MAZDA is on the brink of providing a new five-star choice for company car drivers and fleet operators.

A new low emissions diesel-engined version of the recently launched Mazda5 multi activity vehicle arrives in January, at which point the Japanese car maker will be offering a comprehensive five-model range.

The seven-seat Mazda5 has arrived in UK showrooms with the option of 1.8-litre 115PS and 2.0-litre 150PS petrol engines - and a 1.6-litre 115PS turbodiesel will complete the line-up in January.

Mazda's fleet and remarketing director Peter Allibon said: "With the arrival of the Mazda5 diesel we will be offering fleets a complete five-model range - Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6 and CX-7 topped by the iconic MX-5.

"It is a huge step forward from where Mazda was just four years ago when only the Mazda6 could be described as meeting the demands of fleet operators and company car drivers.

"Now, rather than a single car Mazda is able to offer businesses a complete fleet solution from an urban supermini through to load-carriers required by high-mileage reps and on to lifestyle vehicles for user-choosers."

The Mazda5 range includes the 1.8 TS model priced at £17,695, the 2.0 TS at £18,895 and the 1.6D Sport £21,495.

Most popular company car in the brand's range is the Mazda6 which accounts for more than half of the marque's core fleet sales.

And sales of the Mazda2 supermini are expected to receive a boost following the recent unveiling of the upgraded range, which sees improvements in fuel economy of up to two percent and a CO emissions improvement of up to 4.8 percent. The nine-model line-up costs from £9,995 for the 1.3 TS Air Con.

Allibon added: "Fleet decision-makers and company car drivers want stylish cars that are reliable and cost-effective to operate with low emissions and first-class fuel economy.

"Mazda is delivering all of those credentials across its model range giving fleet operators low cost of ownership figures and company car drivers' wallet-friendly company car tax bills while at the wheel of highly-specced cars."