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The Mazda Vision X-Coupe concept sees the return of rotary power, fuelled by the brand’s new carbon-neutral fuel.
Rotary power could make a return if the Mazda Vision X-Coupe concept is anything to go by.
The stunning four-door crossover coupe was unveiled at the 2025 Tokyo motor show as a showpiece for what Mazda refers to as "The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow".
Powered by a turbocharged twin-rotor engine paired with a single-motor plug-in hybrid electrical system, the Vision X-Coupe (X is pronounced 'cross') is said to offer 375kW combined output, an electric-only range of 160km, and a total range of up to 800km when running as a hybrid.
Furthermore, the rotary engine has been developed to utilise Mazda’s carbon-neutral microalge-based biofuel, and uses a proprietary carbon-dioxide capture technology called "Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture" to further reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide deposits while driving.
At 5050mm long and 1995mm wide, the silver Mazda Vision X-Coupe is almost as long as a CX-90 SUV (5120mm), and even has a similar wheelbase (3080mm vs 3120mm).
Although referred to as a crossover, the Vision X-Coupe is low (just 1480mm tall) and echos many design elements seen in existing Mazda road cars, like the rear haunches of the Mazda 3 hatch and familiar Kodo-design front clip.
Shown with a four-seat layout, the Vision X-Coupe is not the first stylish concept that Mazda has presented using a form of rotary power in recent times, with the 2015 RX-Vision two-door concept not even a dissimilar design to the new car.
The interior promotes a driver-centric cockpit, with traditional (albeit digital) dials, a dashboard-wide display, and a modern interpretation of a deep-dish steering wheel, harking back to other rotary-powered Mazdas like the RX-3.
Mazda currently uses an 800cc e-Skyactiv-R rotary engine as a range-extender in the compact hybrid MX-30 SUV in the Japanese and European markets.
With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
