The handsome, electric Mazda 6e will cost £39k

The Mazda 6 is back! Yep, the smartly styled saloon has returned from the dead, and it’s technically now a hatchback. It’s also fully electric and henceforth will be known as the Mazda 6e. Oh, and it’s not really a Mazda at all, because it’s actually just a rebodied Changan Deepal SL03 with some steering and suspension tweaks for European roads.

Keenly priced, though. In Europe there are two battery options – a 68.8kWh LFP unit and a longer range 80kWh with NCM chemistry. Strangely in the UK we’ll get neither of those. Instead, our only option is a 78kWh LFP battery which allows for a claimed range of 348 miles. Prices start at £38,995.

That means it’s around £1k more than the new entry-level Model 3 Standard on our shores, but it’s also a good chunk cheaper than rivals like the BYD Seal (from £45,730), the electric version of the new Mercedes CLA (from £45,615) and the Kia EV4 Fastback (from £40,945).

A single motor powers the rear wheels on the 6e with 254bhp, meaning 0-62mph takes 7.9 seconds. The new battery will also take on charge at 195kW, so a 10 to 80 per cent jump should take 24 minutes.

Just two trim levels will be available, with the entry Takumi models getting black or stone fake leather trim. The upgrade to Takumi Plus costs an extra £1k but adds fancy tan Nappa leather and artificial suede inside.

Apparently the first 6es should start arriving at UK dealers this summer. Want to know what we thought of the Euro-spec version? Click these here words.