Once again, the cat, or in our case, the 2009 MX-5 has been let out of the bag earlier than expected as the first full image gallery of Mazda’s facelifted roadster has just hit the web. This time we have official photos of both the soft- and hard-top versions of the Miata / MX-5. We’re still a bit short on details as Mazda has not released any official info -or any more pics other than this one for that matter. However, apart from the redesigned front-end, the photos reveal that the 2009 MX-5 / Miata also sports new tail lamps and a slightly revised rear bumper. Judging from the pictures, it appears that there aren’t any notable changes in the interior.

Shortly after Suzuki introduced the new Wagon-R and Wagon-R Stingray into the Japanese market, Mazda announced the sales launch of the fully redesigned AZ-Wagon which as you can clearly see in the pictures, is a rebadged version of Suzuki’s kei car. As with the donor vehicle, the AZ-Wagon is offered in two flavours, the standard car and the ‘sportier’ looking Custom Style which is the equivalent of the Suzuki Wagon-R Stingray.

Mazda not only confirmed earlier reports by announcing that the sedan version of the all-new Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan) will indeed be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19, but the Japanese automaker also released the first batch of official shots. While retaining the basic shape of the current model, Mazda’s designers adorned the new 3 with styling elements from their latest models and especially the Mazda6 and the RX-8. Some could even say that the 2010 Mazda3 looks like a more compact and aggressively styled version of the Mazda6 -especially the Euro and Japan spec model. Either way, both are right.

The refreshed 2009 Mazda MX-5 / Miata made its global debut at the Paris Motor Show. The most apparent changes concern the more aggressively styled front end that incorporates elements from Mazda’s newer models like the larger grille as well as new headlights and fog lamp surrounds. Furthermore, Mazda’s designers restyled the side skirts, rear bumper and the tail lights which now feature a more elliptical motif while the alloy designs are also new. Additionally, the hartop Roadster Coupe now sports a mesh grille framed by a chrome ring and chrome detailing on the headlamp inner bezels and outer door handles.

In a weekend full of surprises and bewilderment for the American auto industry, right after reports of Chrysler holding merger talks with GM hit the web, Japanese media reported Saturday that Ford Motor Company was seriously considering selling its stake in Mazda Motor Corp as part of an effort to keep itself alive amid a downturn in global auto sales and a worldwide financial crisis.

Following its motorshow debut in London earlier this year, Mazda has announced the European market launch of the mildly facelifted BT-50 pickup truck. Exterior updates include the revised front-end that features a new grille and sliver-look headlamps bezels along with new 16-inch alloy wheels for the 4WD models. In the interior, changes are limited to the higher quality fabrics, new seat colors and lighting for the instrument panel, climate and audio controls. The center console is also upgraded with an all-silver look.

In times like this rumors are bound to flourish. Following last weekend’s unconfirmed reports that cash-strapped Ford is considering selling the majority of its 33,4% stake in Mazda, Japan’s Nikkei business daily reported today that the American carmaker approached auto parts supplier Denso to buy a small part of Mazda. The Japanese newspaper’s unnamed sources said that the number of Mazda shares that Denso would acquire hadn’t yet been finalized. However, the report noted that Denso was likely to buy less than 1% of Mazda’s stock from Ford.

The Aussie-made Mazda2 Extreme that premiered earlier this year at the 2008 Melbourne Auto Show (click here for details and photos) will make its long-awaited rally debut in Canberra, Australia this weekend at the penultimate round of the New South Wales rally championship. Using the latest generation Mazda2 as a base, Mazda of Australia has been constantly working on the rally-prepped supermini. Since its official introduction in Melbourne, further refinements have been made to the car’s suspension package while Mazda also added new high-performance brakes.

That the hatchback version of the brand-new Mazda3 would be unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy this December is something we’ve known and shared with you, our readers, since mid-summer. Nevertheless, we can now inform you that it is official as the Japanese automaker has just sent invitations to the members of the European media for an exclusive preview of the new Mazda3 5door. The presentation will take place in the city of Bologna on December 2, ahead of the motorshow’s first press day on the 3rd of the month.

While we’re all patiently waiting to see what’s going to happen to the successor of the Mazda6 MazdaSpeed or as it’s called in Europe and other markets, the MPS, the Japanese firm decided to join forces with Troy Lee Designs and introduce a beefed-up variant of the latest generation ‘6′ at the SEMA show. The Troy Lee Mazda6 features the usual visual upgrades that you see on most SEMA show vehicles including a custom paint job, peripheral spoilers and larger 18-inch Momo alloy wheels in Hoosier tires.