Mazda RX7 Specs

The year was 1991.  Nissan had released its 300ZX twin-turbo.  Honda's NSX was one of the only cars in decades to put fear into the primarily European competition.  Mitsubishi's AWD 3000GT Twin Turbo had more technological wizardry than ever seen in almost any price range.   

Mazda's flagship sports car, the RX7 had been around since 1978.  A replacement was in the workings...  The story behind the third-generation Mazda RX-7 (FD3S), is one of dedication and attention to detail with excellent specs.  The project began in 1986, just after the release of the second generation  (FC3S) RX-7, and at a time when a Japanese sports car revival was just over the horizon with each car having incredible specs.

Takaharu Kobayakawa, the program manager on the project, was determined that the changeover to the new model was not a Zevolution but had specs that other car makers would envy.  It was a term he used to describe the competitor, Nissan's, Z-cars, which got progressively larger and heavier with each generation.  As its competitors gained gadgets and driving aids, such as self-adjustable spoilers, rear-wheel steering, traction control, and all-wheel drive as well as other top end specs, Kobayakawa felt they were losing sight of the original vision.  The RX7 was decided to be a pure, back-to-the-basics sports car with top performance specs.

Styling

The styling of the new RX7 would be an intensely personal and emotional decision for Mazda, as the car was to symbolize Mazda's specs and the rotary engine specs to the rest of the world.  Four different design studios around the world were consulted to come up with the design proposals as well the specs for the RX-7.  In June, 1987, the two best sketches and specs were chosen from each studio.  Full-size rendering and 1/5 scale models were created for each of the designs.  Two particular concepts won out in the evaluation meeting in September of that year, one from Mazda in Irvine California (MRA) and the other from Mazda Hiroshima (MC).  The MRA model was a traditional long-hood / short-deck styled concept that emphasized the engine placement and highlighted on the rotary's specs past.  The MC styled concept had a more futuristic short-hood, long tail theme, and was found to be aerodynamically superior.  Despite this, the MRA design and specs was picked, and together the two teams refined the model and implemented aerodynamic elements from the MC design with the specs.  The choice was made by Mazda only, without outside assistance.  Early in the development, stylists thought that to accurately assess the visual impact of a sports car, it must be demonstrated while moving to establish the specs.  The car was fitted with a one-cylinder lawnmower engine in the trunk.  About halfway through the development in 1988, the Japanese government lifted a small-car tax that previously applied to vehicles over 1.7-meters in width, and with displacements over 2.0 liters.  Designed to fit within that guideline, the decision was made to widen the car so the specs were changed.  These specs allowed for wider, 225mm series tires and 8" wide wheels, which improved the look of the car and the handling.

Specs

Below are some of the styling specs of the RX-7

• Aero-Wave Roof - a double-bubble design that improves aerodynamics as well as looks.
• Rotor shape in grill opening specs.