MG's new roadster, the MGTF, has roared on to the roads as the successor to Britain's best selling MGF sports car.

Styled by MG Rover Group designer Peter Stevens, the TF has evolved from the popular MGF and features a new exterior appearance, an all-new suspension design, higher performance engines and new paint, trim and hood colours.

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 last six years. "The introduction of the new MGTF will enhance this popularity further. I have no doubt that the new 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."

MG said the aggressive and purposeful style of the MGTF is sleeker and sportier, with a lower stance made possible by the inclusion of a new front bumper formed for aerodynamic performance, a larger front grille aperture and MG badge, a rear bumper housing larger exhaust pipes, headlamp units incorporating projector lamps and direction indicator, new shape mid-engine air-intakes and a boot lid with integral aero spoiler and high-mounted LED stop-lamp.

The new model will come in four versions, designated by numbers close to their power output -- the 1.6-litre TF115, the 1.8-litre TF135, the TF120 Stepspeed sports auto and the range-topping TF160.