According to company insiders, the next generation Mazda3 - a more stylish family hatchback - is ready to go into production and will be launched before the end of the year.

Planned to build on the global success of the outgoing car, its designers have chosen an imposing, aggressive design for the front end of the 3. And to add further to its positive stance on our roads, the new car also gets more pronounced wheel arches. And walk round the back and you’ll notice funky tail lamps echo those found on the new Mazda6.

The Los Angeles Motor Show in November will see the unveiling of a four-door saloon version of the new 3, while the five-door hatchback 3 launches a months later at the Bologna Show in Italy. While the 3’s current range of 1.4 to 2.0-litre petrol engines will be carried over to the new car, diesel engines will be strong sellers, particularly in Europe. It’s expected that upgraded versions of the existing 1.6 and 2.0-litre oil burners will offer a more economical, refined drive.

We’ll get the first look of the next-generation Mazda3 during the early months of next year.