The Mazda6 has been on the update radar ever since the first ‘Kodo’ design language concept car was shown as a 4 door sedan, and it seems that Geneva will be the place where that finally happens.
The Takeri concept pictured here is more than what we expected – and a clear evolution of the earlier concepts shown last year. Mazda says that this Takeri will become the Mazda6 with only the door handles, wheels and wing mirrors not making it to the final production car.
That of course means that the dramatic nose and sculpted rear should be all over showrooms when the Mazda6 does eventually launch.
Under the bonnet the Mazda6 should be as cutting edge as its looks, with the inclusion of the companies technologically advanced SkyActiv bits and pieces. This makes for some highly efficient petrol and diesel models driven by lightweight automatic or manual transmissions.
The Mazda6 will also feature a new-for-Mazda piece of efficient technology named i-ELOOP, which is a contraction of Intelligent Energy Loop. The system works as a brake regenerative module that stores energy under deceleration which is then used to power the electrical components, taking the stress off of the engine and saving up to 10% in fuel consumption in the process.
Behind that new exterior is a clean and modern layout that is characterised by a BMW style iDrive system, opposed to the dash mounted controls of the past. The system is meant to be a homage to all things Apple, meaning that it should be very intuitive.
The concept that will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show will be driven by a next generation turbocharged diesel motor that is extremely light on emissions. While the 2,2-litre four-cylinder lump producers a respectable 130 kW and 420 Nm, only 104g/km of carbon emissions are generated in the process. This should also translate into some class leading economy figures.
As things stand now the Mazda6 should be on sale sometime in 2013, which also gives us another reason to look forward to next year.
