Mazda Vision X-Coupe – rotary PHEV with Mazda 3 styling, 510 PS, 160 km EV range, 800 km total

The world may be going electric (depending on who you ask), but Mazda is staying true to its roots with the debut of the Vision X-Coupe at the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) today. This sleek fastback will be music to the ears of enthusiasts because not only is this thing powered by petrol, but it also features a rotary engine!

Yes, you read that right – the Vision X-Coupe uses a twin-rotor mill for the first time since the RX-8 was discontinued 13 years ago. Here, it’s paired with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, altogether producing a stout 510 PS and delivering a pure electric range of 160 km and a total range of 800 km.

Plus, unlike the MX-30 R-EV and 2023’s Iconic SP concept, the Wankel engine isn’t relegated to range extender duty, as it looks to also be connected to the driven wheels. As you can see in the images, the Vision X-Coupe not only shows a rev counter but also a sequential shifter on the gearlever, hinting at an actual multi-speed transmission.

Mazda says the Vision X-Coupe is able to run on carbon-neutral fuel produced by microalgae through the company’s proprietary Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture technology. This means the car will be able to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide the more it is driven, Hiroshima claims.

Design-wise, the Vision X-Coupe has shades of Mazda 3, particularly with its long nose, cab-rearward proportions, voluptuous rear fenders and a thick, steeply-raked rear windscreen. The front end sports the latest evolution of Mazda’s Kodo design language, with a body-coloured front fascia and vertical daytime running lights in place of the usual five-point grille. Slit-like headlights and a downturned air intake add to the car’s aggressive, focused look.

The rear, meanwhile, plays host to arguably the most bizarre design cue seen on a Mazda to date – taillights seemingly scrawled onto the upswept rear deck. They flank a tiny tailgate and a U-shaped rear windscreen that surely offers negligible rearward visibility.

Thankfully, the interior is more in keeping with the brand’s high standards, with four individual bucket seats, a minimalist design and tasteful use of grey and green upholstery. The driver is faced with a sporty (and thankfully still round) three-spoke steering wheel and round binnacles for the digital gauges, while a large wide infotainment display spans the centre and passenger side. The tall centre console cocoons the front occupants and is topped by a ball-shaped shifter.

Mazda has been talking about reviving its RX line of rotary sports cars for a while now, and the debut of the Vision X-Coupe suggests we’re closer to that than ever before. Then again, Tokyo Big Sight has been the sight of many false dawns from the company over the years, so we’ll take it with a big pinch of salt.

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