Here are the pictures...

Here are the pictures that prove ò€˜3ò€™ is the magic number at Mazda. This is the firmò€™s all-new Ford Focus rival, which will be revealed in saloon guise for the first time at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November.

Competing in the fierce compact family car market, the Mazda 3 will go up against the forthcoming new Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf MkVI and, of course, the Focus. Needless to say, itò€™s a hugely important car in the range ò€“ so the model has been improved in every way to keep it on terms with the best in the class.

As with its bigger Mazda 6 brother, the 3 gets a stylish body ò€“ one that mixes cues from the 6 with those of the RX-8. At the front, the sports coupéò€™s influence can be seen in the prominent wings, as well as the headlights and the nose.

Elsewhere, the newcomer resembles a scaled-down 6, particularly in profile and at the back. However, Mazda has developed the design with some dished surfaces and a venturi-style rear bumper, which was last used on the previous-generation 6 MPS.

Inside, the dash takes further inspiration from the 6 with a sweeping facia and prominent centre console, plus ambient lighting and upgraded controls.

It wonò€™t be much bigger than the model it replaces, though, because under the skin lies a development of the outgoing 3ò€™s Focus-derived chassis.

Mazda has applied its ò€˜gramme strategyò€™ to the platform ò€“ this weight-saving programme was used on the 2 and 6, and ensures the car is much lighter. So improvements in acceleration, fuel economy and emissions are anticipated.

The suspension will be re-engineered for enhanced agility and overall handling, too. Mazda made some big leaps with the 6ò€™s dynamics ò€“ putting it virtually on a par with the Ford Mondeo ò€“ and has worked towards the same outcome with the 3.

The developments continue under the bonnet. In addition to the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6 and 2.0 diesels carried over from the current range, there will be a new 150bhp 2.0 direct-injection petrol, plus a fresh 2.2 turbodiesel. The latter, tuned to outputs from 125-185bhp, is also set to be offered in the 6 from next year. Together with the weight-saving programme, a new stop-start system will help improve fuel economy by 10 per cent across the board.

Weò€™ve pictured the saloon here, but a hatch is also due, and it is expected to account for the bulk of UK sales. For the first time, Mazda is also planning an estate for the range. Hot hatch fans can expect an MPS variant in 2010. It could make use of the new 185bhp diesel unit, so is set to be more economical than the current petrol car.

When the range goes on sale next year, prices are not expected to rise significantly.