Mazda appears to be preparing the stage for a return of rotary power, if its newly revealed Vision X-Coupe concept is any indication. The sleek, dramatic four-door crossover coupe was showcased at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show, where it served not only as a design study but also as a statement of Mazda’s future direction. The company has described the concept as part of its philosophy, “The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow,” emphasizing that driving excitement and environmental responsibility can coexist.
Under the skin, the Vision X-Coupe features an innovative powertrain that combines a turbocharged twin-rotor rotary engine with a plug-in hybrid electric system driven by a single electric motor. Mazda claims the setup delivers an impressive total power output of around 375kW. On electric power alone, the vehicle is said to achieve up to 160km of driving range—significantly more than the electric range offered by most current plug-in hybrids. When the hybrid system is used in conjunction with the rotary engine, the driving range is reported to extend to approximately 800km in total, offering long-distance capability without compromising efficiency.
Even more noteworthy is Mazda’s use of advanced fuel and emissions technologies. The rotary engine in the Vision X-Coupe has been developed to run on the company’s own carbon-neutral biofuel derived from microalgae, aligning the vehicle with environmentally conscious energy sources. In addition, Mazda has integrated what it calls Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture, a system designed to help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while the vehicle is in operation. This illustrates Mazda’s commitment not only to low emissions, but to potentially reversing environmental impact.
In terms of size, the Vision X-Coupe measures 5050mm in length and 1995mm in width, placing it close to Mazda’s large CX-90 SUV in overall footprint (the CX-90 measures 5120mm). However, the Vision X-Coupe sits far lower at just 1480mm in height, giving it a sleek, coupe-like profile. Its wheelbase of 3080mm also nearly matches the CX-90’s, highlighting that while this concept is described as a crossover, it leans more toward a grand touring performance design rather than a traditional SUV stance. Stylistically, the concept incorporates several familiar Mazda design cues, such as the sculpted rear fenders reminiscent of the Mazda 3 and a refined interpretation of the brand’s Kodo design language up front.
Inside, the Vision X-Coupe is configured as a four-seater and centers the driving experience around the person behind the wheel. The interior features a low-slung, driver-oriented cockpit that blends traditional analogue-style gauges with a sweeping digital display that spans the dashboard. The steering wheel, with its deep-dish shape, nods to Mazda’s past rotary sports cars—including classics like the RX-3—while presenting a future-focused interpretation.
This is not the first time Mazda has explored rotary-based concept models in recent years. The Vision X-Coupe follows the 2015 RX-Vision concept, which also showcased Mazda’s ambitions for rotary technology in an elegant sports car design. Additionally, Mazda currently employs a small 800cc rotary engine as a range extender in the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R hybrid available in select European and Japanese markets. The Vision X-Coupe suggests that Mazda’s commitment to the rotary engine remains strong—and may soon evolve into something far more performance-oriented and globally significant.