How the Mazda RX-7 Became a Legend

Some cars are born to be legends. They have a unique personality, a distinctive style, and a remarkable performance that set them apart from the rest. They are cars that make history, and they are cars that make us dream. The Mazda RX-7 is one of those cars. It is a car that defined a generation of sports cars, and it is a car that challenged the status quo. It is a car that showed the world what a rotary engine can do, and it is a car that delivered a driving experience like no other. The Mazda RX-7 is a car that has a legacy that lives on.

The Original: The SA/FB

The story of the RX-7 begins in 1978, when Mazda introduced the first generation of its new sports car, the SA or FB. It was a two-seater hatchback coupe that looked like nothing else on the road. It had a sleek and aerodynamic design, with a long hood, a short rear, and a distinctive glass hatch. It was a car that turned heads, and it was a car that was ready to race.

But the real magic of the RX-7 was under the hood. It was powered by a rotary engine, a type of engine that Mazda had been developing and perfecting since the 1960s. A rotary engine is an engine that uses a triangular rotor instead of pistons to create power. It has fewer moving parts, less vibration, and more compactness than a conventional engine. It also has a high power-to-weight ratio, a smooth and linear power delivery, and a distinctive sound. A rotary engine is an engine that is different, and an engine that is fun.

The RX-7 had a 1.1-liter or a 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine, depending on the market and the year. It produced between 100 and 135 horsepower, which may not sound like much by today’s standards, but it was enough to propel the RX-7 to a top speed of over 120 mph and a 0-60 mph time of around 9 seconds. The RX-7 was also light and agile, weighing less than 2,500 pounds and having a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The RX-7 was a car that handled like a dream, and it was a car that was fun to drive.

The RX-7 was also a car that was successful in motorsports, winning several championships and races in various categories. It dominated the IMSA GTU class, winning 100 races and 12 titles between 1979 and 1985. It also won the 24 Hours of Spa in 1981, the British Touring Car Championship in 1980 and 1981, and the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1983. The RX-7 was a car that proved its worth, and it was a car that earned respect.

The first-generation RX-7 was a car that was a hit, selling more than 470,000 units worldwide. It was a car that established the RX-7 as a sports car icon, and it was a car that set the stage for the next generation.

The Evolution: The FC

The second generation of the RX-7, the FC, debuted in 1985 and was a more mature and refined version of the original. It was a car that grew up, but it was also a car that stayed true to its roots.

The FC was offered as a two-seater or a 2+2 coupe, as well as a convertible. It had a more modern and elegant design, with a smoother and rounder shape, a larger glass area, and a retractable rear spoiler. It was a car that looked more sophisticated, and it was a car that was more comfortable.

The FC was also powered by a rotary engine, but it was a more advanced and powerful one. It was a 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine that was available in naturally aspirated or turbocharged versions, delivering between 146 and 202 horsepower. The turbocharged version, known as the Turbo II, was especially impressive, featuring a sequential twin-turbo system that reduced turbo lag and increased boost. The Turbo II was a car that achieved a 0-60 mph time of less than 7 seconds and a top speed of over 150 mph. The FC was also equipped with a more sophisticated suspension system, electric power steering, and an optional adaptive suspension. The FC was a car that performed better, and it was a car that handled better.

The FC was also a car that continued to excel in motorsports, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1988 and the IMSA GTU championship in 1989 and 1990. It also won the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1987 and 1988, the British Touring Car Championship in 1986, and the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1986 and 1987. The FC was a car that showed its versatility, and it was a car that showed its dominance.

The second-generation RX-7 was a car that was a success, selling about 270,000 units worldwide. It was a car that improved the RX-7 in every aspect, and it was a car that raised the bar for the next generation.

The Masterpiece: The FD

The third and final generation of the RX-7, the FD, was launched in 1991 and was a radical departure from the previous models. It was a car that reinvented the RX-7, and it was a car that redefined the sports car.

The FD was a pure sports car, with a stunning design that featured pop-up headlights, a low-slung body, and a large rear spoiler. It was a car that looked like a supercar, and it was a car that was a work of art.

The FD was also powered by a rotary engine, but it was a more refined and potent one. It was a 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine that was equipped with a sequential twin-turbo system, producing 255 horsepower in the US market and 276 horsepower in the Japanese market. The FD was also lighter and more rigid than its predecessors, thanks to the use of aluminum and carbon fiber components. The FD was a car that accelerated faster, and it was a car that cornered harder.

The FD was praised for its performance, handling, and aesthetics, and it was compared to supercars like the Ferrari 348 and the Acura NSX. The FD was also featured in popular culture, appearing in movies like The Fast and the Furious and Initial D. The FD was a car that captured the imagination, and it was a car that inspired a cult following.

However, the FD also faced challenges, such as high maintenance costs, reliability issues, and strict emissions regulations. As a result, the FD was discontinued in the US market in 1995 and in the Japanese market in 2002. Only about 68,000 units of the FD were sold worldwide.

The third generation RX-7 was a car that was a masterpiece, but it was also a car that was a swan song. It was a car that ended the RX-7 saga, and it was a car that left a legacy that lives on.

The Legacy: The RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 is a car that has left a lasting impression on the automotive industry and the enthusiasts who love it. It is a car that showcased the potential and the charm of the rotary engine, and it is a car that delivered a thrilling driving experience that few others could match. The RX-7 is a car that deserves to be remembered and celebrated as a masterpiece of engineering and design. It is a car that has a legacy that lives on.