Hot on the heels of its successes on and off the track last year, MG Rover's immediate successor to the best-selling UK sportscar the MGF, comes the MGTF.

It is in UK showrooms six months earlier than originally planned and I had a brief go in one, courtesy of Swindon Automobiles.

Styled by MG Rover Group's design team. It has evolved from the popular MGF and features a new exterior appearance, an all-new suspension design, higher performance engines and a host of new paint, trim and hood colours.

Key changes are in the body shape, with front, side and rear styling and aerodynamic improvements, and headlights that incorporate projector and direction indicator lamps.

The car has a new suspension; multi-link rear axle with precise kinematics control; coil springs replace the interconnected Hydragas system, and solidly-mounted subframes which has improved the handling no end.

How often one hears you can't improve on an established winner. With the MGTF it is not true.

There is a greater choice of paint colours, interior trims and optional hood colours for the model, as well as contemporary interior treatment, with new fabrics and revised instrumentation, all of which will make more people keen on buying one.

While sticking with its K Series engines, the new car offers higher performance values.

Rob Oldaker, MG Rover Group's product development director, said: "The MGF has proved to be an amazing success having dominated its sector for the past six-years.

"The introduction of the new MGTF will enhance this popularity further.

"I have no doubt that the TF, with its fresh new design style, new suspension with revised rear linkage geometry and a rich choice of feature specification and colour will produce even more exhilaration and retain MG's sales' pole position."

Well, he's right there.

The new car's less accented upward sweep to the rear will please people who like more classical lines, but may well niggle others who feel the more futuristic design of the MGF has been dropped, possibly to cater for North American markets.

The TF, like many cars trying to establish more positive branding, has a larger front grille aperture and MG badge.

And to remind one of days gone by when one or more large exhaust pipe usually meant a pretty fruity sound, there are larger exhaust pipes, neatly encompassed by the rear bumper housing.

The headlamp units now incorporate projector lamps and direction indicator and the boot lid has a new shape integral aero spoiler and high-mounted LED stop-lamp.

As well as a variety of colours and colour hoods, there are choices of 16in alloy wheels, including an optional ultra-lightweight on the TF160 .

Four models now give a progressive range of performance, power and specification.

Designated by numbers close to their power output, the four-model range comprises the 1.6-litre TF115, the 1.8-litre TF135, the TF120 Stepspeed sports auto and the range-topping TF160.

The new TF incorporates a number of substantial changes, which include a new suspension design.

A completely new suspension utilises coil springs, to produce a responsive and involving set-up. The entire suspension and ABS brake systems have been enhanced.

Since its launch in 1995, 77,000 MGFs have been produced, with more than 40,000 sales in the UK making it Britain's best selling car in the sports sector for the past six years.

The TF is bound to do well wherever it is on sale priced at £15,585 for the entry level model going up to £19,830. This is a car for enthusiasts and first-time sports drivers alike.

Summary: Affordable and fun, that is the key, and the MGTF has it all.