The brand new mega hatch from Mazda has been spotted out testing around the seemingly over-worked Nurburgring, in preparation to hit our roads next year. It seems any performance car worth its name has been snapped testing in the Eifel Mountains, leading to 'Ring overkill lately.

Still, this new MPS should be a fairly interesting car. While the new Golf GTI will almost certainly be great - it has a pretty sound predecessor to work off - this new Mazda 3 has a more intriguing, if flawed, background.

The current car manages to put a monstrous 256bhp and 280lb ft through the front wheels with very few downsides, but very little excitement. That'll be something Mazda hopes to rectify with the new MPS, which will boast much less innocuous styling and hopefully a lot more behind-the-wheel fun.

The current car is competent enough, but doesn't attract attention in the same way that an MX-5 or RX-8 manages. This MPS is set to carry over the 4-cyl 2.3-litre turbo from the outgoing hot 3, which hurtles the Focus-based hatch to 62mph in 6.1sec and onto a limited 155mph.

If Mazda can transfer some of it's weight-loss expertise that's been lavished onto the Mazda 2, expect that 0-62 sprint to get quicker still - while mpg and emissions figures should also improve. An important move when trying to sell a performance car in the current climate.