MAZDA says the new Mazda3 MPS will be the fastest, best handling, best braking model in the range when it goes on sale in the UK next February.

Priced from £18,995 on-the-road, the Mazda3 MPS will be marketed in the UK as a single model.

Each Mazda3 MPS will be mechanically identical with MPS-branded sports seats with black leather side bolsters and centre sections in black sports cloth. In addition, customers will be able to choose between four exterior paint colours - with mica or metallic finish.

Mazda UK will have a limited allocation of about 1,000 right-hand-drive Mazda3 MPS vehicles during 2007 and anticipates a healthy waiting list for the newcomer.

The firm said the arrival of Mazda's 155mph super-hatch' would also have a halo' effect on sales of the Mazda3 range which are expected to reach a total of about 14,000 in 2007.

Mazda UK's marketing director, Mark Cameron, said: "The Mazda3 MPS is designed for a global market and annual production will be more than 10,000 units in 2007.

"In the UK, the sports hatchback market is both well established and more demanding in terms of styling.

"For this reason we have developed a sports styling pack, which includes a larger rear spoiler, two-spoke sports door mirrors and lowered suspension, to enhance the vehicle's sporting prowess.

"Priced at £500 fully fitted, the sports styling pack will be available in Mazda showrooms from March 2007, and we expect around 70 per cent of Mazda3 MPS buyers will opt for this pack. Over time we expect all Mazda3 MPS models in the UK to feature the sports styling pack as standard."