(Tue 03 Feb 09)

Mazda will be launching two new versions of the revised 3 range at the Geneva Show in early March.

The more exciting of the two is the new MPS, which shares the 256bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine of its predecessor. Mazda says that this car "evolves the driving experience to an entirely new level of quality and pleasure", which we hope means that the handling has been sorted. Fuel economy will be better than before, and the MPS also meets Euro 5 emissions legislation.

Less thrilling but more relevant is the i-stop, which has a two-litre petrol engine combined with Mazda's version of the increasingly popular stop/start system. i-stop gives the car a 12% reduction in urban cycle fuel consumption, and although Mazda has not yet given specific figure there should also be an improvement in combined economy and CO2 emissions.

UK details are unlikely to be released before Geneva.

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