Ahead of its launch in early 2013, value forecasts for the all-new Mazda 6 put the model in a strong position compared to its key rivals.

The Mazda 6, which goes on UK sale in January 2013 in saloon and tourer body styles, has been given a three-year/60,000-mile residual value uplift of up to 7.5 percent versus the outgoing model, according to data from vehicle information provider CAP.

Residual value predictions for the Mazda 6 petrol-engined Saloon range average 31.8 percent, the petrol-engined Tourer 33 percent, the diesel-engined Saloon 31.6 percent and the diesel-engined Tourer 32.7 percent.

Those forecasts, according to CAP, put the new Mazda 6 comfortably ahead in the residual value stakes against the likes of the Vauxhall Insignia (average 23 percent), Ford Mondeo (28 percent), Volkswagen Passat (29 percent), Honda Accord (30 percent) and Toyota Avensis (31 percent).

Mazda forecasts that its biggest fleet seller in the range will be the 2.2-litre 150ps SKYACTIV-D Saloon SE-L Nav with a P11D value of £23,140, CO2 emissions at a class-leading 108g/km and combined cycle fuel economy of 67.3mpg. CAP predicts that the model will have a three-year/60,000-mile residual value of £7,475 (32 percent).