A zoom zoom sneak peek

Normally when top-leaked secret information glides across the carsGuide desk, it is in the form of camouflaged photos.

But what was thought to be renderings of the next-generation Mazda3 accidently put on the web by a Japanese toy maker are believed to be real images owned by Mazda.

However, if that's the case, Mazda Australia spokesman Glenn Butler is not spilling the beans.

“The sheer interest in the number of speculative renderings that have surfaced recently are a clear indication of the keen interest consumers have in next-generation versions of Australia's third best-selling passenger car,” he says.

Nor would Butler be drawn on whether Mazda owned the images.

The newest Mazda is not officially due to go on sale here until mid-next year.

It is expected to be displayed at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

As the white renderings show, the newcomer looks more evolutionary than revolutionary.

The hatch's design follows the successful contemporary theme of the current car. However, some of the new curves clearly follow the latest Mazda6, particularly the flared front wheel-arches and eyebrow headlight design.

The new “family” front end is even expected to grace the facelifted MX-5 next year, according to carsGuide's Japan correspondent Peter Lyons. The new Mazda3 will ride on the next-generation global Ford Focus C1 platform and is expected to be slightly longer and wider than the current model.

The entry model is expected to retain the 2.0-litre four-cylinder, but might be massaged for more power.

The 2.3-litre four-cylinder in the SP23 is tipped to get a lift in displacement up to 2.5-litres, like the Mazda6, with a corresponding increase in power by about 20kW.

Test prototypes have revealed the four cylinder will get a single exhaust. The high-power model is expected to get dual exhausts.

It also remains possible that Mazda could use direct injection on both engines. Buyers can also expect a turbodiesel in the range.

The Mazda3 has been one of Mazda's most successful cars.

Globally, one out of every three Mazdas sold is a Mazda3. It also represents about 40 per cent of Mazda Australia's volume.

Last year Mazda sold more than 34,000 Mazda3s and this year has already sold more than 20,000, putting it on track for its best sales year since going on sale in 2004.