Here it is folks, next year’s (slightly) edgier, (slightly) manlier Mazda MX-5 has been revealed. Last month we got a preview of what the facelift might look like, but now thanks to the folks over at Spanish site km77.com (who helpfully splashed their watermark all over this image - thanks guys) we can finally lay eyes on next year’s updated model.

Bodywork changes are entirely limited to the sheetmetal ahead of the A-pillar, with the front bumper now sporting a happier ‘grin’ and the headlights being reshaped to eliminate the roundness of the old model’s lamps. There’s also newer Taiki-esque foglight surrounds, while the front arches have also been subtly reworked.

While they’re small changes, the end result is an MX-5 that looks a little more athletic than its predecessor and it certainly appears slightly less feminine to boot. The changes also bring the NC MX-5 more into line with Mazda’s other Nagare-inspired offerings, such as the new 6 and the updated RX-8. If the 2009 MX-5 still doesn’t do it for you, don’t worry - word is Mazda will be bringing out an all-new replacement sometime around 2012 which will feature a ballsier design and a much less conservative appearance.

[Source: km77.com]
[Image: Mazda/km77.com]