The MAZDA RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 is one of the most famous Japanese sports cars ever.  The sleekly styled two-door coupe featured a unique combination of a rotary engine, rear-wheel drive, and superb handling.  These features, combined with a very reasonable price for a sports car, made it an instant hit.

The Mazda RX-7 was available from 1979 to 1995, and went through three generations.  In each generation, the coupe was completely redesigned to keep on the cutting edge of performance and design.

The first generation of the Mazda RX-7, running from approximately 1979 to 1985, established the car as a small, light, fast sports coupe that handled well and was a lot of fun to drive.  It featured a 100-horsepower (hp) 1.1-liter Wankel rotary engine and a five-speed manual transmission.  Although not the most powerful engine on the planet, the Mazda RX-7's light curb weight, rigid chassis, and optimum 50/50 weight distribution gave the car fast acceleration and great handling.  A more powerful version, the GSL-SE, was released in 1984, replacing the original engine with an upgraded 135-hp 1.3-liter fuel-injected rotary engine.  This version of the Mazda RX-7 could go from 0-60 mph (0-96.5 kph) in under eight seconds.

The second generation of the Mazda RX-7, spanning 1986 ton 1992, completely redesigned the sports coupe from the bottom up.  This time, two models were available, the traditional Mazda RX-7 and the RX-7 Turbo.

The new Mazda RX-7 included a wider track, longer wheelbase, and an independent rear suspension.  Although it was about 150 pounds (68 kg) heavier than the previous year's model, it featured a more powerful engine to compensate.  The same 1.3-liter fuel-injected rotary engine was used, but was capable of 146 hp.  Although just as quick as previous models, the second generation of the Mazda RX-7 didn't handle quite as well.

The Mazda RX-7 Turbo sported a turbocharged 182-hp 1.3-liter rotary engine.  The Turbo could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 kph) in just over second seconds.

The 1989 models of the RX-7 and the RX-7 Turbo received an engine upgrade.  The RX-7's rotary engine was now capable of 160 hp, and the RX-7 Turbo could top 200 hp.  A four-speed automatic transmission was available for the first time.

With the second generation, Mazda offered slightly more trim options.  A 2+2 seat version was available (although the rear seats were suitable only for children or people you didn’t like).  In 1988, Mazda also released a convertible two-seat version.

The short-lived third generation of the Mazda RX-7, roughly 1993 to 1995, hit new highs in power and performance.  Unfortunately, it also hit new highs in price, which contributed to its ultimate decline.  Sadly, the RX-7 Turbo line was discontinued.

The new Mazda RX-7's was finely tuned for high racing performance.  Its 1.3-liter rotary engine received another major upgrade, hitting 255 hp and 217 pound-feet of torque.  Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 kmph) was reduced to five seconds.  This model of the RX-7 included many performance features, such as a limited-slip differential and four-wheel antilock disc brakes.

This new Mazda RX-7 was light, agile, fast… and expensive.  Mazda seemed to have forgotten that part of the car's original popularity was due to its reasonable price tag.   Prices for the third generation Mazda RX-7 hit the mid-$30,000 (~£25,000), which was expensive for the early 1990s.  After a few years of poor sales, Mazda dropped the RX-7 from the international market.

Mazda is currently developing a four-seat successor model, the RX-8.  Many fans of the Rx-7, however, are still hoping Mazda will release a new version of the RX-7.  Although rumors have circulated to this effect for quite some time, Madza has not yet announced any plans to being back the RX-7.