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.

Mazda5 Laguna SECA PHOTO GALLERY

Albeit one of the lesser "zoom-zoom" models in Mazda's range, the Mazda5 minivan also received a special treatment for the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.

Dubbed the Mazda5 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (MRLS) support vehicle, the six-seater family car has been reimagined with a slightly sportier flair.

Highlights include the lowering springs with height-adjustable perches, a set of flat-black-painted 19-inch Mazda RX-8 R3-spec forged aluminum wheels complete with MRLS logo orange dots, and custom graphics that display the Laguna Seca racing circuit.

PHOTO GALLERY

2011 SEMA: Hot Mazda MX-5 Spyder

One of the most intriguing concept models of this year's edition of the SEMA automotive aftermarket extravaganza, which takes place in Las Vegas from November 1 to 4, is the Mazda MX-5 Spyder.

Based on the soft-top MX-5, the two-seater roadster model has been tastefully modded with a mix of bespoke accessories and body parts such as the ground effects kit and the redesigned front bumper that sports a new grille and air vents.

The lowered suspension and the new 17-inch, 10-spoke ADVAN RS wheels in Gun Metal Metallic shod in beefy Yokohama AO48 225/45R17 performance tires give the MX-5 Spyder an even more aggressive stance.

The car's low-slung looks are further accentuated by a simple, single-panel grenadine-red soft-top that was designed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and Magna Car Top Systems, and made by Haartz Corporation. The lightweight top is fitted on the windshield with two locks at the back holding it on the trunk.

Under the hood, the MX-5's standard 2.0-liter engine has been modified to run on BP's isobutanol, a biofuel that is also used by the Mazda/Dyson Racing entry in the American Le Mans Series.

"Although similar to how ethanol is produced from agricultural feedstock, isobutanol does not compromise vehicle performance for the sake of fuel economy and can be added to the current fuel distribution infrastructure without requiring modifications in blending facilities, storage tanks and retail station pumps," says Mazda.

Other mechanical changes on the MX-5 Spyder include a Racing Beat header, intake and exhaust muffler, a MAZDASPEED coil over kit, Brembo brakes and a lightweight lithium-ion racing battery made by Braille Battery.

As for the interior, Mazda's designers fitted the Spyder with tanned Saddle black-leather seats with Aqua leather accents and Coal Ash suede inserts, with the same material being used on the door panels. The Silk Gray Metallic-colored trim pieces on the doors and dash panels along with the MAZDASPEED short-throw shifter complete the mods.

PHOTO GALLERY

Supercharged Mazda MX-5 Super20 PHOTO GALLERY

Joining the new MX-5 Spyder Concept at Mazda's 2011 SEMA Show booth is a blast from the past, the MX-5 Super20 that returns to Las Vegas with a new color scheme.

Introduced during last year's SEMA extravaganza, the refreshed MX-5 Super20 ditches the original model's dark color theme for an eye-popping Hyper Orange Mica exterior treatment offset by a matte black finish for the hardtop, wheel arch extensions, trim accents, stripes and 16-inch Enkei RPF1 twin-spoke racing wheels matched with Toyo Proxes RA-1 245/45ZR16 tires.

Inside, the MX-5 Super20 features color-matched roll bar and black leather seats with suede seat inserts and channel stitching.

There are no performance changes to the original MX-5 Super20, which is powered by a modified 2.0-liter four-banger featuring a Cosworth supercharger and various other upgraded such as the custom exhaust and remapped ECU.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mazda models, Mazda6, PHOTO GALLERY

Mazda fans may be unhappy about the RX-8’s demise, but the Hiroshima-based automaker has a history of displaying well received concepts that eventually enter production, like the RX-Evolve and the Minagi.

The company's latest such concept is the Takeri and it will be unveiled at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show on November 30. The Takeri is a mid-size sedan that effectively gives us an early glimpse at the Mazda6's replacement, which is expected to arrive in the market in the first half of 2013.

Like all recent Mazda models, concept and production alike, the Takeri adopts the company’s new “KODO – Soul of Motion” design language.

If you get past the name, the Takeri has a very attractive design, both inside and out, with many styling cues borrowed directly from the Shinari sports sedan study.

Mazda hasn’t been very forthcoming with details, but the company did say that under the hood of the Takeri sits a Skyactive D diesel engine that gets several fuel-saving gizmos, including auto stop/start as well as Mazda’s first kinetic energy recovery system.

During braking, the system captures energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat, converts it to electricity, stores it in capacitors and uses it to power the car’s ancillary electric systems, further reducing engine consumption.

PHOTO GALLERY

LA Auto Show: More Debuts Announced, Including Mazda Shinari, New Chrysler 200 Convertible and Hyundai Elantra

Automakers are planning to unload a raft of new vehicles at the rapidly approaching Los Angeles Auto Show. According to the event planners, the LA convention center will host 20 world premieres and more than 30 North American debuts.

We already know about several world debuts such and Nissan's completely redesigned Quest minivan, Murano Cross Cabriolet concept and Ellure sedan study, but today the organizers [officially] confirmed a few more premieres.

These include -in no particular order- the well-received Mazda Shinari sports sedan [read the full story here]; the five-door version of the Land Rover Evoque; Saab 9-4X; Kia Optima Hybrid; VW Eos facelift, and the U.S.-spec Hyundai Elantra compact sedan and Fiat 500

In addition, show planners said Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep will display a handful of new products such as the Chrysler 200 Sedan and it's yet-to-be-revealed, Convertible brethren.

Other models to go on show in LA include the all-new Audi A7 Sportback, BMW's redesigned X3 crossover, Porsche's new 911 Carrera GTS and Speedster, the Jaguar C-X75 study, and five concept sport models from Lotus that we first saw at the Paris Show last month.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________