Mazda Takeri Sedan

This year's edition of the Tokyo Motor Show in December is gearing up to be one of the most exciting automotive events of the year as we're anticipating many important debuts including the Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ twins, the new Honda CR-V and the reason why we're writing this article, the Mazda Takeri concept.

Even though Mazda's initial press release didn't disclose many details, the Takeri is believed to be a thinly disguised concept of the next generation of the Mazda6 sedan in the same way that the Minagi study previewed the CX-5 that was revealed in Frankfurt this September.

The Takeri introduces a far more expressive design than the current Mazda6 with its styling strongly inspired by the swoopy Shinari sports sedan study.

In the video that follows below, you can get a look at the Takeri while its spinning around during a photo session for a Japanese magazine.

Saab Ownership Autonews

Buddhism preaches that karma passes from one life to another in reincarnation and that the outcome is based on what deeds are done in previous lives.

Now, Saab must have a really bad karma. There’s really no other explanation for the constant problem that arise, preventing the ailing Swedish carmaker from finding peace in securing its existence.

This time it’s not the Chinese government, the creditors, the suppliers, the workers’ unions, the Swedish debt office or the court-appointed administrator. All of the aforementioned parties have given their approval. Instead, in a surprising move, it's the company's former owner and current preference shareholder, General Motors, that’s may try to block the sale to Pang Da and Youngman.

"GM would not be able to support a change in the ownership of Saab which could negatively impact GM's existing relationships in China or otherwise adversely affect GM's interests worldwide," GM spokesman Jim Cain said in a statement today.

The two Chinese companies plan to invest a significant amount of cash into the company and even begin production in China, doubling Saab’s production from as early as 2013.

Reality check: if the new owners’ plans come into fruition, it is obvious that GM’s luxury brands will have a new, revitalized competitor not just in China, but in most world car markets. Therefore, the General may veto the deal.

GM has already tried to kill Saab once in 2010, before Spyker and Victor Muller came to the brand's rescue. As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, then try again…

Story References: Autonews [Sub. Req.]

2012 BMW 3-Series with a New PHOTO GALLERY

BMW's turn to more conservative shapes and styles after the departure of design head honcho Chris Bangle in early 2009, hasn't satisfied all bimmer fans. In fact, some BMW aficionados believe the company should further simplify the designs of its cars.

And even though the design of the new 3-Series saloon is more or less an evolution of the previous model, Carscoop reader Steph S. thinks that BMW's bread-and-butter saloon could do with a bit of a redo up front, which truth to be said, is the only new styling element that stands out in the car.

Here's what Steph told Carscoop:

"My name is Steph, and I represent that percent of conservative people who believe new 3er could have had different headlights. It's clear that BMW's intention was to realise a connection between future design line and actual models and I won't tell you that I dislike the result, but I think some simple detached headlights would have looked better.

As a support of this idea, I added those pics. I'm curious which version would people like better? What do you think?"

You can compare the retouched photos sent by Steph with the original pictures below.

Kudos to Steph for the images!

PHOTO GALLERY

2011 SEMA Mega 270 Photos Gallery

It is often called the Mecca of the tuning world and with good reason as the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show plays host not to hundreds but literally thousands of modified production, project and concepts cars and trucks and an even vastly larger number of aftermarket products.

This year's edition of the tuning bonanza in Las Vegas came to an end on Friday and now that we're done covering the most important debuts, it's time for a photo tribute to the cars that made it to the show.

If you follow the jump, you can find the first part that includes more than 270 high-resolution photos. Stay tuned for the second installment sometime tomorrow.

PHOTO GALLERY