Mazda RX-7
Manufacturer:	Mazda
Class:	Sports car
Production:	1978–2002
Body Styles:	FR coupe
Predecessor:	Mazda RX-3
Successor:	Mazda RX-8
SA/FB
Missing image Rx7FB.jpg A first generation RX-7
Production:	1978–1985
Engines:	12A 13B-DEI (GSL-SE)
FC
Missing image Rx7FC.jpg A second generation RX-7 Turbo II
Production:	1986–1992
Engines:	13B-VDEI 13B-Turbo (Turbo II)
FD
Missing image Rx7FD.jpg Third-generation "FD" RX-7
Production:	1993–2002
Engines:	13B-REW
This article is part of the Mazda automobile series.

The Mazda RX-7 (also called the Savanna and Efini RX-7) is a Mazda sports car first built in 1978. The original RX-7 competed with other affordable sports cars of the era, such as the Datsun/Nissan 280Z, and was well received by the media. It features a unique twin-rotor 12A Wankel rotary engine and a sporty front-midship, rear wheel drive layout, making it well balanced and appropriate for drifting. The RX-7 was a direct replacement for the RX-3 (both were sold in Japan as the Savanna), but also indirectly replaced nearly every other rotary car made by the company since all but the Cosmo had been retired the previous year.

The RX-7 is a true sports coupe design, as opposed to a sports car like the Triumph TR6 or a saloon with sporting intentions. The relatively light Wankel engine was situated slightly behind the front axle. It was offered in America as a 2 seat coupe, with four seats being optional in Japan, Australia, and other parts of the world. The handling and acceleration of the car were noted to be of a high calibre for its day. The car went from 0-60 mph in 9.2 s, and could get 0.779 lateral Gs on the skidpad. The engine produced 100 horsepower (75 kW) @ 6000 rpm, allowing the car to reach speeds of over 120 mph (190 km/h). Because the engine was so smooth, with no excess vibration or harsh noise at high rpm, a buzzer was fitted to the tachometer to warn the driver when the 7000 rpm redline was approaching.

The RX-7 made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list five times.

Contents

1 First generation 2 Second generation 3 Third generation 4 Racing 5 Notes

First generation

Series 1 through 3 were the first generation of RX-7s. Series 1 refers to the "SA22C" cars, sold as 1979 and 1980 model years. Series 2 (from then on called "FB"s, referring to their vehicle identification number, which begins JM1FB) refers to the 1981-1983 model years, which had wraparound taillights and updated engine control components. The Series 3 refers to the 1984-1985 model years which featured an updated lower front fascia and different gauge display layout – 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 1.3L 13B-DEI engine and stronger drivetrain components.

Options and models vary 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 1st generation RX-7 with the Fuel injected 13B. Other countries got a turbocharged (but non-intercooled) 12A engine for the top end model. Additionally, the FB designation was only used in North America after the Department of Transportation mandated 17 digit Vehicle Identification numbers. Elsewhere in the world, the 1st generation RX-7 kept the SA22C designation.

In Japan, Mazda sold the RX-7 as the Savanna, replacing the RX-3.

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

Second generation

The second generation (the "FC", whose VIN begins JM1FC3) featured a complete restyling; some would say it resembled the Porsche 944. It had two series, from 1986-1988 (series 4) and 1989-1991 (series 5). The S4 came with a naturally aspirated fuel-injected 13B-VDEI producing 146 hp (108 kW). In 1987 a turbocharged model was introduced (the Turbo II) making 189 hp (141 kW). The S5 cars featured updated styling and better engine management, as well as lighter rotors and a higher compression ratio. The N/A S5 FC made 160hp (119 kW), while the S5 TII made 200 hp (149 kW).

The FC RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1986, and the Turbo was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for a second time in 1987.

While the SA22C/FB was a purer sports car, the FC tended toward the softer sport-tourer trends of its day. Handling was much improved, with none of the oversteer tendencies of the FB. Steering was firmer, with a Rack and pinion steering rack 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 FC was also the only RX-7 offered in a convertible format beginning in 1988. Rear seats were optional in some models of the FC RX-7, but aren't commonly found. Though it was heavier and more isolated than its predecessor, the FC won accolades from the press as well.

In Japan, Mazda sold the RX-7 as the Savanna through 1989, then renamed it the Savanna RX-7.

There was no US-market RX-7 in 1992.

Third generation

The third and final generation dispensed with the rear seats except in Japan, and featured an aerodynamic, futuristic-looking body design. The first-ever mass-produced sequential twin turbo system boosted power to 255 hp (190 kW) and finally 276 hp (206 kW, the unofficial Japanese government limit on engine power) by the time production ended in Japan, in 2002.

The FD RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1993. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1993 through 1995.

The sequential turbocharged system was a very complex piece of engineering, completely unique at the time. The system was comprised of the idea of one small turbocharger for down low in the rev range, to provide torque down low. The 2nd unit was larger, and was designed to only be used in the upper half of the rev range during full throttle acceleration. The first turbocharger provided 10psi of thrust from as little as 1800rpm, and the 2nd turbocharger was activated at 4800rpm and also provided 10psi. The changeover process was incredibly smooth, and provided linear acceleration and a very wide torque curve throughout the entire rev range.

The car is known as the FD (with JM1FD3 starting the VIN numbers). The FD RX-7 is a pure sports car, and borders on supercar status. In the US, three models were offered; the "base", the touring, and the R models. The touring FDs had sunroofs and Bose stereo systems. The R (R1 in 1993 and R2 in 1994-5) had stiffer suspensions and an optional aerodynamics package, as well as Z-rated tires.

Australia had a special high performance version of the RX-7, dubbed the RX-7 SP. This was developed locally in Australia as a modified version of the standard RX-7 and was used to provide road going versions of the race car used for the 24hr endurance race held at Bathurst, New South Wales in 1995. An initial run of 25 was made and later an extra 10 were built by Mazda due to demand. The RX-7 SP had 204 kW (273.6 hp) of power and 357 Nm (263.3 ft.lbf) of torque, compared to 176 kW (236 hp) and 294 Nm (216.9 ft.lbf) on the standard version. It also had many other changes, such as a high replacement rear wing, a 110 L fuel tank (as opposed to the 76 L tank in the standard car), a 4.3 diff ratio, 17 in wheels, larger rotors & brake calipers, improved intercooler & exhaust, and weight was reduced significantly with the aid of carbon fibre and a lightweight bonnet & seats to reduce weight to only 1218 kg (from 1310 kg).

Handling was absolutely outstanding in the FD, and it is still regarded as being one of the best-handling cars of all time. Acceleration was no less impressive. In fact, the 1993 RX-7 R1 bested the Acura NSX in every performance category, while costing over US$10,000 less. The car was sold only from 1993–1995 in the USA in its 255 hp (190.2 kW) form.

In Japan, Mazda sold the FD RX-7 through its Efini brand as the Efini RX-7 from 1991 to 1995, and then returned it to the Mazda brand. The RX-7 was updated for 1998 and production ended in August 2002. During the 1999 production year, the RX-7 found a 20th anniversary face lift with a new front bumper, tail lamps, and rear wing.

The 3rd generation car is also known by three different "series" which signify minor changes made to the car, however the basic package remained the same.

The Series 6 was the initial version and ran from 1992 to late 1995.

The Series 7 ran from early 1996 to late 1998. Changes were minor to this car, the main difference was a different ECU and a slightly better torque curve. The visual change was a different rear wing.

The Series 8 was the final version, and ran from 1999 until the car was discontinued in 2002 in Japan. This version had many changes, such as a redesigned twin turbo setup, which acted the same but did away with a lot of the mechanical complexity. The intercooling and radiator setup was greatly improved. The seats, steering wheel, rear & front lights were all changed. The rear wing was also changed, and the car shipped standard with 17 in wheels. Power was rated as 255 hp (190.2 kW) (with 310 Nm (228.7 ft.lbf) of torque) as per the maximum Japanese limit, however the real power was more likely 220-230 kW (290-308.4 hp). In stock trim and fitted with road tires, the Series 8 is capable of a 13.2 s 1/4 mile run.

Racing

Racing versions of the first-generation RX-7 were entered at the prestigious 24 hours of Le Mans endurance race. The first outing for the car, equipped with a 13B engine, failed by less than one second to qualify in 1979. The next year, a 12A car not only qualified but placed 21st overall. That same car did not finish in 1981, along with two more 13B cars. Those two cars were back for 1982, with one 14th place finish and another DNF. The RX-7 Le Mans effort was replaced by the 717C prototype for 1983.

Mazda began racing RX-7s in the IMSA GTU series in 1979. That first year, RX-7s placed 1st and 2nd at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and claimed the GTU series championship. The car continued winning, claiming the GTU championship seven years in a row. The RX-7 took the GTO championship ten years in a row from 1982. The RX-7 has won more IMSA races than any other car model.

The RX-7 also fared well at the SPA 24 Hours race. Three Savanna/RX-7s were entered in 1981. After hours of battling with BMW 530is and Ford Capris, the RX-7 driven by Pierre Dieudonne and Tom Walkinshaw won the event. Mazda had turned the tables on BMW, who had beaten Mazda's Familia Rotary to the podium eleven years earlier at the same event.

The RX-7 even made an appearance in the World Rally Championship. The car finished 11th on its debut at the RAC Rally in Wales in 1981. Group B received much of the focus for the first part of the 1980s, but Mazda did manage to place third at the 1985 Acropolis Rally, and the Familia 4WD claimed the victory at Swedish Rally in both 1987 and 1989.

Notes

Recently, Mazda has revived the rotary engine in the form of the RX-8, a sport sedan along the same vein as the Mazda Cosmo. Pending strong sales of the RX-8, Mazda has unofficially announced that it might consider making another RX-7 in 2006.

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