THE coupe convertible version of Mazda's MX-5 sports car will be available in the UK from next spring priced from £22,195.

Six models make up the line up and will include a limited run, high specification Launch Edition, priced from £28,995 and restricted to only 500 vehicles.

The MX-5 RF, or retractable fastback, will be powered by the same 1.5 and 2.0-litre engines as in the award-winning MX-5 roadster which went on sale last year.

Apart from a 5mm increase in height to accommodate the retractable metal roof, the MX-5 RF is the same size as the soft top.

Performance data has yet to be released but will be similar to that of the roadster.

All versions will be fitted with LED headlights, air conditioning and sat nav while the 2.0-litre models have a limited slip differential as standard to enhance the 160ps power output.

The Launch Edition cars, which have the higher powered engine, come with a twin-tone colour scheme for the roof, gloss black door mirrors and a black rear spoiler.

They will also be fitted with alcantara trim and Recaro sports seats and will be available with red or grey paint finishes which are a £670 option on the regular models.

Other equipment fitted to the limited edition cars includes blind spot monitors and rear cross traffic alerts.

An automatic MX-5 RF will also be available in top grade Sport Nav trim and priced from £27,095.

The MX-5 RF's retractable hardtop consists of front, middle and rear roof sections, and a rear screen.

When the top is lowered the front and middle portions are stowed together, while the rear glass sits behind the seats, leaving the rear roof section in place to create a sleek, speedster-like profile.

The MX-5, which is the current holder of the UK Car of the Year and World Car of the Year titles, is the world's best-selling roadster and has notched up more than 120,000 sales in Britain since it first arrived back in 1990.

The new RF, which carries a premium of some £2,100 over similar specification MX-5 roadsters, will be available only in SE-L Nav and Sport Nav grades with the latter costing from £24,795 for the 1.5-litre 131ps version and £25,695 for the 2.0-litre.

It will be on sale from March 4 with first deliveries expected in May.