Mazda’s done it again: the Vision X-Coupe is a 503bhp rotary-engined concept

Mazda has rich form when it comes to knocking out delightfully shaped concept cars, and this new one is no different. It’s called the Vision X-Coupe, and despite sounding like a superhero team, it is in fact a four-door, four-seat performance hybrid outputting a significant amount of power.

How significant? 503bhp. That’s thanks to a turbocharged rotary engine with twin-rotors – yay! – paired with an electric motor and a battery. Mazda has respectfully omitted any powertrain specifics – engine size, motor power, battery size, positioning, torque, 0-62mph, top speed – but has explained how far it’ll go.

Using just the juice from the battery to power the electric motor, it’ll run on for just under 100 miles (160km). Using that turbocharged rotary engine with twin rotors – yay! – and the motor/battery, max range is quoted as just shy of 500 miles.

Photography: Toby Thyer/manufacturer

Interestingly, Mazda reckons the Vision X-Coupe reduces atmospheric CO2 the more it is driven. This is achieved by – in Mazda’s words – “combining carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae with Mazda’s proprietary CO2 capture technology”.

That’s about all we’ve been given to go on, other than the styling which – says Mazda – is a further development of its longstanding ‘Kodo’ philosophy, and the size: it’s a big ‘un, a smidgen longer and taller than, say, something like an Aston Martin Vanquish. Bit narrower in the hips, mind. And then there's the whole four-door, four-seat thing.

“We remain committed to fulfilling the desire of those who love cars and wish to continue driving as long as possible,” said Mazda boss Masahiro Moro. Good. Build it now, please.