The Rotary Returns – Mazda Reveals 503 HP Vision-X Coupe, But Don’t Get Too Excited

Just when we all thought the rotary was dead, Mazda just unveiled the Vision-X Coupe at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, and it’s certainly got people talking.

When I heard it’s got a turbocharged twin-rotor rotary engine, I started paying attention. Even more so when I heard it’s expected to have 503 horsepower in stock form. Sounds pretty sweet, huh?

As you’d expect, the futuristic, electrified four-door coupe has wacky modern styling, funky side mirrors (well, cameras), and no visible door handles.

While it looks like your typical next-gen concept that’ll never make production, they might eventually be bringing rotary power back to the roads (sometime after 2035).

However, at this point, you’re likely already clocking that this isn’t going to be the future of budget rotary drift cars (like the RX-8), but let’s take a look at what we know so far about the next-generation rotary.

What to expect from Mazda’s new rotary

If you’re hoping this will eventually bring us the next FD RX-7, brace yourself for disappointment. (If the lack of grille didn’t already give it away.)

While the Vision-X Coupe’s turbocharged twin-rotor rotary engine sounds epic at first glance, the excitement will be quickly killed when paired with the usual EV-style buzzwords such as ‘PHEV’ and ‘carbon capture technology’. Yay.

While the full capability is expected to be 503 horsepower, from what we’ve heard so far, it sounds like the rotary is there to help charge the batteries rather than for the tire-destroying rev-limiter bashing we’re used to. And good luck if you’re hoping to push out the crazy power figures we’re accustomed to from the legendary 13B-REW!

We never imagined we’d hear of rotary-powered cars “combining a carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae with Mazda’s proprietary CO2 capture technology”, yet here we are.

Mazda developed technology that captures CO2 directly from the exhaust and repurposes it for other uses. Pretty cool from an environmental standpoint, but not exactly what drift fans were hoping for.

It’s much bigger (and probably heavier) than it looks

At nearly 199 inches long, it’s far from small and nimble. For comparison, the RX-7 FD is under 170 inches.

If anything, it’s more similar to Mazda’s lesser-known 20B-powered JDM car, the Eunos Cosmo, since both are luxury rotary grand tourers. Given that the Cosmo is 189.6 inches, the Vision-X is still almost 10 inches longer.

As you probably guessed, the weight will likely be a far cry from the featherweight properties of old-school rotaries, especially once the batteries, electric motors, and whatever other modern gadgets and comfort features they throw into the massive cabin.

On top of that, while Mazda hasn’t officially confirmed the drivetrain, we’d put our money on it being all-wheel drive.

Don’t get your hopes up for an RX-9

Unfortunately, if you were hoping this could be the future Mazda RX-9 many are waiting for, you might want to reconsider. Once again, efficiency and economy are the main priorities, and the rotary, as we know it, will soon become a distant memory.

Recent developments have seen some insanely capable drift EVs surfacing, so perhaps all hope isn’t lost for electric sideways action in the future. Still, we doubt we’ll see the Vision-X Coupe becoming a top pick for drifters, even if it can claim supposed “rotary” bragging rights!