Though the images have now disappeared from the site, Mazda bosses have been embarrassed after sketches of the new facelifted MX-5 leaked on to the internet. Strangely, and infuriatingly for Mazda, the images reportedly came from a patent application made with the European Union. the drawings show the Japanese manufacturer is planning a series of visual tweaks for the MX-5’s midlife facelift. The new car is scheduled to be introduced in 2010.

The facelifted model has not only gained a front splitter, but the headlights have become more angled, the radiator grille has a more trapezoidal form, in keeping with other models in the current Mazda line-up, and the front fog lights are now inset into deeper recesses.

The design changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary and are in keeping with Mazda’s long-standing approach to MX-5 updates. The current car has been on sale since 2005 and this mild facelift will take it through to about 2012, when it will be replaced by a lighter and more driver-focussed model.