--- title: "Mazda Teases Its First Turbocharged Rotary Since the FD RX-7" date: "2025-10-28" modified: "2025-10-28" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/mazda-teases-its-first-turbocharged-rotary-since-the-fd-rx-7" categories: - "Mazda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Concept Cars" - "Coupe" - "Hybrid cars" - "luxury" - "mazda" - "sports car" --- # Mazda Teases Its First Turbocharged Rotary Since the FD RX-7 ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() Ever since the RX-8 was (rather unceremoniously) put out to pasture, [Mazda]() has been telling anyone who will listen that the rotary engine is still alive and well deep within the bowels of R&D. It has been pitched as a hydrogen-burning engine, [a range-extender for an EV]() that even made it to market, and as a good, old-fashioned, internal-combustion gasoline engine. I sometimes get the impression that Mazda engineers celebrate rotary pitches much [the same way Hobbits celebrate breakfasts](). You've had one, yes... As has been the case virtually every time, this incarnation—named the Mazda Vision X-Coupe—is a little bit different. While Mazda has already gone down the range-extended EV rabbit hole (hobbit hole?), we've yet to see a "traditional" plug-in hybrid. So, uh, why not? The absence of a rotary in the lineup is far from the only thing distinguishing Mazda's 2025 lineup from that of 2010. The company has shed its more mainstream marketing strategy (R.I.P. Zoom-Zoom) in favor of a more upscale approach. ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() As a result, most of its cars, while certainly competent, are frankly a bit boring compared to their predecessors. The Vision X-Coupe, however, is not meant to be merely a [mildly athletic hybrid](). Instead, Mazda went hard on performance. This turbocharged two-rotor, when paired with the electric motor, puts out more than 500 horsepower combined. If built, it would be the most powerful production Mazda engine by a pretty decent margin. ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() **Joel Feder** If the whole two-rotor hybrid thing is ringing a bell, that's because we've seen something along these lines fairly recently: the [Iconic SP Concept](). And bluntly, the Iconic SP was a stunner. Comparing the Vision X-Coupe to that low-slung red coupe is simply unfair to this bulky, silver four-door. That said, given what we've heard about [Mazda, Toyota, and the next-generation Miata](), we wouldn't be surprised if the Iconic SP hinted more at the next-gen roadster than a fixed-roof rotary coupe. ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() ![Mazda Vision X-Coupe]() *Ignore the magical disappearing B-pillar. *Mazda** The Vision X-Coupe leans more toward the on-off rumors we've heard about a revived, rear-wheel-drive Mazda6. With four real doors (R.I.P. RX-8) and its open, airy cabin, it doesn't exactly scream "lightweight sports coupe," even if the rotary does its part to keep curb weight in check. Mazda says the only thing standing between it and [building a new rotary-powered enthusiast car]() is a business case. Simple enough, right? Hey, we've been hearing *that* for 15 years, too. *Got a news tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com.* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()