At the Japan Mobility Show 2025 (JMS2025), Mazda unveiled its new-generation design vision, the MAZDA VISION X-COUPE, for the first time in the world. The innovative concept car, which combines a two-rotor rotary turbo engine with a plug-in hybrid system, has attracted a great deal of attention. In this article, we take a closer look at the vehicle on display, providing a thorough explanation of its appeal, features, advantages, and disappointments.
What is the Mazda Vision X-Coupe? Basic specifications and overview
MAZDA VISION X-COUPE
Body size and basic configuration
- Total length x width x height : 5,030mm x 1,995mm x 1,480mm
- Wheelbase : 3,080mm
- Powertrain : 2-rotor rotary turbo engine + plug-in hybrid system
- Maximum power output : 510PS
- Range : 160km with motor only, 800km with engine
The VISION X-COUPE is positioned as a “vision model” that indicates the next-generation design direction for Mazda as a whole. Rather than being a successor to a specific vehicle model, it is a concept car that will serve as “episode 0” for the eighth-generation product group, marking the starting point for the evolution of design.
Appeal and features of the exterior design
MAZDA VISION X-COUPE
A new design technique called “Solid Move”
The VISION X-COUPE adopts a new design technique called “Solid Move,” which expresses movement through the shape of the entire body itself, rather than the “reflection” used in the seventh-generation product line to express movement.
The aesthetic of minimalism has been further developed than ever before, and the car has a beauty that is difficult to convey in photos or videos and can only be appreciated by seeing it in person.
Premium length and elegant silhouette
The front bonnet is extremely long, adopting proportions known as “premium length.” Taking advantage of the compactness of the two-rotor engine, the engine is positioned towards the center of the vehicle, achieving a low center of gravity and a sporty style.
The side view has a sleek design that could be described as a four-door coupe or fastback style. The quarter pillar treatment reminiscent of the Mazda3 and the roofline that flows to the rear are impressive. Despite its large size of over 5m in length and nearly 2m in width, it features a beautiful silhouette that doesn’t feel bulky.
An innovative approach to the front face
The iconic “Signature Wing” grille of previous Mazda models is now completely covered in the same color as the body and has an enclosed design. This takes advantage of the characteristics of a plug-in hybrid, and by consolidating openings to a minimum, it achieves both aerodynamic performance and cooling efficiency.
The headlights feature a long, narrow double design, with distinctive daytime running lights that extend from the lights to the bottom of the body. This is an advanced design that is typical of a concept model.
Rear view beauty
MAZDA VISION X-COUPE
The rear design is particularly beautiful, with rear combination lamps built into the sleek design. The design process makes the rear doors almost invisible, emphasizing the sporty look of a coupe.
Body color “Glass Silver”
The VISION X-COUPE comes in a new body color called “Glass Silver,” which aims for the ultimate in transparency. Mazda is currently focusing on the “material” rather than the color when planning and developing body colors, and Glass Silver is in line with this policy.
The charm of interior design
A high-quality space with a green theme
MAZDA VISION X-COUPE
The interior is based on green, a first for a KODO concept car. The door trim is made from fast-growing trees (which absorb CO2 during their growth process), and the white parts of the seats are made from a material that incorporates oyster shells, making it a distinctive feature of the car’s sustainable materials.
Advanced cockpit design
MAZDA VISION X-COUPE
While based on a driver-oriented approach, the design combines a mechanical impression with a cutting-edge approach, such as a steering column with a cylindrical shape and a three-eye LCD meter.
Although it is equipped with a large horizontal display, the meter has a three-eye analog design, which is typical of Mazda. However, the display itself is LCD, and you can enjoy dramatic changes when it starts up.
Sheets and Materials
The front seats are semi-bucket type with a sporty design that emphasizes support. The combination of green and black with metallic accents is striking.
The rear seats are two independent bucket seats, ensuring a firm hold even in the back seat. The seat ventilation mark can be seen at the rear end of the center console, showing that every detail has been carefully crafted.
Powertrain and Environmental Technology
2-rotor rotary turbo engine + PHEV
The biggest feature of the VISION X-COUPE is the combination of a two-rotor rotary turbo engine and a plug-in hybrid system. Unlike the single-rotor generator engine installed in the previous MX-30, this is planned to be used as a direct drive (direct connection) .
It has a maximum output of 510PS, and a range of 160km on the motor alone, or 800km when used in conjunction with the engine, ensuring practicality.
CO2 capture technology “Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture”
Even more revolutionary is the inclusion of Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture, a technology that captures CO2 from exhaust gases while driving. Combined with carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae, the car aims to achieve “carbon negative,” reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions the more it is driven.
Microalgae (Nannochloropsis) absorb CO2 through photosynthesis and produce oils, which are then used to refine fuel. Approximately 20% of the CO2 emitted during driving is captured, and the captured CO2 is then used again to cultivate microalgae and promote the growth of crops, creating a sustainable cycle.
Advantages
1. Sophisticated design with minimalist aesthetics
The Solid Move, stripped of unnecessary decoration and expressing beauty through the body’s shape itself, has an overwhelming presence when you see the actual car. The beauty of the surfaces changes depending on the angle from which you view it, something that is difficult to convey in photos or videos, truly embodies the Japanese aesthetic sense.
2. The revival and evolution of the rotary engine
The revival of Mazda’s iconic rotary engine in a way that combines environmental friendliness and driving performance is highly commendable. The direct drive allows for the possibility of enjoying the smooth rotation feel and unique sound that are unique to rotary engines.
3. Advanced environmental technology
Its carbon-negative stance, including CO2 capture technology and microalgae-derived fuel, is cutting-edge even within the automotive industry. This technology embodies the theme, “The joy of driving brings a smile to the Earth.”
4. Interior texture and sustainable materials
The green-based interior is fresh and the use of sustainable materials such as oyster shells and fast-growing wood ensures a high-quality finish.
5. Rational packaging
Taking advantage of the compactness of the two-rotor engine, the packaging emphasizes a low center of gravity and driving performance, a typical Mazda approach in pursuit of “driving pleasure.”
Disappointments and issues
1. The front grille design is controversial
Some say that the front grille, covered in the same color as the body, looks like a mask. Fans who are used to the traditional signature wing may find it a little disappointing. According to the designer, it is rational from the standpoint of aerodynamics and cooling efficiency, but design preferences will be divided.
2. Technical hurdles to practical application
CO2 capture technology and microalgae fuel are still in the demonstration experiment stage, and issues such as cost and practicality remain before they can be commercialized. In particular, the key is how to reduce the production costs of microalgae fuel.
3. Meets environmental standards for rotary engines
The rotary engine faces the challenge of meeting exhaust gas regulations, and further development time is needed to maintain the rotary’s distinctive appeal while complying with global environmental standards.
4. Price Concerns
Considering the advanced technology and luxurious packaging, the price is expected to be quite high when it is released to the market, and it is unclear whether it will be within the price range that Mazda fans can afford.
5. Uncertainty due to the vision model
This is merely a “vision model,” and the design and specifications will not be put on the market as is. Like the RX-VISION and VISION COUPE, the concept was great, but mass-produced vehicles were mainly SUVs, so some fans are concerned that a coupe might not be released after all.
What we learned from interviews with designers
At the venue, we had the opportunity to speak directly with Mr. Iwao, who was in charge of the design, and learned the following interesting information:
- Design direction : Based on the theme of “Neo-Centric,” the car recreates the beauty and authenticity of a genuine automobile with a modern sensibility.
- Front opening : It is easier to manage cooling by concentrating it in one place, so it is okay if it is small.
- Glass Silver : A color developed with an emphasis on the texture of the material, aiming for the ultimate in transparency.
- Future developments : We plan to start with Episode 0 and evolve from there.
The designer himself is a big car enthusiast, and his passion for the rotary engine was palpable.
Possibility of commercialization and future prospects
Although the VISION X-COUPE is merely a vision model, there is information that Mazda is considering putting it on the market around 2026. However, rather than releasing it as is, it is highly likely that this design language and elements will be rolled out to future product lines.
MAZDA ICONIC SP
Of particular note are the following:
- Relationship with ICONIC SP : Possibility of sharing the platform and engine with ICONIC SP, which is also planned to be equipped with a rotary engine
- Successor to the MAZDA6 class : Due to its size, it will be developed as a 4-door coupe or shooting brake of the MAZDA6 class.
- The revival of the Rotary Sports : a potential successor to the RX-9 and RX-7
Mazda announced the development of a two-rotor rotary engine at a workshop in May 2024, and is steadily moving forward toward commercialization.
summary
The MAZDA VISION X-COUPE is an ambitious concept car that shows Mazda’s vision for the future of cars. It is packed with many appealing features, including a sophisticated design based on the aesthetic of minimalism, the return of the rotary engine, and environmental technology that aims to be carbon negative.
While the advantages of the rotary engine include its sophisticated design, advanced environmental technology, and the evolution of the rotary engine, the challenges include the technical hurdles to commercialization, the cost, and the uncertainty of commercialization.
However, I highly commend Mazda for clearly showing this vision and for developing the technology to make it a reality. I hope that one day the message “The joy of driving brings a smile to the Earth” will be truly realized.
If you have the opportunity to see the VISION X-COUPE in person at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, be sure to visit. You’ll be able to experience the beauty and power of the actual car, something that can’t be conveyed through photos or videos.
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