrades to the 2009 Mazda MX-5 range will ensure that the soft-top will continue to offer the purest, fun-to-drive thrills, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe adds to those thrills with an even more coupe-like and premium experience.

"Both models carry-over the key features which have made the Mazda MX-5 the world's best-selling sportscar. Today, they are unrivalled as rewarding sportscars that can also be used for everyday motoring all year round, with excellent heating and ventilation, plus high-performance audio systems - and the whole sportscar ownership experience is supported by Mazda's legendary reliability and durability."

The new PowerShift transmission delivers an even more sporty drive for the Mazda MX-5, with gear changes achieved by operating the paddles behind the steering wheel.

The 2009 upgrade means that every MX-5 comes with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake, plus an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary input jack for MP3 and iPod connection.

Sport models, priced from £19,695, are equipped with new 17-inch alloy wheels, uprated Bilstein dampers, a front suspension strut bracing bar, a six-speed manual transmission, front fog lamps and heated leather seats.

New specification additions include climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a premium BOSE audio system with six-CD changer and seven speakers, and Bluetooth technology with voice recognition for hands-free telephoning.

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe range starts at £18,345, and carries a £2,000 premium over the soft-top models. Designed and engineered by Mazda, the powered retractable hard top is the world's fastest top-up or top-down, in just 12 seconds.

A choice of seven body colours will be available - including two new colours (Aluminium Silver Metallic and Metropolitan Grey Mica).

The security additions, including a 'Thatcham 1' alarm and immobiliser, together with the overall costs of crash repair, mean the insurance groups for the upgraded Mazda MX-5 range are likely to remain equally competitive.