Its not blind luck that the Mazda MX-5 has become the world's most popular sportscar. It combines the kind of thrills you'd expect to find in a car costing three times as much in an affordable and practical package.

And that's just the kind of car we love in Britain – even if we don’t have the weather to make use of the MX-5's folding roof.

But with criticism that the third generation felt a little too grown up, Mazda has given the MX-5 a mid-life touch-up, which includes suspension to make it more of a driver-focused car. Stuart Milne travelled to Italy to find out if it has worked.

The Mazda MX-5 is one of our favourite cars. And with a relatively affordable price tag and one of the best chassis in the business, it's not hard to see why.

We were bowled over again when we first drove the third generation of the world's most popular sportscar series, but we couldn't help feeling that while it was more refined than before, it had lost a little of its cheeky driver charm.

And Mazda's engineers clearly took this kind of feedback on board, and went back to the original ethos of Jinba Ittai – oneness between car and driver.

And in the 2009 Mazda MX-5 facelift, it really makes sense.

We tested the Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport, which comes with stiffened Bilstein suspension, and really makes a difference on the bends. Turn in seems much crisper, and there's very little bodyroll. And the new front end bodywork treatment is said to provide more high speed downforce, no doubt helping further.

But even with this new suspension – which is only available on the Sport and Powershift models – very little of the ride quality has been lost, although it's still a sportscar, and still firm.

Mazda has also paid attention to the suspension setup on all models, and claims to have improved the way it deals with power through the outer wheel when cornering, making for sharper steering. Even with the non Bilstein-equipped cars, it feels more alive than the pre-facelift car.

Another significant change is the addition of a semi-automatic gearbox. Although it's dubbed Powershift, it bears no relation to the identically-named unit found in several Fords.

It’s the first time such a gearbox has been offered in the Mazda MX-5, and around 10 per cent of buyers are expected to choose the self-shifter.

The Mazda MX-5's appearance has been given a nip and tuck to follow the company's corporate look. It has new bumpers and lights front and rear, and although quite subtle add up to a more modern look.

Inside there have been a number of small tweaks, most noticeably a rev counter that features a 7,500rpm redline, reflecting the fact the 158bhp 2-litre model revs 500rpm higher than the old model. This engine is also fitted with an Induction Sound Enhancer for an improved engine note too.

Two engines are available, with a choice of five- or six-speed manuals or the six-speed Powershift auto.

Both engines have been tuned to improve fuel consumption by up to eight per cent and reduce emissions by up to seven per cent. This means the 1.8 covers 40.4mpg – up from 38.7mpg, while emissions are down from 174g/km to 167g/km.

Performance ranges from a 0-62mph time of 7.6 for the 2-litre, to 9.9 for the 1.8. Powershift equipped cars cover the same marker in 8.5 seconds. Top speeds are 131mph for the 2-litre manual and 120mph for the others.

Every model in the range features alloys, leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake and an MP3-compatible audio system with an input jack and iPod connection. The 2-litre models also feature stability and traction control, a limited slip differential and side airbags.

Sport models add 17-inch alloys, Bilstein dampers, front suspension bracing, heated leather seats, climate control, cruise control and a Bose stereo with 6-disc changer, seven speakers and Bluetooth connectivity. But despite the additional kit, the new car weighs the same as the old one.

So have the change kept the Mazda MX-5 as one of our favourite cars?

Making the MX-5 that little bit more focussed is just the tonic to make it the comfortable alternative to a Lotus Elise.

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