The RX-7 is a sports car produced by the Japanese automaker Mazda from 1978 to 2002. The original featured a 1146cc twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine and a sporty front-midship, rear-wheel drive layout. It was a direct replacement for the RX-3 (both were sold in Japan as the Savanna) and subsequently replaced all other Mazda rotary cars with the exception of the Cosmo.

The original Mazda RX-7 was a sports coupé. The compact and light-weight Wankel engine or rotary engine is situated slightly behind the front axle, a configuration marketed by Mazda as "front mid-engine". It was offered in America as a two-seat coupé, with optional "occasional" rear-seats in Japan, Australia, and other parts of the world. The "occasional" rear-seats were initially marketed as a dealer installed option for the North American markets.

The RX-7 made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list five times. In total, 811,634 were produced.[1]

First generation (SA/FB)

• The Mazda RX7 Series 1 (1979-1980) is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of the Mazda had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."
• Series 2 Mazda (1981-1983) had integrated plastic-covered bumpers, wide black rubber body side moldings, wraparound taillights and updated engine control components. The GSL package provided optional 4-wheel disc brakes, front ventilated (only on the Australian model of the Mazda) and clutch-type rear limited slip differential (LSD). Known as the "FB" in North America after the US Department of Transportation mandated 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number changeover. Elsewhere in the world, the 1981-1985 Mazda RX-7 retained the 'SA22C' VIN prefix. As a result, enthusiasts outside North America never picked up the "FB" nickname. The license-plate surround looks much like Buhrer's "Styling Impressions."[citation needed]
• Series 3 (1984-1985) of the Mazda featured an updated lower front fascia. North American models of the Mazda received a different instrument cluster (the NA S3 is the only rotary-engined car to not have a centrally mounted tachometer). GSL package was continued into this series, but Mazda introduced the GSL-SE sub-model. The GSL-SE had a fuel injected 1.3 L 13B RE-EGI engine producing 135 hp (101 kW) and 135 lb•ft (183 N•m). GSL-SEs 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 4x114.3 (4x4.5"). Also, Mazda had upgraded suspension with stiffer springs and shocks. The external air-oil oil cooler was reintroduced, after being dropped in the 1983 model-year for the controversial "beehive" water-oil heat exchanger.

Second generation (FC)

• Series 4 (1986-1988) of the Mazda was available with a naturally aspirated, fuel-injected 13B-VDEI producing 146 hp (108 kW). An optional turbocharged model, known as the Turbo II in the American market, had 189 hp (135 kW).
• The Series 5 Mazda (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 Mazda Series 5 FC made 160 hp (119 kW), while the Series 5 Turbo made 200 hp (147 kW).

Third generation (FD)

• Mazda Series 6 (1992-1995)
• Mazda Series 7 (1996-1998)
• Mazda Series 8 (January 1999- August 2002) was the final series, and was only available in the Japanese market.