AN estate version of the new Mazda6 was unveiled at the show, along with a concept which is likely to form the basis of the company's next small car.

The Mazda6 will go on sale in the UK in June and the Sport Wagon (pictured) was seen for the first time at Geneva, alongside hatchback and saloon versions.

The concept MX Sport Runabout will lead to a five-door compact car in 2003 and will be the first Mazda to be built in Europe when production begins at Valencia.

Mazda president Mark Fields was confident that the company was in the process of a major product-led recovery following a lacklustre year.

He said: '2002 will be an energising and exciting year in which we will witness the true transformation of Mazda, and Geneva is a major milestone for us globally and in Europe.

'We are launching a whole new generation of vehicles, and our new products are getting us back to our roots.'

Meanwhile, the Mazda MPV will receive a facelift in May, with a new 139bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 134bhp common rail diesel engine which will also be available in the Mazda6.

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