Thinking CAP – CAP's manufacturer relationships manager Martin Ward scours the globe for the week's insider fleet intelligence

Sunday

Over to Majorca for a sneak preview of the new Mazda3, which goes on sale in the UK in May.

The current car has been on sale since 2004, with more than two million sold worldwide and 63,000 registered in the UK.

The Mazda3 will be available in either five-door hatchback or four-door saloon form – but the latter will account for very low numbers, possibly only around 5% of the model mix.

The aerodynamics have been improved on the new model, and so too have the noise levels.

On a 15-mile test drive we noticed just how insulated the car was from road, engine and wind noise.

It also handled really well and felt solid on the twisty roads in the hills above Palma.

Chief designer Kunihiko Kurisu told me the challenge was between evolution and revolution, with the design having to be extremely functional yet sporty, as well as having similarities with the Mazda2 and Mazda6 – in other words, it had to have the Mazda look.

The front end, he told me, had to give the impression of being low and wide – and it does.

The rear quarter aspect , though, is too similar to that of the current car, and in some ways spoils what is a really well-built, attractive car that is certain to appeal to user-choosers, especially the 1.6-litre diesel model which emits 119g/km of CO2.

We get to try all the models and engines on the full press launch in March.

Wednesday

To Prodrive’s test circuit, near Kenilworth, to drive the new Honda Insight.

This all-new hybrid looks reasonable value at an estimated £15,000 starting price and should get customers into a hybrid car for the first time as it is now affordable to the masses.

Unlike the Toyota Prius that can run on electric power alone, the Insight uses the electric motor to boost power and is used in addition to the petrol engine.

There’s also a coaching mode with the car rewarding you with digital trees for economical driving.

All the budget seems to have been spent on technology, with little left for interior quality, but you can’t have everything.

However, overall it seems to be a good package.

Friday

Over the M62 to North Killingholme Docks, near Grimsby, to have a look at the first Kia Souls to arrive in the UK.

Just about everybody who has seen the Soul, including Kia staff from the UK and European headquarters, have been unsure about it at first but, like me, they find it grows on them after seeing it a few times.

The Soul goes on sale on March 1 with a 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engine, priced from around £10,500.

Its main rivals will be the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Suzuki SX4, Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia.

Kia expects to sell around 3,200 units per year.

Like the MINI and Fiat 500, there will be a range of customisation available, such as decals, so owners can make their cars more individual.

The Soul has been designed for those who want a practical car that is reasonably good value but, above all, has styling like nothing else in its class – yet!

We get to drive the Soul at an event late next month.