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The all-new Mazda3 at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Back in June, when the all-new Mazda3 was unveiled to the world at events held simultaneously in five cities - London, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Melbourne and New York - the consensus was loud and clear: Mazda has done it again. The model launch, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the very first Mazda3 rolling off the production line in Japan, also acknowledged that defying convention works.

Taking centre stage in at the 65th edition of the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), the new Mazda3 follows in the tracks of the Mazda CX-5 and the new Mazda6, two hugely successful models. And it is undeniably a worthy third member of Mazda's newest generation, with its award-winning "KODO - Soul of Motion" design and cutting-edge SKYACTIV Technology.

The new Mazda3 features MZD Connect, the company's brand new in-vehicle connectivity concept - fitting for this year's IAA, whose central themes include the networked car of the future. Designed for straightforward and above all safe operation, the system makes the latest generation of Mazda's all-time bestseller one of the first in its class to take occupants online. Access Facebook and Twitter, explore the world of Aha^TM with tens of thousands of stations of cloud-based content, or reap the benefits of personalised location-based services and Mazda's own car-related apps.

Accessing such services is done from the comfort and convenience of Mazda's freshly coherent and unobtrusively tasteful next-generation interior, another debut on the new Mazda3. The cabin, which boasts best or near best-in-class dimensions in many respects, is split into separate driver and passenger zones designed for fun, non-stressful driving and a secure, relaxing passenger atmosphere. Complementing this inspired layout concept is a safe to use and remarkably ergonomic human-machine interface. Highlights here include the Active Driving Display, Mazda's new head-up display, and a rotary commander redesigned to enable the driver effortless control of the car's infotainment features without taking his or her eyes off the road.

On the outside, the new Mazda3 inherits the powerful stance, dynamic flowing lines and general beauty of KODO as interpreted on the Mazda6. Taken on the Mazda3's smaller, leaner proportions, its shapes work like a magnet, building anticipation of what this car can do. And with its unconventional SKYACTIV Technology line-up of ultra-efficient lightweight engines, transmissions, body and chassis, the car can in fact do quite a lot, offering a level of performance and driving dynamics fully on a par with its looks.

Mazda engineers, for example, have managed to make extreme compression both effective and economical. Diesel or petrol, the new Mazda3 delivers enviably low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions yet still lives more than ever up to its sporty compact label thanks to smooth, linear acceleration and precise, nimble handling. Add in innovative in-house technology like i-stop, for the world's quickest idle-stop restarts, i-ELOOP, the company's brake energy regeneration system, and the i-ACTIVSENSE range of active safety technology, and it all works to make drivers better and driving safer as well as more environmentally friendly. It won't be long now: The all-new Mazda3 will go on sale in Europe in October.