Mazda resurrects its cult-classic rotary with Tokyo concept cars

One of the world’s biggest cult cars, made famous by The Fast and The Furious film franchise is coming back in a huge way.

One of the world’s most famous engines looks set for a surprise return decades after it was left on the scrap heap.

Mazda’s renowned rotary sports car motor could hit the highway once more as a plug-in hybrid rocket ship.

Unveiled today in Tokyo, the Mazda Vision X-Coupe marks the long-awaited return of the unique engine that made the RX-7 a global hero and cult classic for car enthusiasts.

The Vision X-Coupe is a striking plug-in hybrid sports car that pairs a two-rotor rotary turbo engine with an electric motor and battery to produce about 375kW of power.

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Mazda’s Vision X-Coupe turned heads at the Japan Mobility Show, reviving the legendary rotary engine from the RX-7 in a hybrid super-coupe designed for a carbon-neutral future. Picture: Mazda

Paired by a two-rotor rotary turbo engine paired with electric motors, the Vision X-Coupe delivers 375kW and an 800km range. Picture: Supplied

The engine, famous for spinning rotors instead of conventional pistons, is a classic.

Having raced everywhere from Le Mans and Daytona to Bathurst and beyond, the RX-7 helped establish Mazda as a brand chosen by people who love to drive.

That sentiment was boosted by appearances in films such as the Fast and Furious franchise, where it starred in the original film before becoming the hero car in Tokyo Drift.

Mazda stopped using the engine because, while it was compact and capable of incredibly high revs, it was also thirsty and hard to meet modern emission standards.

But Mazda wants to bring it back.

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Interior of the Vision X-Coupe unveiled by Mazda at Japan Mobility Show. Picture: Supplied

The Vision X-Compact introduces Mazda’s “empathetic AI”, a system that can talk to drivers, remembers their habits and even sense their mood. Picture: Mazda

The coupe can travel up to 160 kms in electric only mode or as much as 800 kilometres when using both petrol and electric power.

It is designed to run on carbon-neutral fuel made from microalgae.

Mazda is also working toward a system that actual reduces carbon emissions while driving, known as Mazda’s Mobile Carbon Capture, a technology designed to actively reduce carbon emissions the more the car is driven.

Mazda chief executive officer Masahiro Moro explained that “every kilometre driven” can reduce CO2.

“Carbon-neutral fuel and carbon capture technology represents our future,” he said.

“The more you drive, the more fulfilling your journey becomes.”

Besides the coupe sits the Vision X-Compact and it couldn’t be more different.

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Small, curvy and charming, Mazda’s Vision X Compact shows the softer side of the brand's future Picture: Mazda

A charming and cute hatch, like something straight out of a Pixar film.

Mazda describes it as a car with a “warm presence”, at 3.8 metres long, it’s about the size of a Mazda 2 hatch but built on the brand’s new E/E Architecture+, which will underpin future EVs and hybrids.

Painted in Mazda’s signature red, the compact model is powered by empathetic AI that Mazda says can hold conversations, remember your favourite cafe, create playlists, and know when to stay silent.

It’s designed to make driving the best part of your day.

Interior of Mazda’s Vision X-Compact unveiled at Japan Mobility Show. Picture: Mazda

“It learns, understands and anticipates,” one Mazda designer said.

“It’s not science fiction, this is where Mazda is heading.”

Mazda says it’s designed to explore the bond between people and cars, likening it to a “heartfelt relationship” between driver and machine.

The show stopping duo were offer a glimpse at the brand’s future, one that’s about design, artificial intelligence and carbon-neutral technology.

Originally published as Mazda resurrects its cult-classic rotary with Tokyo concept cars