Mazda Takeri Concept at the 2012 New York Auto Show

It looks like a diesel powertrain is in Mazda's near future. The automaker is showing its first SkyActiv diesel concept in New York. The Takeri is an aggressively styled coupe-like sedan that uses a variety of new fuel-saving technologies, some of which the automaker expects to roll out into production vehicles. More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage The swoopy midsize sedan rides on 20-inch satin-chrome wheels and uses what Mazda calls its Kodo ("Soul of Motion") design theme. The 2013 Mazda CX-5 was the first production vehicle to use Kodo cues, including the updated five-point grille and more sculpted body lines. "The sharp features of Takeri also could undoubtedly make their way into a future production vehicle," Mazda said in a statement. Its satin-chrome accents are carried over inside, lining the instrument panel. The cabin also features bolstered seats in Ceramic white leather. Under the hood is a 2.2-liter diesel engine, part of the company's SkyActiv-branded powertrains. It joins other new fuel-tech equipment like a start/stop system Mazda is calling i-stop and a regenerative braking system dubbed i-ELOOP. With the former, the concept can be restarted in 0.4 seconds, which Mazda says is the world's fastest diesel engine restart time. The latter stands for Intelligent Energy Loop and is a capacitor-based regenerative braking system. The kinetic energy captured while braking is stored in a capacitor instead of in the battery; it's then used to power the vehicle's electrical equipment. Mazda says it improves fuel economy by as much as 10%. Mazda did not confirm production plans for the Takeri, but did say elements of its design and fuel-saving equipment will make their way into production vehicles. The i-stop stop/start system is currently available in vehicles sold in Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and i-ELOOP will be introduced into Mazda vehicles beginning this year. from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/

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