Hold on to your steering wheels, because Mazda is shifting gears in a big way. Known for its iconic "zoom zoom" and playful, sporty vibes, the Japanese automaker is now eyeing the luxury lane. Enter a fresh logo, recently trademarked in Japan, signaling a chic rebrand as Mazda accelerates towards a more premium image.

The new emblem isn’t a complete overhaul but rather a refined evolution of Mazda’s current design. The familiar winged "M" stays, but the surrounding ring is now perfectly circular, shedding the slightly squared-off look of its predecessor. The wings themselves are sharper and more angular, ditching the previous flowing lines for a bolder, flatter appearance.

This isn't just speculation—Mazda's new badge might have already made a stealthy debut. Remember the Arata concept from the Beijing Auto Show in April? That sleek SUV sported an illuminated badge strikingly similar to this new design. It’s a subtle change, but a side-by-side comparison reveals the updated logo in all its glory. While it’s possible this new emblem might be exclusive to the Chinese market, given Mazda’s joint venture with Changan, we’re betting on a broader rollout.

Expect this logo to spearhead Mazda's global rebrand. With the trademark now in place, don’t be surprised if the new badge starts adorning Mazda's latest models within the next year. The current logo has been around since 1997, a modern iteration that replaced the somewhat dated 1990s design with its circle-in-oval motif.

Mazda's ambition to climb the luxury ladder is clear, and this sleek, angular logo is a key indicator of its future direction. Stay tuned as Mazda continues to redefine its identity, one elegant curve at a time.