Ladies and gentlemen, these are the very first spy shots of the upcoming 2019 Mazda3 hatchback.

Scheduled to debut later this month at the LA Auto Show both in hatchback and sedan body styles, Mazda’s all-new compact model looks promising in these first spy shots.

Our photographers spotted a fully-camouflaged prototype in Europe during testing and even got a peek at its interior. Fortunately, Mazda didn’t bother disguising the cabin that much.

As you can see in our gallery, engineers tested the all-new Mazda3 alongside a VW Golf and Audi A3. Furthermore, a current Mazda3 was also part of the test group.

The design may be a bit toned down compared to the Mazda Kai Concept…

Both the bodywork and the cabin reveal clear influences from the Kai Concept, although the 2019 Mazda3 obviously looks a bit toned down in comparison.

The new Japanese compact hatchback displays harmonious proportions and striking details. Those include the sharp headlights and taillights, the gaping grille, as well as the dynamic treatment of the C-pillar. All of the above are influences from the Kai Concept.

Inside, the dashboard is also reminiscent of said study, adopting a similar layout with as few buttons as possible. As with the concept, the instrument panel features three round gauges and the steering wheel has three spokes. The big difference compared to the concept is the addition of a floating central touchscreen that breaks the continuity of the dashboard but is a “necessary evil.”

The prototype seems to be a well-equipped model that features red leather upholstery, leather-wrapped dashboard with contrast stitching, and polished-aluminum trim, among other materials.

… but the technology certainly isn’t

The all-new Mazda3 will be the first production vehicle to use the automaker’s SkyActiv Vehicle Architecture. The new platform is expected to bring improved refinement, a lower seating position, and better handling.

But its main contribution will be the radical new engine technology called SkyActiv-X that features Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SCCI). The 2019 Mazda3 will feature a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-X gasoline engine that promises to combine diesel-like fuel economy with the performance typical of a petrol unit.

The SkyActiv-X engine will deliver 190 PS (187 hp) and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque, but Mazda will also offer two cheaper and smaller gasoline and diesel units carried over from the outgoing model.

*Update: Article has been updated with additional photos

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Photo credits: CarPix | S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops