Mazda RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 was a Japanese vehicle manufactured by Mazda from 1979-2002. The vehicle was unique in that during its production, it was the only rotary engined car available. The vehicle has been very popular with import car tuners, as well as well as some autocross drivers.

See Wikicars' comprehensive  Review.

Recent Changes

 * In 2002, special edition model with special white pearl paint and black painted wheels was introduced. Engine- 1.3L rotary, transmission- 5 speed, 6 speed manual, 4 speed automatic.

Styles and Major Options
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Pricing
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Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine and Transmission
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Performance
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Reliability
Although there have been many complaints of overheating and premature engine wear, most well maintained examples can be reliable with over 150,000 miles. See Carsurvey.org for more reliability information and reviews

Safety
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Photos
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Colors

 * Innocent Blue Mica
 * Vintage Red
 * Brilliant Black
 * Highlight Silver Metallic
 * Chaste White
 * Snow White Pearl Mica

Main Competitors

 * Toyota Supra
 * Nissan Z Cars
 * Honda NSX

Hybrid Models
currently there isnt a hybrid rx7, but hopes are high with toyota returning the supra to the road as a hybrid. However there are hydrogen rotaries available from various performance shops. And also conversion kits. Some places to look include rotary response, RX7.com, mazdatrix, rotary shack, racing beat

Unique Attributes
The RX-7 uses the rotary engine comprised of 2 main rotors and an eccentric shaft, which acts like the crankshaft of a normal piston engine. Unique to rotary engines, each rotor is a traingle, which rotates around the oval shaped crankcase. Each rotor makes intake, combustion, and exhaust stroke all at nearly the same time. All rotary engines have a leading and trailing spark plug to help combustion thruogh the long cumbustion chamber. Due the the exremely compact size of these engines all rx7s have 50/50 weight distribution making handling phenomenal. These engines produce more power per pound than any other gas or hydrogen engine.

Interior
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Resale Values
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Criticisms
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Generations
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Final generation (January 1999– August 2002)
The series 8 was the final series, and was only available in the Japanese market. More efficient turbochargers were installed, while improved intercooling and radiator cooling was made possible by a revised frontal area. The seats, steering wheel, and front and rear lights were all changed. The rear spoiler was modified and gained adjustability. The top-of-the-line "Type RS" came equipped with a Bilstein suspension and 17" wheels as standard equipment, and reduced weight to 1280 kg (2822 lb). Power was 280 PS (206 kW/276 hp), with 313.8 N·m (231 lb·ft) of torque as per the maximum Japanese limit. The Type RZ version included all the features of the Type RS, but at a lighter weight (at 1270 kg). It also featured custom gun-metal colored BBS wheels and a custom red racing themed interior. Further upgrades included a new 16-bit ECU and ABS system upgrades. The improved ABS system worked by braking differently on each wheel, allowing the car better turning during braking. The effective result made for safer driving for the average buyer. Easily the most collectible of all the RX-7s was the last 1,500 run-out specials. Dubbed the "Spirit R", they combined all the "extra" features Mazda had used on previous limited-run specials and all sold within days of being announced. They still command amazing prices on the Japanese used car scene years later.

- There are three kinds of "Spirit R": the "Type A", "Type B", and "Type C". The "Type A" has a 5-speed manual transmission, and is said to have the best performance of the three models. The "Type B" has a 2+2 seat configuration and also sports a 5-speed manual transmission. The "Type C" is also a 2+2, but has a 4-speed automatic transmission. Clarification of the build number breakdown for each type is sought as Mazda hasn't publicly published the production figures.

There is also a "Touring Model" which includes a sun roof, and Bose stereo system. Compared to the R1 and R2 which both don't have a moon roof, and they have an extra front oil cooler in the front bumper, and other race modification equipment

The third and final generation of the RX-7, FD (with FD3S for the JDM and JM1FD for the USA VIN), was an outright, no-compromise sports car by Japanese standards. It featured an aerodynamic, futuristic-looking body design (a testament to its near 11-year lifespan). The 13B-REW was the first-ever mass-produced sequential twin-turbocharger system to export from Japan, boosting power to 255 PS (188 kW/252 hp) in 1993 and finally 280 PS (206 kW/276 hp) by the time production ended in Japan in 2002.

The FD RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import\Domestic Car of the Year. When Playboy magazine first reviewed the FD RX-7 in 1993, they tested it in the same issue as the [then] new Dodge Viper. In that issue, Playboy declared the RX-7 to be the better of the two cars. It went on to win Playboy's Car of the Year for 1993. The FD RX-7 also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1993 through 1995, for every year in which it was sold state-side. June, 2007 Road&Track magazine proclaimed "The ace in Mazda's sleeve is the RX-7, a car once touted as the purest, most exhilarating sports car in the world.

The sequential twin turbocharged system was a very complex piece of engineering, developed with the aid of Hitachi and previously used on the domestic Cosmo series (JC Cosmo=90–95). The system was composed of two small turbochargers, one to provide torque at low RPM. The 2nd unit was on standby until the upper half of the rpm range during full throttle acceleration. The first turbocharger provided 10 psi (69 kPa) of boost from 1800 rpm, and the 2nd turbocharger was activated at 4000 rpm and also provided 10 psi. The changeover process, between 3500 rpm and 4000 rpm, provided 8 psi (55 kPa), was incredibly smooth, and provided linear acceleration and a very wide torque curve throughout the entire rev range.

Handling in the FD was regarded as world-class, and it is still regarded as being one of the finest handling and best balanced cars of all time. The continued use of the front-midship engine and drivetrain layout, combined with an 50:50 front-rear weight distribution ratio and low center of gravity made the FD a very competent car at the limits.

In North America, three models were offered; the "base", the touring, and the R models. The touring FD had a sunroof, leather seats, and a complex Bose Acoustic Wave system. The R (R1 in 1993 and R2 in 1994–95) models featured stiffer suspensions, an aerodynamics package, suede seats, and Z-rated tires.

Australia had a special high performance version of the RX-7 in 1995, dubbed the RX-7 SP. This model was developed as a homologated road-going version of the factory race cars used in the 12hr endurance races held at Bathurst, New South Wales, beginning in 1991 for the 1995 event held at Eastern Creek, Sydney, New South Wales. An initial run of 25 were made, and later an extra 10 were built by Mazda due to demand. The RX-7 SP produced 204 kW (274 hp) and 357 N·m (263 lb·ft) of torque, compared to the 176 kW (236 hp) and 294 N·m (217 lb·ft) of the standard version. Other changes included a race developed carbon fibre nose cone and rear spoiler, a carbon fibre 120 L fuel tank (as opposed to the 76 L tank in the standard car), a 4.3:1-ratio rear differential, 17 in diameter wheels, larger brake rotors and calipers. An improved intercooler, exhaust, and modified ECU were also included. Weight was reduced significantly with the aid of further carbon fibre usage including lightweight vented bonnet and Recaro seats to reduce weight to just 1218 kg (from 1310 kg). It was a serious road going race car that matched their rival Porsche 911 RS CS for the final year Mazda officially entered. The formula paid off when the RX-7 SP won the title, giving Mazda the winning 12hr trophy for a fourth straight year. A later special version, the Bathurst R, was released in 2001.

In the United Kingdom, for 1992, customers were offered only one version of the FD which was based on a combination of the US touring and base model. For the following year, in a bid to speed up sales, Mazda reduced the price of the RX-7 to £25,000, down from £32,000 and refunded the difference to those who bought the car before that was announced. The FD continued to be imported to the UK till 1995. In 1998, for a car that had suffered from slow sales when it was officially sold, with as surge of interest following its appearances in videogames such as Gran Turismo and the benefit of a newly introduced SVA scheme, which meant an influx of inexpensive Japanese imported cars, the FD would become so popular that there were more parallel and grey imported models brought into the country than Mazda UK had ever imported.

A common modification to the 3rd Gen RX-7 is the substitution of a 20B (2.0 litre) 3-rotor engine taken from the Eunos Cosmo in place of the stock 13B (1.3 litre) 2-rotor engine. Many aftermarket performance houses sell conversion kits with the 20B engine, such as Stillen and Pettit Racing. Such 3-rotor configurations typically produce 550 hp (410 kW) and a top speed of well over 200 mph (320 km/h). While critics claim that any 13B 2-rotor RX-7 can be highly tuned to achieve this level of performance, the difference is in daily drivability and reliability that makes the 20B conversion superior to the stock 13B motor at those high horsepower levels.

Fourth generation (1996–1998)
The fourth generation included minor changes to the car. Updates included a simplified vacuum routing manifold and a 16-bit ECU allowing for increased boost which netted an extra 10 PS (7 kW). In Japan, the Series 7 RX-7 was marketed under the Mazda brand name. The Series 7 was also sold in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Series 7 RX-7s were produced only in right-hand-drive configuration.

Third generation (1992–1995)
The third generation was exported throughout the world and had the highest sales. In Japan, Mazda sold the RX-7 through its Efini brand as the Efini RX-7. Only the 1993–1995 model years were sold in the U.S. and Canada. Series 6 came with 255 PS (188 kW/252 hp) and 294 N·m (217 lb·ft). In the UK only 124 examples of this model were sold through the official Mazda network, Only one spec. was available and this included twin oil-coolers, electric sunroof, cruise control and the rear storage bins in place of the back seats.

Second generation (1986–1991)
The second generation, grew heavier, retaining it's signature fantastic handling by adding a fully-independent rear suspension. The rear-end was controversial, but an engineering masterpiece. In order to make a 2+2 option available, trailing-arm was chosen over a double-wishbone. To avoid the problems typical of trailing arms (tail squat during acceleration, tail dive during braking) Mazda devised the Dynamic Tracking Suspension System utilizing floating "triaxial" hubs, which induced passive-steering (slight quicker "turn-in" of rear wheels at low speeds and better control during acceleration, braking and high-speeds). This passive-rear steer was popular in the late 80's (see 1988 Honda CRX Si) and was quickly followed by active-rear steering in subsequent Honda and Nissan cars until the present).

Styling of the 2nd gen was smooth, retaining pop-up headlamps with "flash-to-pass" lenses. A 2+2 option was finally available in the US and soon after introduction of the base (14-inch, four-lug wheels), Sport (15-inch alloys, firmer suspension) Luxury (14-inch alloys, sunroof) and GXL (15-inch alloys, adjustable CPU-controlled suspension, power windows, cruise), the 180hp, 183ft/lbs of torque "Turbo II" hit the streets. (The "Turbo I" was only available in Japan, the Turbo II in all markets.) A convertible model, with signature BBS wheels was introduced in 1988. In 1989 a "minor change" included round tail-lights and improvements to the 13b bringing power up on normally aspirated models from 146hp and 138ft/lbs of torque to 160hp and 140ftlbs of torque. The Sport became the GTUs the Luxury model was eliminated, but the GXL carried on with leather and 2+2 options. The Turbo now made 200hp and 196ft/lbs of torque and was shod with a 16-inch version of the ultra-light BBS of the convertible. In 1991 the line was simplified to the coupe, convertible and turbo. No RX-7's were manufactured in 1992, dealers selling off their stock of the 2nd gen until the more hard core and expensive 3rd gen finally replaced it.

First Generation/Origins (1979–1985)
The first generation rx7 was a light weight sport coupe. First offered with the all new 12a. The 12a was considerably improved over the firsth 10a rotaries. It featured a 4bbl niki carbueretor and 3mm apex seals. The 12a was significantly more powerful than the 10a at 101hp @ 6000rpm and 107ftlb@ 4000rpm. The new 12a would also make better emissions and cold starts. In 80 the rx7 began using a catalytic converter and a new capacitive discharge ignition system, making the car more reliable. In 84 two new versions of the rotary became available. In japan the 12a turbo model producing 165hp and a huge 160ftlb. And for the US an all new 6 port, fuel injected 13b, only offered in the gsl-se. Increased to 1.3 liters the new fuel injected engine would make 135hp@ 6000rpm and 133ftlb@ 2750rpm (jimrothe.com/mazdabrochures). The Rx7 was offered in a few pakages GS, GSL, GSL-se. Optional on first gens was power steering, a/c, cruise, graphic eq, am fm cassette, sunroof,

wider wheels, different ring and pinnion sizes and auto transmission. The gsl package came with 9 inch discs on the rear, while the SE came with slotted 10 inch discs. The se also got a beefier suspension, clutch and axles, and a luxery interior. Rx7s all began with a watt 4 link rear suspension. This left room to allow a 2+2 seating option as well. Overall weight of the car is around 2325 for a gs and 2575 for the gsl-se. All information in this first gen segment is cited directly from a mazda factory brochure. Have a look at jimrothe.com

Worldwide
The RX7 was available in Japan, Australia and the UK.

Design quirks and oddities
Mazda has made rotary pick ups as well.

Awards
IMSA/GTU champion 82-84