Next Mazda MX-5 loses its smile, gains aggression

If you're a fan of Mazda's diminutive MX-5 roadster and its smiling countenance, you might want to act fast, because it's not long for this world... at least, it's smiling countenance isn't. 

Set to be heavily remodeled next year, Mazda has finally released pictures and press information of what changes await the MX-5's Japanese domestic market next year, and the giant smiling bumper cover is just one of the things that's going to depart. Slated to be replaced by a more angular grille opening bracketed by racy faux vents on either side, the restyling moves the MX-5 further from its "chick car" status and really makes for a more aggressive and sporty looking car, albeit one that doesn't look nearly as happy. 

Further changes include revisions to the available colour palette both inside and out, while the Japanese market also gets an active hood designed to catch any in-the-way pedestrians and prevent them from breaching the windshield. Whether or not the North American market will receive that particular feature remains to be seen.