Mazda 6 revealed in Takeri concept

One of 52 world premieres at Tokyo motor show - 26 of them passenger cars - Mazda's next 6 sedan is still called the Takeri concept car for now but it is set to be one of the stars of this year's Tokyo Motor Show stand.

While the company is saying everything but "this is the new Mazda6," this is close to what it will look like when it replaces the current car, but that's not likely before the end of next year.

More likely to seat five than the concept car's four-seat set-up, the Takeri has the brand's Skyactiv-D 2.2-litre turbodiesel 129kW/420Nm 2.2-litre driving the front wheels, the "i-stop" start-stop system and regenerative braking system imaginatively entitled ‘i-ELOOP.’

The diesel is also teamed to a Skyactiv six-speed automatic, something the brand's current diesel passenger cars have been sorely missing in the automatic-addicted Australian market.

The concept car is 115mm longer than the current 6, with most of that increase injected into the wheelbase for improved cabin space; it's also 75mm wider and 10mm lower in overall height.

Mazda believes the turbodiesel medium passenger car will offer performance and fuel economy, with an expected cruising range as high as 1500km.

The car's start-top system re-starts without involving the battery and ignition system - by injecting fuel into the appropriate cylinder to re-start the engine.

Mazda also claims a first within the regenerative braking system - it uses a capacitor rather than only the conventional battery to store energy drawn from the brakes, using the energy to power the car's electric equipemtn (air conditioning, infotainment etc.)

The Takeri's styling is already recognisable as a Mazda - following on from the Shinari concept car and aiming to look like a coiled animal, ready to explode from standstill, according to the company designers.

Mazda design general manager Ikuo Maeda is aiming to create designs that produce an emotional response.

"There is no need for Mazda to build cars for people who are only concerned with style and trends. Whether working on sports cars or compact cars, I have always worked to create designs that evoke an emotional response in people," he says.

Maeda-san says future Mazda designs will move car buyers physically and emotionally unthe the design theme Kodo - soul of motion.

"My ultimate goal is to create a brand presence that car lovers around the world recognize as representing both Mazda originality and Japanese originality," he says.