Cars - Mazda RX-7

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	Cars - Mazda RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 (also called the Savanna and Efini RX-7) was a sports car that began production in 1978. The original RX-7 competed in the affordable sports car segment with the likes of the Datsun/Nissan 280Z. The styling was inspired by the Lotus Elan 2+2. It featured a unique twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine and a sporty front-midship, rear wheel drive layout, making it well balanced and appropriate for racing. The RX-7 was a direct replacement for the RX-3 (both were sold in Japan as the Savanna) and subsequently replaced all other Mazda rotary cars with the exception of the Cosmo.

The RX-7 was a true sports coupe design, as opposed to a sports car like the Triumph TR6 or a sedan with sporting intentions. The relatively light Wankel engine was situated slightly behind the front axle. It was offered in America as a two-seat coupe, with four seats being optional in Japan, Australia, and other parts of the world.

The RX-7 made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list five times. In total, 811,634 RX-7s were produced.

First generation

Series 1 (1979–1980) is referred to as the "SA22C".

Series 2 (1981–1983) had wraparound taillights, optional 4-wheel disc brakes and updated engine control components. The "FB" designation was only used in North America after the US Department of Transportation mandated 17 digit Vehicle Identification Numbers. Elsewhere in the world, the first generation RX-7 kept the SA22C designation.

Series 3 (1984–1985) featured an updated lower front fascia and different instrument cluster (the S3 RX-7 is the only rotary-engined car to not have a centrally mounted tachometer). The GSL-SE model (S3 only) had a fuel injected 1.3 L 13B-RESI engine, four-lug hubs with a more common bolt pattern in 4X114.3, a clutch-type rear LSD and stronger drivetrain components.

The handling and acceleration of the car were noted to be of a high caliber for its day. 12A-powered models accelerated from 0–60 mph in 9.2 s, and turned 0.779 lateral Gs on a skidpad. The 12A engine produced 100 hp (75 kW) @ 6000 rpm, allowing the car to reach speeds of over 120 mph (190 km/h). Because of the smoothness inherent in the Wankel rotary engine, little vibration or harshness was experienced at high rpm, so a buzzer was fitted to the tachometer to warn the driver when the 7000 rpm redline was approaching.

Options and models varied from country to country. The gauge layout and interior styling in the Series 3 was only changed for North American versions. Additionally, North America was the only market to have offered the first generation RX-7 with the fuel injected 13B. For other countries, Mazda used a turbocharged (but non-intercooled) 12A engine for the top-end model.

Sales were strong, with a total of 474,565 first generation cars produced; 377,878 were sold in the United States alone. In 2004, Sports Car International named this car #7 on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s. In 1983, the RX-7 would appear on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for the first time.

Second generation

Series 4 (1986–1988) was available with a naturally aspirated, fuel-injected 13B-VDEI producing 146 hp (108 kW). An optional turbocharged model, known as the Turbo II, had 189 hp (141 kW).

Series 5 (1989–1992) featured updated styling and better engine management, as well as lighter rotors and a higher compression ratio, 9.7:1 for the naturally aspirated model, and 9.0:1 for the turbo model. The Turbo II moniker was dropped, and the turbocharged model was simply dubbed Turbo. The naturally aspirated Series 5 FC made 160 hp (119 kW), while the Series 5 Turbo made 200 hp (147 kW).

The second generation RX-7 ("FC", VIN begins JM1FC3 or JMZFC1), still known as the "Savannah RX-7" in Japan, featured a complete restyling reminiscent of the Porsche 944. While the SA22/FB was a purer sports car, the FC tended toward the softer sport-tourer trends of its day. Handling was much improved, with less of the oversteer tendencies of the FB. Steering was more precise, with rack and pinion steering replacing the old recirculating ball steering of the FB. Disc brakes also became standard, with some models (S4: GXL, GTU, TII, Vert; S5: GTUs, TII, Vert) offering four-piston front brakes. The rear seats were optional in some models of the FC RX-7, but are not commonly found.

Though about 80 lb heavier and more isolated than its predecessor, the FC continued to win accolades from the press. The FC RX-7 was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1986, and the Turbo II was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for a second time in 1987.
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Cars - Mazda RX-7

First generation

Second generation

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