Mazda is introducing a special edition of its Mazda3.

Based on the Mazda3 1.6 S five-door hatchback, the new Mazda3 Sakata has external and interior enhancements at a price of £11,995 on-the-road.

Available now, each Mazda Sakata is finished in Strato Blue metallic paint (not available on standard Mazda3 vehicles) and is equipped with a rear roof spoiler (as fitted on the Mazda3 Sport) and 15-inch alloy wheels. Interior additions include air conditioning as standard.

The Sakata costs £245 more than a standard 1.6 S model but Mazda says it adds £1,100 worth of additional equipment compared to the standard model ordered with similar options extras and accessories.

All Mazda3 Sakata models are powered by a 1.6-litre, 103bhp, 16-valve petrol engine, through a five-speed manual transmission.

Like the 1.6 S model, the Mazda3 Sakata also features a jack-knife key, single CD player, audio system with four speakers, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows and electric heated door mirrors, remote central locking with dead locks, and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser as standard.

Standard passive safety features include four airbags – driver and front passenger airbags and front side airbags – as well as active safety features such as four disc brakes with ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and emergency brake assist (EBA).

There will be only 750 examples of the new Mazda3 Sakata made available for the UK market and the new model has been classed in insurance group 5E – the same as the 1.6 S model.

The Sakata is available until September 30 and is offered with a £700 deposit allowance when financed through Mazda MulitOption.