THE all-new Mazda6 which has just gone on sale is sure to be a sales success.

The newcomer is a stunner and looks fantastic. And when you factor in the company's SKYACTIV technology and award-winning petrol and diesel engines it is bound to be a threat - not only to the mainstream players but also to the premium sector.

Design chief Ikuo Maeda has used his inspired 'Kudo - soul of motion' design language to create a gorgeous looking saloon and a fabulous estate.

Hatchback versions have been ditched although that body style was responsible for most of the last version's sales.

That may seem risky but Mazda believes that customer taste is moving on and that motorists who require hatches are moving to SUVs or estates.

But even the new saloon is very practical thanks to its 60/40 rear seats which can be folded to offer a long flat load space.

Both saloon and the Tourer estate have real presence and attract admiring glances from other road users.

The upright grille is flanked by swept-back headlights and a feature chrome strip runs under it and into the lights to add a touch of class.

I drove the handsome Tourer which has sculpted flanks and a glass area which tapers towards the rear to give the car its sporting looks. The 19-inch alloys add to this as do the twin exhausts and the smart LED tail-lights. It really is the best looking estate on sale.

The car was equipped with the impressive 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel which produces 173bhp and in this case was linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

It takes the car to 62mph in just 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of 134mph.

This is only marginally slower than the manual and the smooth shifts are a bonus. You can opt to change gears manually by flicking the steering wheel mounted paddles or by prodding the gearstick if you get bored or just want some fun.

As well as the SKYACTIV fuel saving technology the car also features Mazda's new i-Eloop technology - a brake energy regeneration system that can boost fuel economy by up to 10 per cent.

The steering is well weighted and accurate and the brakes perform strongly. The new car is 100kg lighter than its predecessor and this helps its handling and agility.

Inside the cabin is much improved on the old model. A good driving position is easy to find with plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment. The instruments and controls are clear and easy to use and soft touch plastics combine nicely with gloss black and metal detailing.

There is plenty room in the rear for three passengers who also benefit from their own air vents and cup-holders.

Useful handles in the boot allow the rear seats to drop flat instantly creating up to 1,632 litres of flat luggage space.

The built-in TomTom sat-nav was the only disappointment for me. It certainly works okay, but somehow it does not have the class of most integrated systems and it lets the rest of the package down.

The Tourer's list of talents is impressive and it is a great-looking family car which offers bags of room and is well equipped. It is also economical and  fairly priced and it also offers a sporting driving experience.