Mazda rx7
Mazda rx7
Mazda rx7
Engine
1146 cc 12A
1146 cc 12A turbo
1308 cc 13B RE-EGI
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase
2,420 mm (95 in)
Length 4,285 mm (169 in)
Width 1,675 mm (66 in)
Height 1,260 mm (50 in)
Curb weight
1,000 1,100 kg (2,300 2,500 lb)
Series 1 (1978 1980) is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanu
merics of the vehicle identification number. In Japan it was introduced in March
1978, replacing the Savanna RX-3, and joined Mazda's only other remaining rotar
y engine powered products, called the Mazda Cosmo which was a two-door luxury co
upe, and the Mazda Luce luxury sedan.
The lead designer at Mazda was Matasaburo Maeda, whose son Ikuo would go on to d
esign the Mazda2 and Mazda RX-8.[2] The transition of the Savanna to a sports ca
r appearance reflected products from other Japanese manufacturers. The advantage
the RX-7 had was its minimal size and weight, and the compact rotary engine ins
talled behind the front axle, which helped balance the front to rear weight dist
ribution, and provide a low center of gravity.
In Japan, sales were enhanced by the fact that the RX-7 complied with Japanese G
overnment dimension regulations, and Japanese buyers were not liable for yearly
taxes for driving a larger car. The rotary engine had financial advantages to Ja
panese consumers in that the engine displacement remained below 1.5 litres, a si
gnificant determination when paying the Japanese annual road tax which kept the
obligation affordable to most buyers, while having more power than the tradition
al inline engines.
In May 1980, Mazda released a limited production run of special North American m
odels known as the Leathersport Models. This package was essentially an uprated
GS model with added LS badges on each B-pillar, special striping, and LS-only go
ld anodized wheels (with polished outer face and wheel rim). All LS editions cam
e equipped with special LS-only full brown leather upholstery, leather wrapped s
teering wheel, leather wrapped shift knob, removable sunroof, LS-specific four-s
peaker AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna (though listed as a six speaker ste
reo, as the two rear dual voice coil speakers were counted as four speakers in t
otal), remote power door side mirrors, and other standard GS equipment. Two prim
ary options were also available; a three-speed JATCO 3N71B automatic transmissio
n and air conditioning. Other GS options such as cassette tape deck, splash guar
ds, padded center console arm rest and others could be added by the dealer. The
LS model was only ever available in three different exterior colors: Aurora Whit
e, 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 an
d a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of R
oad & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."
Mazda RX-7 Series 2 (US)
The Series 2 (1981 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 f
ederalized trim.[3] The four-speed manual option was dropped for 1981 as well, w
hile the gas tank grew larger and the dashboard was redesigned, including a shor
ter gear stick mounted closer to the driver.[3] In 1983, the 130 mph 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 differen
tial (LSD). Known as the "FB" in North America after the US Department of Transp
ortation mandated 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number changeover. For various
other markets worldwide, the 1981 1985 RX-7 retained the 'SA22C' VIN prefix. In t
he UK, the 1978 1980 series 1 cars carried the SA code on the vehicle VIN but all
later cars (1981 1983 series 2 & 1984 1985 series 3) carried the FB code and these f
irst generation RX7's are known as the "FB". The license-plate surround looks mu
ch like Buhrer's "Styling Impressions."
In Europe, the FB was mainly noticed for having received a power increase from t
he 105 PS (77 kW) of the SA22; the 1981 RX-7 now had 115 PS (85 kW) on tap. Euro
pean market cars also received four-wheel disc brakes as standard.[4]