The LA Auto Show->ke211 starts tomorrow, and Mazda->ke53 will be bringing its new small crossover,->ke288 the 2016 Mazda CX-3 to the show. But you don’t have to wait until then to get a glimpse of this new, small family hauler, as our spy photos have already done the work for you. The car is still wrapped fully in camo, but we at least have a better of idea of what the thing will look like, and its approximate shape and proportions. It was expected to be essentially a smaller version of the CX-5 and that appears to be the case, although the rear appears to be slightly more rounded.

Considering this is the first time we have snapped shots of this thing in the wild, it doesn’t seem likely that Mazda will reveal a production model of the car at this show, but rather a production focused “concept.” Expect the concept to be really close to production quality with just a few items like huge wheels, tiny rearview mirrors and maybe some futuristic headlamps to set it apart.

The new machine will be based on the new platform found under the Mazda2 and the CX-3 will compete against things like the Nissan Juke and Fiat 500X. When the new CX-3 gets unveiled this week, be sure to come back and get all the official photos and details. Until then, just take a look at these spy shots to whet your appetite for a new pocket crossover with a bit of zoom-zoom built in.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mazda CX-3.

Why it matters

Much of the market around the world is finally downsizing again with a move away from gigantic vehicles, but sadly everyone still refuses to stop the idiocy of buying crossovers. The result is car makers are now making pocket-sized SUVs to appeal to this end of the market. Mazda has been growing its sales and if it wants to keep the upward growth going, it needs to aggressively pursue new markets. The CX-5 is already loved by many, so moving that same general machine into a smaller footprint makes sense. I just hope the CX-3 is as fun to drive as its smaller Mazda2 sibling.

Spy Shots

Mazda CX-3 - Rendering