The Mazda RX-VISION has been awarded “Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year” at the 31st Festival Automobile International. First revealed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda’s striking rotary-powered sports car concept wowed crowds at its global debut with its exquisitely proportioned dimensions and stunning lines.

Representing a ‘vision’ of the future that could only come from Mazda, RX-VISION expresses Mazda’s determination to continue delivering convention-defying technology, that exemplifies Mazda’s challenger spirit.

A truly striking rendition of its KODO: Soul of Motion design philosophy, the smooth-flowing proportions scream performance while paying tribute to Mazda’s rich heritage of front engine, rear-wheel drive sports cars. Indeed, the rotary powertrain’s compactness makes characteristics like the low bonnet possible.

Nominated alongside the Bentley Exp10 Speed 6, Peugeot Fractal and Porsche Mission E at this year’s Festival Automobile International, it was the Mazda RX-VISION that was named “Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year”. Mazda’s international design chief, Ikuo Maeda accepted the award Tuesday evening together with Kevin Rice, Mazda’s European design director, Julien Montousse, his counterpart at Mazda North America, and Mazda designer Norihito Iwao.

This latest recognition is another honour for Mazda’s global design division, which took home three prizes in September at the Automotive Brand Contest 2015 including the prestigious “Team of the Year” award.

The RX-VISION will be on display at the Festival Automobile International’s concept car exhibition in Paris at the Hôtel National des Invalides until 31 January. The concept award goes to the vehicle that best embodies pure design creativity and emerging trends. It is one of four grand prizes at the annual event, with the winners chosen by a jury of experts and enthusiasts from the world of motorsports, architecture, fashion and design.

Mazda RX-VISION: Selected specifications

Seating capacity 2 Overall length x width x height (mm) 4,389 x 1,925 x 1,160 Wheelbase (mm) 2,700 Engine SKYACTIV-R Powertrain layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive Tyre size (front / rear) 245/40 R20 / 285/35 R20 Wheel size (front / rear) 20 x 9.5J / 20 x 11J