TO help drivers overcome the winter gloom, Mazda has come up with not one but two edition MX-5 Niseko models (roadster coupe and soft top), named after Japan's most prestigious skiing resort.

Available from £17,995, the Niseko offers up to £2,000 worth of additional or exclusive extras over and above the equivalent standard models.

Special exterior features include unique design 17-inch alloy wheels, unique body-colour finish for the style bar trim, front fog lamps.

There is also a Chrome Pack (door handles and headlamp bezels, and surrounds for the side-repeaters, front grille and fog lamps) and special edition Niseko badging on each front wing, plus a unique dark brown premium cloth for the fabric roof (soft-top only).

Inside, both Niseko models feature unique dark brown heated leather seats with co-ordinated door trim and icy blue stitching, plus dark brown leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake.

They are also equipped with a dark-silver dash panel, stainless-steel scuff plates and Niseko-branded luxury interior mats, with a suspension strut tower bracing bar beneath the bonnet.

These items are in addition to the standard third generation MX-5 specification of; MP3-compatible radio/single CD player with six-speaker audio system, climate control air-conditioning, stainless-steel scuff plates, twin chrome exhaust tail pipes and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

Niseko owners will also enjoy a degree of exclusivity as production of this latest Mazda MX-5 model will be restricted. Just 240 examples of the Mazda MX-5 1.8i Niseko soft-top and 560 units of the MX-5 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe will be made available in the UK.

Both the entry-level 1.8i Niseko soft-top (126bhp, five-speed manual transmission) and the £19,995 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe (160bhp, six-speed manual transmission) are available in an exclusive new bespoke colour Icy Blue metallic, as well as Sunlight Silver metallic - for no additional charge.