Mazda 1

If you're in the market for a small hatchback, could this Mazda be the '1' for you? These are the first spy shots of the Japanese firm's all-new city car, which goes on sale later this year rivalling Ford's Ka and Toyota's Aygo.

As first glance it may resemble Mazda's Fiesta-based 2 supermini, but look closer and you'll see that the wheelbase is shorter with truncated rear doors, while it also features new bumpers front and rear as well as differently shaped taillights and headlamps.

While the shape is not unattractive, it's a shame that none of the design cues from the Mazda Kiyora  have been carried over. Last year's Paris Motor Show concept was meant to preview a new city car from Mazda, but it appears that the firm is keeping its supermini-MPV look firmly on the drawing board for now.

Still, as well as this five-door model, there's likely to be a sportier three-door version too. And some of the Kiyora's echnology could well be carried over to the new Mazda 1 in the shape of the concept's petrol-electric powertrain.

In the show car this combined a direct injection 1.3-litre petrol engine boosted by a small electric motor, with an emission-reducing start-stop system too. Expect this hybrid set-up to join the range at a later date, with a non-hybrid version and a 1.4-litre diesel to launch before the end of the year.