Mazda Vision-X Coupe Previews A Future Model With Carbon Capture

Mazda has unveiled the new Mazda Vision-X Coupe at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Though it is yet another jab at a future rotary-powered model (come on, Mazda, we want actual cars, not just promises), the main highlight of the Vision-X Coupe is its beautiful segment-blurring design, as well as its ability to capture carbon dioxide.

You see, Japanese automakers have not fully committed to the electric vehicle (EV) path–choosing instead a more diversified multi-solution approach. For Mazda, this includes developments such as sustainable biofuels, carbon-neutral fuel, and, in this concept’s case, the development of a carbon capture device.

Think of a catalytic converter, but in this case, something that’s even more comprehensively engineered to pull carbon emissions out of the exhaust directly. How it works is still scarce at the moment, but the technology is similar to today’s atmospheric carbon-capture systems.

Unlike carbon capture for the atmosphere, Mazda’s execution means that the device has to deal with 350 times the carbon density of what’s present in the ambient atmosphere. Even with just a 10 percent capture rate, Mazda says that with its experimentation on algae-based e-fuels, the overall life cycle from fuel production to powering the vehicle is going to be carbon negative.

As for the carbon that gets filtered out through this technology, Mazda says it can be used for industrial purposes (I mean, carbon fiber ain’t cheap) or can be used to produce fertilizer.

Thankfully, this is going to be more than a promise as Mazda will use this technology for testing at the Super Taikyu endurance series in Japan with the Mazda 3 touring car.

Going back to the vehicle itself, the Mazda Vision-X Coupe features an evolution of the Kodo design we know and love today, but evolved to feature sexier proportions and cleaner lines. Amid the electrified era, Kodo, in this case, features an enclosed grille. The five-point winged grille bezel has been simplified to just two fang-like elements, while the side profile features a sloped roofline that leads to a teardrop-shaped rear end.

Moving towards the interior, the Vision-X Coupe features an interior that’s both modern and emotionally styled. Though a large infotainment screen runs from the middle to the front passenger’s area, the driver still gets three circular screens for the digital gauges. At least it’s not as boring as most interiors these days, where screens are simply tacked on with no sense of integration.

Now, the engine that the carbon capture technology is aiming to clean is a turbocharged rotary engine and an electric motor, which is mated to a large battery pack. The system output is 503 horsepower, while it has a pure electric range of 160 kilometers. As an efficient plug-in hybrid, it can supposedly travel up to 800 kilometers.

Photos by Julian Panlilio