Mazda is introducing its first-ever special edition of its RX-8, priced at £23,900 on-the-road.

Dubbed the ‘RX-8 Evolve’ the new model is named after the original concept car seen at the Detroit Motor Show in 2000 on which the original RX-8 was based.

The Evolve is powered by a 229bhp engine and comes with a choice of two colours, copper red mica and phantom blue mica.

Specification includes dark silver 18 x 8J alloy wheels, ‘dark silver’ bezel headlamps, sports door mirrors, polished aluminium side air outlet fins, chrome exhaust surrounds and ‘Evolve’ badging.

Mazda will produce 500 units of the Evolve, which will reach UK showrooms later this month.