First look: MX-5 roadster under disguise

SHOWN to GoAuto under embargo last year, the all-new Mazda MX-5 roadster will debut at next month's 75th Geneva motor show.

And to kick things off, Mazda last week revealed the first official picture of its Gen III convertible, albeit one with some disguised bits.

Perhaps the most important fact to be gleaned from this authorised ‘spy’ photo is the car doesn’t mirror the Ibuki concept, which was a precursor to this production version.

It seems Mazda’s worldwide design boss Moray Callum has remained true to his word that he wouldn’t buggerise around with a classic beauty.

"It’s something that we’re not wanting to mess around with. We can include certain elements of Mazda design, but it’s certainly not going to look like a mini RX-8," Mr Callum told us in 2002, soon after moving to Mazda from Ford trucks.

"What you do with MX-5 is you change it as least as it needs to be changed."A significantly upgraded version of the Mazda6 will also be shown at Geneva, marking attention to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), engine and transmission performance, interior quality and "overall visual appeal".