The Mazda6 will soon give birth (figuratively speaking, of course, but you get our point) to the all-new 2014 Mazda3 Hatch, which could arrive on North American shores as early as this fall, according to a trio of talkative U.S.-based Mazda dealers , and in Europe, possibly early next year. If true, look for the new model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Back to our scoop story, our man with the long lens caught up with Mazda’s more stylish replacement to the current, second generation 3, while traveling/testing incognito on a street in Germany.

There’s no denying that the sharper lines of the Golf-rivaling hatch exterior are a follow up to the well-received design of the new Mazda6 series – for a better look at what the production model will look like, do check Carscoops’ rendering here .

While the driver was waiting in line for the red light, our spies were also able to take pictures of the interior, which we get to see for the very first time.

The new 2014 (or possibly 2015MY) Mazda 3’s cabin has the same design DNA as the bigger ‘6’, albeit with different instrument panel cluster with a single round gauge flanked by two smaller units on either side. There is also less clutter on the dashboard compared to the current ‘3’, while the lower center console is elevated and there’s what looks to be a retractable touchscreen on top of the center stack.

Mazda has said the new ‘3’ will be lighter than today’s model (up to 200 pounds or about 90 kg, according to some accounts), and it will be offered with a full line of Skyactiv gasoline and diesel engines – the latter may also be available in North America as well.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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