The new Mazda3 hatch made its debut last week and our first impressions were very good.

Now the first official pictures of the saloon variant have hit the web courtesy of Top Gear Russia.

The Mazda3 saloon looks almost like a smaller version of the Mazda6, which is not a bad thing at all.

Of course people’s tastes vary, but to us the saloon with its short trunk looks even better than the hatchback.

Engines for the saloon are expected to carry over from the hatchback, meaning we will get two petrol units with power ranging from 99bhp to 162bhp and a single diesel – a 148bhp 2.2-litre unit with 280 lb ft of torque.

Both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic will be available.