We saw the new Mazda Takeri concept for the first time at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon last December and now the mid-size sedan will be making its European debut at at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.

What's special about the Takeri is that it isn't one of those fantasy concept models that will go away after hitting the motor show scene as it previews the styling of the next Mazda6 range, expected in 2013.

The Takeri is the latest Mazda concept to adopt the Japanese firm's "KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme after the production CX-5 SUV and the Shinari sports sedan study showcased at Geneva last year.

Just a warning; if you ever happen to travel to Russia, you'd better be on the lookout for a black Mazda6 sedan with a hefty blonde passenger. She's trained to kill your vehicle if you ever cross paths with her, so watch out… Amuse yourself for about a minute in the video that follows below the jump. Read more »

Mazda engineers continue the development of the next generation "6" sedan's chassis and mechanical hardware under the cloak of the existing model's body panels, albeit in modified form as you can see from the wheel arch extensions on this prototype that our spies snapped in Europe.

If you're wondering what the new Mazda6 will look like, then all you have to do is take a gander at the photos of the swooping Takeri concept car displayed at the last November's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

The handsome study with its voluptuous curves generally received praise for its design. Hopefully, the production Mazda6, which is due sometime in 2013, won't stray too far away from the original concept.

When you put the words "Mazda" and "Coupe" together, they immediately conjure images of models like the RX-7 and RX-8. Especially the latter since, save for the Japanese market-only Spirit R special, the RX-8 has being discontinued for the rest of the world.

Mazda has already confirmed that it is not giving up on the rotary engine that has become synonymous with its larger rear-wheel drive coupes.

Arguably, the Takeri concept is Mazda’s most important attraction at this week's Tokyo Motor Show. Intended to showcase the styling of the Mazda6's replacement that is due in 2013, it adopts many elements of the new “Kodo” design introduced in the Shinari concept, which is also on display at the firm's Tokyo stand.

Powering the 4,850mm long four-door sedan study is the new SKYACTIV-D 2.0-liter diesel engine linked to the firm's new 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Takeri is also fitted with Mazda’s i-stop idling stop system and a unique regenerative braking system called ‘i-ELOOP’ (Intelligent Energy Loop). The i-ELOOP is billed as the world’s first kinetic energy recovery system that uses a capacitor and a 25V to 12V alternator instead of a traditional battery pack.

Regenerative braking systems that store energy into batteries during braking are becoming increasingly common in new cars because they help reduce fuel consumption.

Today, Mazda presented what it claims to be the world’s first passenger vehicle regenerative system that uses a capacitor instead of a battery pack for storing energy, named i-ELOOP (“Intelligent Energy Loop”).

We'll get our first taste of what Mazda has in store for us in the mid-size family car segment at this month's 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show with the Takeri concept, which previews the next generation of the Mazda6.

However, the Japanese brand's engineers have already began work on the sedan model as you can see from these fresh spy shots that were taken in Germany.

A keen eye will immediately recognize that the lines of the prototype belong the current Mazda6. That's because what you see here is an early test mule that combines the next model's platform architecture with the body panels of the current Mazda6.

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.

Power is the name of the game when it comes to UK tuning firm BBR that has just released a newly developed range of engine and suspension upgrade packages for the Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS models (named MAZDASPEED3 and MAZDASPEED6 respectively in North America).

Since the two Mazda models are powered by the same 2.3-liter turbocharged four-pot, BBR's engine kits apply to both vehicles.

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 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.