Mazda’s X-Coupe Idea Appears Like A Trendy RX-8 With A Plug-In Hybrid Rotary

• The Mazda Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe idea was revealed on the Japan Mobility Present 2025.
• The four-door showcar has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that integrates an electrical motor and a two-rotor rotary engine.
• Completed in a shiny silver, the hanging idea appears to be like like a contemporary reinterpretation of Mazda’s final rotary-powered automotive, the RX-8.

The Japanese sports activities automotive scene has been inundated with rumors in regards to the potential return of a rotary-powered Mazda for years. Nicely, now the automaker itself is including a good bit of gas to that fireside as a result of it simply unveiled a rotary-powered, plug-in hybrid idea automotive that appears just like the pure successor to the RX-8, its final rotary-powered manufacturing automotive.

Dubbed the Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe, the place the X is pronounced as “cross,” the hanging showcar has 4 doorways and 4 seats, identical to the RX-8 that was discontinued in 2012. This time, nevertheless, the rear doorways are full-length, as an alternative of the half-doors of the RX-8, and the two-rotor Wankel engine below the hood will get help from an electrical motor.

Picture by: Mazda

In keeping with Mazda, the PHEV idea can drive as much as 99 miles (160 kilometers) on a full battery, whereas the full driving vary goes as much as 497 miles (800 kilometers). Energy-wise, the attractive four-seater places down 503 horsepower.

As with all plug-in hybrids, when the battery runs out–or the motive force desires to make use of all of the obtainable energy–the gasoline engine kicks in. In contrast to different PHEVs, nevertheless, the Mazda X-Coupe idea’s combustion engine was designed to run on carbon-neutral gas made out of microalgae. Per the carmaker, as microalgae develop, they seize carbon dioxide and retailer oil of their cells.

That oil can then be extracted and refined into carbon-neutral gas, and Mazda says it has efficiently produced over a liter of gas from an 11,000-liter tradition tank in about two weeks. For context, that algae tradition might match inside a concrete mixer truck, whereas the ensuing gas might fill three 13-oz mugs. That’s not precisely environment friendly, however the upside is that the byproduct can be utilized to make meals merchandise or natural fertilizer.

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Supply: Mazda

Measuring 198.8 inches (5,050 millimeters) lengthy, the Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe idea is roughly 7 inches (177 millimeters) longer than the discontinued Mazda6 mid-size sedan, so it’s not precisely small. It options an evolution of the model’s Kodo design language, with an aggressive headlight design and taillights that appear embedded within the physique.

Inside, there’s an enormous panoramic show within the dashboard and a easy three-dial gauge cluster paying homage to the RX-8. A easy spherical gear selector that features a guide mode sits on the massive heart console, between the entrance seats. Rear passengers get two particular person seats, identical to the RX-8.

The Mazda Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe was revealed on the Japan Mobility Present 2025 alongside one other showcar known as the Imaginative and prescient X-Compact, which appears to be like like a contemporary Mazda2 hatchback.

Each are ideas, which suggests they’re not precisely prepared for prime time. That stated, Mazda might deliver a number of the design cues and technical specs to its subsequent manufacturing automobiles. Or it might do what Renault did with the Renault 5, and simply ship the tasks straight to the meeting strains.