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A fresh face in line with the company's new 'family' look identifies the face-lifted Mazda 121 Metro models which go on-sale in March.

The highly space-efficient small car now features Mazda's distinctive 'five point' grille with floating emblem, sculptured bonnet as well as mildly re-styled headlamps.

Front and rear bumpers have been revised along with the rear combination lamp clusters, and roof rails have been added to the 1.5 litre model.

Completing the external makeover, three distinctive new colours - Innocent Blue, Astria Green and Glacial Silver - have been added to the range.

The dashboard layout has been revised and restyled on both models with the 1.5 featuring a two-tone "light grey/dark grey" finish. Colours for the steering wheel, seats, floor coverings as well as side and roof trims have also been freshened.

The 121 Metro model continues to be offered with a choice of 1.5 litre and 1.3 litre SOHC multi point fuel injected four cylinder engines which are mounted transversely and drive the front wheels.

Both offer a choice of manual or automatic transmissions with the 1.3 litre 'auto' now the same 4 speed EAT type fitted to the 1.5 litre version.

The 1.5-litre B5 engine generates maximum power of 64 kW at 5,500 rpm and torque of 128 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Equipped with manual transmission this model consumes 8.0 litres/100km in the city and 6.4 litres/100km on the highway mode while the >auto= uses 8.6 litres/100 km in the city and 6.8 litres/100km in the respective modes.

The 1.3-litre (B3) engine delivers maximum power of 53 kW at 5,500 rpm and torque of 107.3 Nm (DIN) at 3,000 r.p.m, and fuel consumption figures are: 7.0 litres/100 km, city and 5.4 litres/100 km, highway; automatic: 7.9 litres/100km, city, and 6.2 litres/100km, highway.

The 121's tall and compact body offers a multi-use interior space which can accommodate four adults in complete comfort. All seats can be slid back and forth, or reclined and by folding the rear seat down, a large luggage space is created.

The 121 Metro's slide/reclining mechanism allows the rear seat to be moved back and forth over 160 mm. With two children in the back seat - which sits higher then the front seats to provide excellent visibility - it can be moved all the way to provide a very large luggage space in the back. By moving the seats all the way back, enough legroom is created for a large adult. The seats can also be fully reclined.

For two people with lots of luggage, perhaps three with sporting items such as golf sticks or Aboogie boards@ the 121's double folding and split folding features allow the interior to be configured accordingly. The rear seat can be Adouble-folded@ all the way forward, creating a flat luggage space ideal for outdoor leisure items and equipment.

One of Mazda Australia's important core products, the 121 Metro achieved over 4000 sales in 1999 with the facelift model expected to increase the annual tally.

National sales manager Doug Dickson said the Metro remained one of the most versatile small cars on the market.

"The car has 'multiple personalities' to suit a wide variety of needs whether it's to transport people, their belongings, their pets, their sporting equipment or 'whatever'," he said.

"And in a world where the demand for vehicles which respond to lifestyle requirements is growing, the 121 remains pre-eminent in its class"

Prices for the 121 Metro range are:

The Metro is protected by Mazda's 3 year/unlimited Kilometre Warranty.