The official 2014 Mazda3 renderings shown here were dropped off in very James Bond-like fashion in an unmarked envelope at the offices of the U.K.’s Auto Express. While crafty Mazda says these pics don’t necessarily show the actual production model, rather a design study that shows what a new Mazda compact could look like, the flowing sedan and hatch shown here are most likely indeed the next-gen car.

What we know: the 3rd-generation compact car will once again come in sedan and four-door hatch body styles, will stay with the current model’s available 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gas engine with better than 40 highway mpg, and will be significantly lighter. Europe will also get two diesel engines (1.6-liter and 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D variants), one of which may (or may not) make it to the States.

This car, styled under Mazda’s new Kodo design language and featuring details pulled from the upcoming new Mazda6 sedan and 2013 Mazda CX-5 crossover, comes off as a resounding success. With its prominent shield-shaped grille and interesting interplay of side body creases, it reminds us a bit of the Hyundai Elantra, except sleeker and less overtly flashy.

Pricing and Availability: the 2014 Mazda3 will officially debut some time next Summer and go on sale on these shores in the second half of 2013. Pricing should rise just a bit compared with the current 2013 Mazda3 ($15,995), which is priced at the lower end of the red-hot compact car segment.