Adam-

Latest (Oct 6) Autoweek has a piece on the 3...It, the Euro (not US) Focus and Euro Volvo S40 will all use the Ford Corporate C1 platform. US version of the 3 will be available beginning in Dec. in 4dr sedan and 5dr hatch configs. There will be an S pkg available on the 5dr, which includes a 5spd box and 17" wheels.
Motor options are a 148 or 160hp 4cyl. With a curb wt of 3050lb for the base model, stock performance with even the bigger motor will be anemic at best.
Later, Mazda will offer 3dr, wagon and conv versions, with MazdaSpeed, MPS and awd tweaks available by the end of '05.
Prices on base versions should be in $13k - $21k range.

Doesn't sound like an SVX replacement to me.