At the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show, Mazda->ke53 debuted a new concept, the Takeri, and it just may be a preview to another anticipated vehicle – the new Mazda6. The Takeri concept vehicle, which will make its American debut at the New York Auto Show on April 4th, is just another addition to Mazda’s “KODO” design, which is rather wild, even for Mazda. The Takeri will feature Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D engine - a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine - which is designed to decrease emissions and increase fuel economy.

This intelligent diesel engine also features what Mazda calls “i-Stop,” which shuts the engine off during extended stops and restarts it within 0.4 seconds of pressing the accelerator again. That’s the fastest restart of any automatic engine shutdown system today, but still, once that technology starts breaking down, it will be a nightmare for owners.

There are no details on the U.S. version of the 2.2-liter engine, but the European version produces 170 horsepower in the CX-5->ke265.

The most interesting thing about this release is that it is coming on the forefront of an anticipated redesign for the Mazda6. Looking at the spy shots of the 2013 Mazda6 that we teased back in January and comparing them to the Takeri image, the similarities are uncanny.

We are going to go ahead and make the call that the Takeri coming to the U.S. bearing its 2.2-liter diesel engine will ultimately be Mazda’s announcement of an all-new Mazda6. While the redesign may not be a complete shock, the 2.2-liter diesel and other SKYACTIV technologies fitted on the 2013 Mazda6 – lowered engine compression, i-Stop, high-tech transmission, and more rigid, yet lighter, body – should help keep future owners away from the gas pumps a little more often.

Hit the jump to read the official press release from Mazda.

Concept Vehicle Featuring SKYACTIV(1)TECHNOLOGY Makes North American Debut -

IRVINE, Calif., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced the TAKERI Concept will make its North American debut at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. TAKERI is the third concept vehicle to feature the brand's KODO ("Soul of Motion") design theme and the second to fully embrace SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. TAKERI is the first Mazda concept vehicle to feature a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine as well as other fuel-saving technologies such as i-stop, a stop-start system, and i-ELOOP, a regenerative braking system.

A vehicle of mid-size sedan proportions, TAKERI is outfitted with the swooping hood and crisp lines which have become synonymous with KODO design. The eagle-eyed five-point grille stretches out into twisty yet sleek steel strokes, enhancing a lean, muscular build that sits on 20-inch satin-chrome wheels. TAKERI also features the full suite of SKYACTIV technologies, Mazda's innovative fuel-saving, performance-oriented engineering initiative.

Equipped with a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter diesel engine, TAKERI features the i-stop idling stop system and i-ELOOP, the world's first capacitor-based regenerative braking system. i-stop restarts in a single engine cycle unlike other stop-start systems, which require two cycles. At less than 0.4 seconds, i-stop achieves the world's fastest diesel engine restart time. i-ELOOP efficiently converts kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration, which is stored in capacitors and then used to power the vehicle's electric equipment, reducing engine load and improving fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.

More information on the TAKERI Concept as well as Mazda's global business plans will be announced during a press conference on Wednesday, April 4.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

(1) SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation (MC).