Japanese famous car Mazda RX-7.
16 May 2022
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The RX-7 is the only sports car in Japan developed and sold by Mazda equipped with a rotary engine. It was sold from 1987 to 2002 and underwent two full model changes.
The name of the RX-7 comes from the rotary engine "R", the symbol "X" that symbolizes the future, and the in-house development code "7".
The "Savannah RX-7" SA22C type, which is the first RX-7, appeared in 1978. The latter half of the 1970s was a time of great turmoil in the Japanese economy, with the first and second oil shocks occurring. In Japan, emission regulations have become stricter due to the influence of the US Musky Act. Under these circumstances, sports cars that use gasoline seemed like a dream. Under such circumstances, the first Savannah RX-7 was created with the concept of "pursuing the enjoyment of driving."
The first generation RX-7 was designed with a low center of gravity and was built with extreme consideration for athletic performance as a sports car. It had a low hood and was equipped with a lightweight, compact rotary engine. Utilizing technology developed through racing the Savanna GT and Capella, the RX-7's suspension was strut type at the front and a watt-link structure at the rear to achieve a nimble driving feel.
Initially, the engine was a 12A type water-cooled 2-rotor engine NA specification with a single room volume of 573cc x 2, but after that, a turbo specification of 165ps was added with a minor change in 1983.
In addition, in the race, the weight of the vehicle was overwhelmingly lighter than that of other companies, which realized tremendous acceleration, and in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the United States, we achieved a feat such as winning the class while participating for the first time.
The second generation RX-7 FC3S type appeared in October 1985.
The platform has been completely redesigned from its predecessor and has been developed based on the newly developed Mazda FC platform. The rear suspension has been independently suspended to become a semi-trailing arm multi-link. In addition, the engine changed from the 12A type to the 13B type turbo with an intercooler, and in the latter model, the output improved to 215ps.
In addition, the word "4WS feeling", which was popular at the time, was used for the catch phrase.
The 3rd generation RX-7 FD3S type appeared in 1991. Taking this full model change as an opportunity, the name of "Savannah" that lasted for 20 years from 1971 was removed, and the car name was changed to "Mazda RX-7".
The exterior Advertising slogan was "The Sports Car" and "The Rotary Sports". In addition to the sleek styling with retractable headlights, it is a model packed with domestic sports cars and pure sports commitments such as a low bonnet hood, a small narrowed-down cabin, flat tires and tight front and rear fenders.
As for the engine, a 13B-REW type rotary engine with a single room volume of 654cc x 2 was installed, and it boasted a high output of 280ps by adopting a sequential twin turbo next to Eunos Cosmo.
In addition, it is a model that has been adopted as a high-speed police car with radar and attracted attention. It is now stored for events.
It continued to evolve as a sports car until 2002, but unfortunately it ended in August 2002 with the history of the RX-7, which lasted for 24 years.
I would like to ride the RX-7, which has been a pure sport, if I have the opportunity.