Misplaced Pages

#629370

98-583: The car's name is a combination of Mazda's RX-7 road car, the year the car raced (19 92 ) and the fact that it was a P rototype. Following many successful years running the RX-7 in IMSA's GTO class and MX-6 in the GTU class, Mazda chose to take on a new challenge. Although Mazda had supported the use of their rotary engines in GTP prototypes in the past, Mazda wished to compete with

196-451: A Bose Acoustic Wave music system with CD player. The R1 (R2 in 1994–95) model featured upgraded springs, Bilstein shocks, an additional engine oil cooler, an aerodynamics package comprising a front lip and rear wing, suede seats and Pirelli Z-rated tires. Cruise control was deleted on the R1. The R2 differed from the R1 in that it had slightly softer suspension. In 1994, the interior received

294-456: A 4.30 final drive ratio, providing a significant reduction in its 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time. The gearbox was also modified, 5th gear was made longer to reduce cruising rpm and improve fuel efficiency. The very limited edition Type RZ version included all the features of the Type RS, but at a lighter weight, at 1,270 kg (2,800 lb). It also featured gun-metal colored BBS wheels and

392-548: A 50:50 front and rear weight distribution, and weighed under 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). It was the lightest generation of the RX-7 ever produced. 12A -powered models accelerated from 0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 9.2 seconds, and turned 0.779  g (7.64 m/s²) laterally on a skid pad. The 1,146 cc (1.1 L) 12A engine was rated at 100 hp (75 kW; 101 PS) at 6,000 rpm in North American models, allowing

490-454: A GTUˢ-only 4.300 viscous-type limited-slip differential (all other FC LSD's were 4.100). This allowed quicker acceleration from the naturally aspirated 13B rotary engine. Although it has been rumored that Mazda built between 100 and 1100 GTUˢ' between 1989 and 1990, there is no official documentation from Mazda on how many have been built. The most reliable way to determine a GTUˢ is by taking the VIN to

588-632: A Mazda dealer and they can look to see if the internal coding for the car comes up as a GS model designation. The third-generation RX‑7, (sometimes referred to as FD , chassis code FD3S for Japan and JM1FD for the North America), featured an updated body design. Announced in October 1991, production began later that month before going on sale in December in the domestic Japanese market. Left-Hand-Drive export production began shortly after. The 13B-REW engine

686-418: A VIN-split running production change between the two. The most notable difference between the series can be found on the exterior- the earlier "Series I" cars had a black "Mazda" logo decal on the front bumper cover, whereas most if not all "Series II" cars did not have the decal. Series II cars also received the lower seat cushion height/tilt feature that Series I cars lacked. Another distinctive exterior feature

784-582: A carbon fibre 120 L (32 US gal) fuel tank (as opposed to the 76 L (20 US gal) tank in the standard car), a 4.3:1 final drive ratio, 17-inch wheels, larger brake rotors and calipers. A "three times more efficient" intercooler, a new exhaust, and a modified ECU were also included. Weight was reduced significantly with the aid of further carbon fibre usage including lightweight vented bonnet and Recaro seats to reduce weight to 1,218 kg (2,685 lb) (from 1,250 kg (2,756 lb)) making this model road-going race car that matched

882-491: A conventional engine. Under certain conditions, the pump injects air into the thermal reactor and at other times air is pumped through injectors into the exhaust ports. This fresh air is needed for more efficient and cleaner-burning of the air/fuel mixture. Options and models varied from country to country. The gauge layout and interior styling in the Series 3 was only changed for the North American models. Additionally, North America

980-492: A convertible by joining a RX7 front body with a 626 coupee rear end. To ensure rigidity, steel channel beams were welded to the floor pan. Due to the added weight, the engine used was the Japanese model 12AT introduced in 1983.rated at 121kw@ 6500rpm. It was planned and budgeted to build eighty cars a year. However after the first production run of six, Mazda Japan became aware of the project and ended it. intending in 1985 to introduce

1078-438: A dedicated intake on the hood. The intake is slightly offset toward the left side of the hood. In the Japanese market, only the turbocharged engine was available; the naturally-aspirated version was only available for select export markets. This can be attributed to insurance companies in many Western nations penalizing turbocharged cars (thus restricting potential sales). The Japanese market car produces 185 PS (136 kW) in

SECTION 10

#1732852356630

1176-503: A distant sixth in the constructor's championship, although Price Cobb would be able to finish eighth in the driver's championship. Following the 1992 season, sports car racing throughout the world was greatly altered. Both the World Sportscar Championship and All Japan Sports Prototype Championship would be cancelled, leaving Mazda's expensive MXR-01 with nowhere to race. At the same time, IMSA announced plans to abandon

1274-617: A month later they were pulling out of racing: “The 4-rotor engine was the only component of the car that came from Japan. We were informed a few days later that they were discontinuing the experimental engine program, which was the 4-rotor, and that was the demise of the RX-792P program”. So team had a budget, but no engines. By December 1992 the doors were closed. Fuller, Michael J. and J.A. Martin, Inside IMSA’s Legendary GTP Cars: The Prototype Experience. Minneapolis: Motor Books International, 2008. Pages 232-245. Mazda RX-7 The Mazda RX-7

1372-528: A perception and not a reality. Also, any advantage that might have been was certainly offset for the need to cool the car and the corresponding drag relative to power output. With that in mind, Mazda was thinking about what could be done to close that power gap. Mazdaspeed supplied the program’s 4-rotor engines and had developments undergoing testing on the dynomometer in Japan that were producing in excess of 700hp. “Needless to say we were excited and looking forward to

1470-568: A rear wing, leather seats, sunroof and fog lights, but didn't have the Bose Stereo nor the rear window wiper. An estimated 500 RX-7s were produced for the 1995 model year. This would be the final year of RX-7 production for North America. A special high-performance version of the RX-7 was introduced in Australia in 1995, named the RX-7 SP . This model was developed to achieve homologation for racing in

1568-407: A red racing themed interior. An improved ABS system worked by braking differently on each wheel, allowing the car better turning during braking. The effective result made for safer driving for the average buyer. Mazda MXR-01 The Mazda MXR-01 is a Group C sports prototype that was used by Mazda 's factory team Mazdaspeed in the 1992 World Sportscar Championship season . It would be

1666-642: A shorter gear stick mounted closer to the driver. In 1983, the 130 mph (209 km/h) speedometer returned for the RX-7. The GSL package provided optional four-wheel disc brakes, front ventilated (Australian model) and clutch-type rear limited-slip differential (LSD). This revision of the SA22 was known in North America as the "FB" after the US Department of Transportation mandated 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number changeover. For various other markets worldwide,

1764-422: A six-speaker stereo, as the two rear dual voice coil speakers were counted as four speakers in total), remote power door side mirrors, and other standard GS equipment. Two primary options were also available; a three-speed JATCO 3N71B automatic transmission and air conditioning. The dealer could add other GS options such as a cassette tape deck, splash guards, padded center console arm rest, and others. The LS model

1862-568: A small update to include a passenger-side air bag, and a PEG (popular equipment group) package was offered. The PEG package featured leather seats, a rear cargo cover and a power steel sunroof. It did not include the fog lights or Bose stereo of the touring package. An automatic transmission was not available with the PEG. In 1995, the Touring package was replaced by the PEP (popular equipment package). The PEP included

1960-601: A target of 20 percent of overall RX-7 sales. The 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 naturally aspirated Series 5's 13B-DEI engine was rated at 160 hp (119 kW; 162 PS), while the Series ;5 Turbo was rated at 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS) at 6,500 rpm and 195 lb⋅ft (264 N⋅m) of torque at 3,500 rpm. Mazda sold 86,000 RX-7s in

2058-463: Is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, rotary engine-powered sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 until 2002 across three generations, all of which made use of a compact, lightweight Wankel rotary engine . The first-generation RX-7, sometimes referred to as the SA (early) and FB (late), is a two-seater two-door hatchback coupé . It featured a 12A carbureted rotary engine as well as

SECTION 20

#1732852356630

2156-637: Is bronze tinted (specific in North America to only the 10th Anniversary), and the windshield was equipped with the embedded secondary antenna also found on some other select models with the upgraded stereo packages. Other 10th Anniversary Edition specific items were headlight washers (the only RX-7 in the US market that got this feature), glass breakage detectors added to the factory alarm system, 10th Anniversary Edition logoed floor mats, 10th Anniversary Edition embroidered front hood protector and accompanying front end mask (or "bra"), and an aluminum under pan. In 1989, with

2254-428: Is cool, giving few oxides of nitrogen. However, the combustion is also incomplete, so there are large amounts of partly burned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The exhaust is hot enough for combustion of these to continue into the exhaust. An engine-driven pump supplies air into the exhaust to complete the burn of these chemicals. This is done in the "thermal reactor" chamber where the exhaust manifold would normally be on

2352-508: Is the bright gold rotor-shaped 10th Anniversary Edition badge on the front fenders (yellow-gold on the Series II cars). A distinctive 10th Anniversary package feature is the all black leather interior (code D7), which included not just the seats, but the door panel inserts as well and a leather-wrapped MOMO steering wheel (with 10th Anniversary Edition embossed horn button) and MOMO leather-wrapped shift knob with integrated boot. All exterior glass

2450-493: The 500km of Silverstone . At Le Mans the team was able to briefly lead the race at various parts of the first hours in front of the dominant Peugeot squad before finishing an honourable 4th. Throughout the season the team ran only a single-car effort, with the exception being two cars for Le Mans. In Japan, Mazdaspeed campaigned a single MXR-01 in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship , which

2548-417: The 787B and its predecessors. The tub would be built from carbon fiber , while the bodywork designed by Lee Dykstra and Randy Wittine would feature new sweeping lines, including a large exposed vent flowing out from the front wheel well. A total of three RX-792Ps were built by Crawford for Mazda before the project was cancelled. Managed by Mazda Motorsports, the first RX-792P was completed shortly before

2646-562: The Australian GT Production Car Series and the Eastern Creek 12 Hour production car race. An initial run of 25 cars were made, and later an extra 10 were built by Mazda due to demand. The RX-7 SP was rated at 277 PS (204 kW; 273 hp) and 357 N⋅m (263 lb⋅ft) of torque, a substantial increase over the standard model. Other changes included a race-developed carbon fiber nose cone and rear spoiler ,

2744-505: The FIA , Mazda found itself with a problem in that its rotary engines were now ineligible. Instead, teams would be required to use technologically-advanced 3.5L powerplants similar to those used in Formula One . Mazda, not having had many racing engines outside of its rotaries, decided that the cost of developing an entirely different engine was not worth it, especially with budgetary concerns within

2842-668: The 1981–1985 RX-7 retained the 'SA22C' VIN prefix. In the UK, the 1978–1980 series 1 cars carried the SA code on the VIN but all later cars (1981–1983 series 2 and 1984–1985 series 3) carried the FB code and these first-generation RX-7s are known as the "FB" only in Northern America. In Japan, a very well appointed version similar to the export market GSL arrived late in 1982, called the SE-Limited. This model received two-tone paint, alloy wheels shaped like

2940-484: The 1992 season began. The team consisted of drivers Price Cobb and Pete Halsmer . Opting to skip the 24 Hours of Daytona , the first chassis appeared at the Grand Prix of Miami. Unfortunately, a fire caused by the hot exhaust touching the car's bodywork would force the car to be withdrawn before the race even took place. This problem continued at the 12 Hours of Sebring , where the car caught fire once again just prior to

3038-423: The 1993 season,” said Dick St. Yves, Mazda Motorsports Manager 1988-1993. Subsequently, design mockups were underway to move the oil cooler into the side pods and enlarging the front-mounted radiator. A program of weight reduction was also being considered as the car never scrutineered at its 1,750 lb (790 kg). minimum anyway, typically coming in around 75 lb (34 kg). above it. The RX-792P program

Mazda RX-792P - Misplaced Pages Continue

3136-527: The 1994 interior facelift, with a passenger air bag. Sales in most of Europe ended after 1995 as it would have been too expensive to reengineer the car to meet the new Euro 2 emissions regulations. In the United Kingdom, for 1992, customers were offered only one version of the FD, which was based on a combination of the US touring and the base model. For the following year, in a bid to speed up sales, Mazda reduced

3234-415: The FB (produced from 1981 to 1983), had integrated plastic-covered bumpers, wide black rubber body side moldings, wraparound taillights and updated engine control components. While marginally longer overall, the new model was 135 lb (61 kg) lighter in federalized trim. The four-speed manual option was dropped for 1981 as well, while the gas tank grew larger and the dashboard was redesigned, including

3332-457: The FC. The revised independent rear suspension incorporated special toe control hubs which were capable of introducing a limited degree of passive rear steering under cornering loads. The DTSS worked by allowing a slight amount of toe-out under normal driving conditions but induced slight toe-in under heavier cornering loads at around 0.5g or more; toe-out in the rear allows for a more responsive rotation of

3430-424: The FD would become so popular that there were more parallel and grey imported models brought into the country than Mazda UK had ever imported. Series 7 included minor changes to the car. Updates included a simplified vacuum routing manifold and a 16-bit ECU which combined with an improved intake system netted an extra 10 PS (7 kW). This additional horsepower was only available on manual transmission cars as

3528-445: The FD, was offered a 2+2-seater coupé with a limited run of a two-seater option. Some markets were only available as a two-seater. It featured a sequentially turbocharged 13B REW engine . More than 800,000 RX-7s were manufactured over its lifetime. Series 1 (produced from 1978 until 1980) is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumeric of the vehicle identification number . Mazda's internal project number for what

3626-610: The GSL-SE sub-model. The GSL-SE had a fuel injected 1,308 cc (1.3 L) 13B RE-EGI engine rated at 135 hp (101 kW; 137 PS) and 133 lb⋅ft (180 N⋅m). GSL-SE models had much the same options as the GSL (clutch-type rear LSD and rear disc brakes), but the brake rotors were larger, allowing Mazda to use the more common lug nuts (versus bolts), and a new bolt pattern of 4x114.3mm (4x4.5"). Also, they had upgraded suspension with stiffer springs and shocks. The external oil cooler

3724-446: The GTP category after the 1993 season, turning instead to a new category of open-cockpit prototypes. This meant that Mazda would only have one more year to be able to use the RX-792P in North America only before they would have to construct an all-new car. The RX-792P effort was full steam ahead for 1993 and the group began to look towards improvements that could be made the chassis. On IMSA’s sliding weight vs. engine displacement scale,

3822-524: The Leathersport Models. This package was essentially an uprated GS model with added LS badges on each B-pillar, special stripes on the exterior, and LS-only gold anodized wheels (with polished outer face and wheel rim). All LS editions came equipped with special LS-only full brown leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, removable sunroof, LS-specific four-speaker AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna (though listed as

3920-467: The Mazda 4-rotor came in at 1,750 lb (790 kg) and many teams had cause for concern about this, thinking that the Mazda engine had been gifted a power-to-weight ratio advantage. While the RX-792P showed occasional turns of speed, the reality was that the engine simply was giving up far too much horsepower to its competitors, thus making the perceived power-to-weight bias within the regulations just that,

4018-543: The RX-7 Finale in Australia. This was the last of the series and brought out in limited numbers. The Finale featured power options and a brass plaque mentioning the number the car was as well as "Last of a legend" on the plaque. The finale had special stickers and a blacked out section between the window & rear hatch. The handling and acceleration of the car were noted to be of a high caliber for its day. The RX-7 had "live axle" 4-link rear suspension with Watt's linkage ,

Mazda RX-792P - Misplaced Pages Continue

4116-557: The RX-7's successor, the RX-8 . The transition of the Savanna to a sports car appearance reflected products from other Japanese manufacturers. The advantage the RX-7 had was its minimal size and weight, and the compact rotary engine installed behind the front axle helped balance the front and rear weight distribution, which provided a low center of gravity. In May 1980, Mazda introduced a limited production run of special North American models known as

4214-469: The Second Generation increased size RX7 with the larger, more powerful 13B engine. This would include a convertible model for worldwide sales. Thus, the Series 2 convertible is the rarest Mazda car built. The Series 3 (produced 1984–1985) featured an updated lower front fascia. North American models received a different instrument cluster. GSL package was continued into this series, but Mazda introduced

4312-522: The Series models, the biggest change which was from the Series I and II being an S4 and the Series III and IV being an S5. The Turbo II model uses a turbocharger with a twin-scroll design. The smaller primary chamber is engineered to cancel the turbo lag at low engine speeds. At higher revolutions, the secondary chamber is opened, pumping out 33 percent more power than the naturally aspirated counterpart. The Turbo II also has an air-to-air intercooler which has

4410-425: The Touring X, which came with a four-speed automatic transmission. The RX-7 was sold in 1993–1995 in the U.S. and Canada. The Series 6 was rated at 255 PS (188 kW; 252 hp) and 294 N⋅m (217 lb⋅ft). At launch, three option packages were offered; the unlabeled base model, the Touring and the R1 (renamed R2 in 1994). All cars were only available as a two-seater unlike the previous generation which

4508-456: The UK. Series 7 models were produced only with right-hand drive (RHD), and were only exported to RHD markets. Series 8 was the final series, and was only available in the Japanese market. More efficient turbochargers were available on certain models, while improved intercooling and radiator cooling was made possible by a redesigned front fascia with larger openings. The seats, steering wheel, and instrument cluster were all changed. The rear spoiler

4606-531: The US alone in 1986, its first model year, with sales peaking in 1988. Mazda introduced the 10th Anniversary RX-7 in 1988 as a limited production model based on the RX-7 Turbo II. Production was limited to 1,500 units. The 10th Anniversary RX-7 features a Crystal White monochromatic paint scheme with matching white body side moldings, tail light housings, mirrors and 16-inch alloy seven-spoke wheels. There were two "series" of 10th Anniversary models, with essentially

4704-642: The Wankel rotor, all-wheel disc brakes, limited-slip differential , and a full leather interior. It also had the latest iteration of the 12A rotary engine, the RE-6PI with variable induction port system and 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp). In Europe, the FB was mainly noticed for having received a power increase from the 105 PS (77 kW) of the SA22; the 1981 RX-7 now had 115 PS (85 kW) on tap. European market cars also received four-wheel disc brakes as standard. In 1984 Mazda Australia decided to produce

4802-570: The World Sportscar Championship. However, IMSA rules continued to allow the use of rotaries, which led Mazda to bring the R26B to North America, with refinements to better suit the shorter races and circuits. For a chassis, Mazda would use the expertise of Crawford Composites to construct the monocoque, while Fabcar would assist in the project. Due to the different style of racing, the new car would not share much from Mazda's previous effort,

4900-437: The car to reach speeds of over 190 km/h (120 mph). Because of the smoothness inherent in the Wankel rotary engine, little vibration or harshness was experienced at high engine speeds, so a buzzer was fitted to the tachometer to warn the driver when the 7,000 rpm redline was approaching. The 12A engine has a long thin shaped combustion chamber, having a large surface area in relation to its volume. Therefore, combustion

4998-538: The car would be rebadged and renamed as the Mazda MXR-01 carrying some minor modifications carried out by Nigel Stroud such as different side view mirrors and the addition of new headlamps. Unfortunately, although the XJR-14 was the 1991 champion, it had not been updated since the end of that season, and Mazda had neither the technical understanding of the XJR-14 nor the cash flow to continually upgrade their rebadged MXR-01 on

SECTION 50

#1732852356630

5096-744: The car's non-compliant width. As the RX‑;7 was now considered an upper-level luxury sports car due to the increased width dimensions, Mazda also offered two smaller offerings, the Eunos Roadster , and the Eunos Presso hatchback. The sequential twin-turbocharging system, introduced in 1992, was extremely complex and was developed with the aid of Hitachi . It was previously used on the exclusive-to-Japan Cosmo JC Series . The system used two turbochargers, one to provide 10 psi (0.69 bar) of boost from 1,800 rpm. The second turbocharger activated in

5194-417: The changeover process produced a significant increase in power output and forced technical drivers to adjust their driving style to anticipate and mitigate any over-steer during cornering. The standard turbo control system used 4 control solenoids, 4 actuators, both a vacuum and pressure chamber, and several feet of preformed vacuum/pressure hoses, all of which were prone to failure in part due to complexity and

5292-523: The company. At the same time, if Mazda was to use a V10 powerplant, it would be required to build an entirely different car, since the 787B could never hold a V10. Thus, Mazda came to the decision of buying an existing V10 engine. The company turned to Judd (Engine Developments) , who had developed the GV10 3.5L V10 for Formula One in 1991, and arranged a deal in which the Judd engines would be badged as Mazdas, carrying

5390-555: The era such as the Nissan 300ZX . Mazda's development team, led by Chief Project Engineer Akio Uchiyama ( 内山 昭朗 ) , chose to focus on the American market when designing the FC, where the majority of first-generation of the RX-7 models had been sold. The team drew inspiration from successful sports cars that were popular at the time, such as studying the suspension design of the Porsche 928 . While

5488-466: The final Mazda entry in sports car racing since the inception of its Le Mans project in 1983. It was based on the Jaguar XJR-14 . Following Mazda's success in winning the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans with its rotary powered 787B , Mazda had hoped to continue in sportscar racing and prove that its one win was not a fluke. However, with the reorganizing of the World Sportscar Championship in 1991 by

5586-461: The first-generation RX-7 was a purer sports car, the second-generation RX-7 tended toward the softer sport-tourer trends of its day, sharing some similarities with the HB series Cosmo . Handling was much improved, with less of the oversteer tendencies of the previous version. The rear end design was vastly improved from the SA22's live rear axle to a more modern, Independent Rear Suspension (rear axle). Steering

5684-408: The increase in power was only seen above 7,000 rpm, which was the redline for automatic transmission equipped cars. The rear spoiler and tail lights were also redesigned. The Type RZ model was now equipped with larger brake rotors as well as 17-inch BBS wheels. In Japan, the Series 7 RX-7 was marketed under the Mazda and ɛ̃fini brand name. Series 7 RX-7s were also sold in Australia, New Zealand and

5782-459: The inherent high temperatures of the rotary engine. Information about various trims and models is listed as follows: Series 6 was exported throughout the world and sold in larger numbers than in later years. In Japan, Mazda sold the RX-7 through its ɛ̃fini brand as the ɛ̃fini RX-7. Models in Japan included the Type S, the base model, Type R, the lightweight sports model, Type RZ, Type RB, A-spec and

5880-700: The introduction of the facelifted FC RX-7, and to commemorate the RX-7s 8 straight wins in the IMSA GTU class from 1980 to 1987, Mazda introduced a limited model labeled the GTUˢ. Starting with the lightweight base model GTU, the GTUˢ added items found on the Turbo model such as four-piston front brakes, ventilated rear brake rotors, vehicle speed-sensing power steering, one-piece front chin spoiler , cloth-covered Turbo model seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch wheels, 205/55VR tires, and

5978-545: The legacy of the Haraguchi RX-7 influences the design and customization of drift cars around the world. It remains a symbol of innovation within the drifting culture, representing the fusion of performance driving with creative expression through automotive art. Mazda introduced a convertible version of the RX-7, the FC3C, in 1988 with a naturally aspirated engine—introduced to the US market with ads featuring actor James Garner , at

SECTION 60

#1732852356630

6076-452: The likes of Porsche , Nissan , Jaguar and Toyota with a full factory effort. This would coincide with Mazda's continued running of the World Sportscar Championship in Europe, as well as the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship at home. After Mazda's success in winning the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans , a change in engine rules by the FIA forced Mazda to abandon their R26B 4-rotor in

6174-467: The middle of the grid, the pair would come home in third and fourth places, three laps behind the winning Toyota . At Mid-Ohio the RX-792Ps finished sixth and ninth. Problems crept up once again as the series moved to New Orleans, with one entry managing a mere 16th. However, the Mazda team would quickly rebound to take their best finish of the season, with a second place at Watkins Glen , even though this

6272-453: The name MV10. For a new chassis, Mazda also turned to an existing design, this time going to Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), who had worked with Jaguar until it dropped out of sportscar racing at the end of 1991. Jaguar's final entry, the XJR-14 , was offered by TWR to customers for 1992, and Mazda jumped at the opportunity to use the car which helped win the 1991 championship for Jaguar. Again,

6370-414: The option for a 13B rotary engine with electronic fuel injection in later years. The second-generation RX-7, sometimes referred to as the FC, was offered as a two-seater coupé with a 2+2 option available in some markets, as well as in a convertible body style. This was powered by the 13B rotary engine, offered in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms. The third-generation RX-7, sometimes referred to as

6468-561: The original version; this engine was upgraded to 205 PS (151 kW) in April 1989 as part of the Series 5 facelift. The limited edition, two-seater Infini model received a 215 PS (158 kW) version beginning in June 1990, thanks to an upgraded exhaust system and high-octane fuel. Australian Motors Mazda introduced a limited run of 250 'Sports' model Series 4 RX-7s; each with no power steering, power windows or rear wiper as an attempt to reduce

6566-593: The other items mentioned before. There are differing years for the Infini, which denoted the series. Series I was introduced in 1987, Series II was introduced in 1988, Series III was introduced in 1989, and Series IV was introduced in 1990. Series I and II came in White or Black exterior colour, Series III came in Shade Green only, and Series IV came in Shade Green or Noble Green exterior colours. There are only minor differences between

6664-501: The performance of the rival Porsche Carrera RS Club Sport for the final year Mazda officially entered. The formula paid off when the RX-7 SP won the 1995 Eastern Creek 12 Hour , giving Mazda the winning 12-hour trophy for a fourth straight year. The winning car also gained a podium finish at the international tarmac rally Targa Tasmania months later. A later special version, the Bathurst R ,

6762-418: The price of the RX-7 to £25,000, down from £32,000, and refunded the difference to those who bought the car before that was announced. From 1992 to 1995, only 210 FD RX-7s were officially sold in the UK. The FD continued to be imported to the UK until 1996. In 1998, for a car that had suffered from slow sales when it was officially sold, with a surge of interest and the benefit of a newly introduced SVA scheme,

6860-459: The race. By the next round at Road Atlanta , the second RX-792P chassis was completed. Both cars were entered in the event, but an accident in practice forced the second car to not run. The lone remaining RX-792P managed to take the green flag, finishing in a distant 15th place, nearly twenty laps behind the winner. With the second chassis repaired, Mazda moved to Lime Rock Park , where the cars would finally show their potential. After qualifying in

6958-597: The rear, but toe-in allowed for a more stable rear under heavier cornering. Another new feature was the Auto Adjusting Suspension (AAS). The system changed damping characteristics according to the road and driving conditions. The system compensated for camber changes and provided anti-dive and anti-squat effects. In Japan, a limited edition of the second-generation RX-7 called Infini was available with production limited to only 600 cars for each year. Some special noted features for all Infini series are: infini logo on

7056-510: The rear, upgraded suspension, upgraded ECU, higher power output of the engine, reduced weight, 15-inch BBS aluminum alloy wheels, Infini logo steering wheel, aero bumper kits, bronze-colored window glass, floor bar on the passenger side, aluminum bonnet with scoop, flare, and holder. The car was thought as the pinnacle of the RX-7 series (until the introduction of the third generation RX-7). The Infini IV came with other special items such as black bucket seats, 16-inch BBS wheels, Knee pads, and all

7154-424: The region of 200+, to its competitors. And while the regulations seemed give the Mazda a weight advantage, it certainly wasn’t able to bring that to bear. Considering year one a development year, as with all of the one-year wonders, year two certainly would have had much more to offer. Alas St. Yves relates that his 1993 budget had actually been approved by Mazda USA in October 1992 but for Mazda Corporation to announce

7252-433: The rigid section manually. Mazda introduced with the convertible the first integral windblocker, a rigid panel that folded up from behind the passenger seats to block unwanted drafts from reaching the passengers—thereby extending the driving season for the car with the top retracted. The convertible also featured optional headrest-mounted audio speakers and a folding leather snap-fastened tonneau cover. The convertible assembly

7350-466: The same scale as Peugeot and Toyota were able to do in 1992. The Judd powerplant was also considerably underpowered in comparison to the other factory teams. As a result, the MXR-01 would race until the end of its career mostly unmodified. With the MXR-01, Mazda was able to successfully finish third in the teams' championship of the 1992 World Sportscar Championship season, with a best result of second in

7448-413: The time featured in many Mazda television advertisements. Only about 22,000 convertibles were built. The convertible featured a removable rigid section over the passengers and a folding fabric rear section with heated rear glass window. Power operated, lowering the top required unlatching two header catches, power lowering the top, exiting the car (or reaching over to the right-side latch), and folding down

7546-506: The turbine were remodeled and made smaller, and the turbine had a twenty percent higher speed than a turbo intended for a conventional engine. The Savanna Turbo was short-lived, as the next generation of the RX-7 was about to be introduced. The second-generation RX-7 (sometimes referred to as "FC", VIN begins JM1FC3 or JMZFC1), still known as the Mazda Savanna RX-7 in Japan, featured a complete restyling much like similar sports cars of

7644-417: The upper half of the rpm range, during full-throttle acceleration – at 4,000 rpm to maintain 10 psi (0.69 bar) until redline. The changeover process occurred at 4,500 rpm, with a momentary dip in pressure to 8 psi (0.55 bar), and provided semi-linear acceleration from a wide torque curve throughout the entire rev range under normal operation. Under high-speed-driving conditions,

7742-508: The weight of the car. The Haraguchi RX-7 is a legendary vehicle in the world of drifting, often hailed as an iconic representation of the drift culture that emerged in the 1990s. Built by Mitsuru Haraguchi between 1989 and 1993, this Series 2 RX-7 became famous for its unique style and performance, making it one of the earliest examples of what enthusiasts would come to call a "HotBoi" drift car—a term used to describe cars modified for drifting with an emphasis on aesthetic appeal. Mitsuru Haraguchi

7840-403: Was a 2+2 configuration in North America. All cars were equipped with the same sequential twin-turbo 13B REW engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard and a 4-speed automatic was available on the base model and Touring package. A driver-side airbag and anti-lock brakes are standard as well. The Touring package included a glass moonroof, fog lights, leather seats, a rear window wiper and

7938-447: Was actually five laps behind the winner. A follow-up seventh place at Laguna Seca would unfortunately be followed by a double DNF at Portland . A quick rebound would see fourth and fifth places at Road America before the team once again failed to finish with either car at Phoenix . This trend would continue at the final race of the season, as neither car would make it to the checkered flag. This string of bad results would leave Mazda

8036-578: Was also significant. It showcased a vibrant design that captured the spirit of the drifting scene, often adorned with bold graphics and a striking color scheme that made it instantly recognizable. Tragically, the Haraguchi RX-7 met an unfortunate fate when it was crashed in 1999, yet its impact on the drifting community has been profound. The crash, rather than marking the end of its story, solidified its legendary status. It has since been celebrated in various media, including magazines, videos, and online forums, where enthusiasts pay homage to its legacy. Even today,

8134-408: Was available and it included twin oil-coolers, electric sunroof, cruise control and the rear storage bins in place of the back seats. It also has the stiffer suspension and strut braces from the R models. Germany topped the sales with 446 cars, while UK is second at 210 and Greece third with 168 (thanks to that country's tax structure which favored the rotary engine). The European models also received

8232-572: Was available with a naturally aspirated, fuel injected 13B-VDEI producing 146 hp (109 kW; 148 PS) in North American spec. An optional turbocharged model, known as the Turbo II in the American market, was rated at 182 hp (136 kW; 185 PS) and 183 lb⋅ft (248 N⋅m) of torque at 3,500 rpm. The turbo model was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1986, with

8330-601: Was designed by Taiwanese automotive artist Wu-huang Chin ( 秦無荒 ), who also worked on the Mazda MX-5 Miata , with help from Tom Matano. The interior design, though, originated from the Hiroshima design proposal. Mazda's chief designer Yoichi Sato ( 佐藤 洋一 , Satō Yōichi ) then helped take the concept design to its final production form. In Japan, sales were affected by this series' non-compliance with Japanese dimension regulations and Japanese buyers paid annual taxes for

8428-510: Was done to an astonishingly small budget according to Dick St. Yves: “I have been told that Toyota’s budget was $ 20,000,000 and Nissan was in the area of $ 35,000,000, our budget was $ 5,000,000”. The program started in May 1991 in a vacant warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina and by February 1992 the first car was assembled into these humble beginnings. The 4-rotor was giving up tremendous power as well, in

8526-506: Was increased with the addition of a less restrictive muffler and more efficient turbochargers which featured abradable compressor seals, 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 314 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5000 rpm as per the maximum Japanese limit. The Type RS had a brake upgrade by increasing rotor diameter front and rear to 314 mm (12.4 in) and front rotor thickness from 22 mm (0.9 in) to 32 mm (1.3 in). The Type RS version also sported

8624-474: Was introduced in 2001 to commemorate this victory in Japan only. It was based on the RX-7 Type R and 500 were built in total, featuring adjustable dampers, a carbon fibre shift knob, carbon fibre interior trim, special fog lamps and a different parking brake lever. In Europe, only 1,152 examples of the FD were sold through the official Mazda network, due to a high price and a fairly short time span. Only one model

8722-538: Was made available for the top-end model of the Series 3 RX-7 in Japan. It was introduced in September 1983. The engine was rated at 165 PS (121 kW) (JIS) at 6,500 rpm. While the peak power figures were only slightly higher than those of the engine used in the Luce/Cosmo, the new "Impact Turbo" was developed specifically to deal with the different exhaust gas characteristics of a rotary engine. Both rotor vanes of

8820-541: Was modified and gained adjustability on certain models. Three horsepower levels are available: 255 PS (188 kW; 252 hp) for automatic transmission equipped cars, 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp)for the Type RB, and 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) available on the top-of-the-line sporting models. The high-end " Type RS " came equipped with Bilstein suspension and 17-inch wheels as standard equipment, and reduced weight to 1,280 kg (2,822 lb). Power

8918-558: Was more precise, with rack and pinion steering replacing the old recirculating-ball steering of the SA22. Disc brakes also became standard, with some models (S4: Sport, GXL, GTU, Turbo II, Convertible; S5: GXL, GTUˢ, Turbo, Convertible) offering four-piston front brakes. The rear seats were optional in some models of the FC RX-7, but are not commonly found in the American Market. Mazda also introduced Dynamic Tracking Suspension System (DTSS) in

9016-416: Was not just a driver; he was a key figure in the underground drifting scene in Japan. The RX-7, with its lightweight body and rotary engine, proved to be an ideal platform for the kind of driving that would push the envelope in terms of control and style. The car was extensively modified for performance, featuring upgrades to its suspension, tires, and engine to suit the demands of drifting. The RX-7's aesthetic

9114-401: Was only ever available in three different exterior colors: Aurora White, Brilliant Black, and Solar Gold. No official production records are known to exist or to have been released. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located rear license plate, called by Werner Buhler of Road & Track magazine a " Baroque depression ." The Series 2, referred to as

9212-414: Was precisely engineered and manufactured, and dropped into the ready body assembly as a complete unit—a first in convertible production. Production ceased in 1991 after Mazda marketed a limited run of 500 examples for 1992 for the domestic market only. In markets outside the US, only the turbocharged version of the convertible was available. The Series 4 (produced for the 1986 through the 1988 model years)

9310-462: Was reintroduced, after being dropped in the 1983 model-year for the controversial "beehive" water-oil heat exchanger. The 1984 RX-7 GSL has an estimated 29 MPG (8.11 litres/100 km) highway/19 MPG (12.37 L/100 km) city. According to Mazda, its rotary engine, licensed by NSU-Wankel allowed the RX-7 GSL to accelerate from 0 to 80  km/h (50  mph) in 6.3 seconds. In 1985, Mazda introduced

9408-533: Was the first-ever mass-produced sequential twin-turbocharger system to be exported from Japan, boosting power to 255 PS (188 kW; 252 hp) in 1992 and finally to 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) by the time production ended in Japan in 2002. For the third-generation RX-7, Mazda organized an internal design competition between its four design studios in Hiroshima, Yokohama, Irvine, and Europe. The winning design came from their Design Center in Irvine and

9506-541: Was the only market to have offered the first generation of the RX-7 with the fuel-injected 13B , model GSL-SE. Sales of the first-generation RX-7 were strong, with a total of 474,565 cars produced; 377,878 (nearly eighty percent) were sold in the United States alone. Following the introduction of the first turbocharged rotary engine in the Luce / Cosmo , a similar, also fuel injected and non-intercooled 12A turbocharged engine

9604-603: Was to become the RX-7 was X605. In Japan, it was introduced in March 1978, replacing the Savanna RX-3 , and joined Mazda's only other remaining rotary engine-powered products, called the Cosmo which was a two-door luxury coupé, and the Luce luxury sedan. The lead designer at Mazda was Matasaburo Maeda ( 前田 又三郎 , Maeda Matasaburō ) , whose son, Ikuo , would go on to design the Mazda2 and

#629370