The year was 1991, Nissan had released its 300ZX twin-turbo. Honda's NSX was one of the only cars in decades that had a spec to put fear into the primarily European competition including the RX7. 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 RX7 (FD3S), is one of dedication and attention to detail with an excellent spec. The project began in 1986, just after the release of the second generation (FC3S) RX7, and at a time when a Japanese sports car revival was just over the horizon with each car having an incredible spec.
Takaharu Kobayakawa, the program manager on the RX7 project, was determined that the changeover to the new RX7 model was not a Zevolution but had a spec 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 RX7 was to symbolize Mazda's 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 RX7. In June, 1987, the two best sketches for the RX7 were chosen from each studio. Full-size rendering and 1/5 scale models of the RX7 were created for each of the designs. Two particular concepts for the RX7 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 RX7 model was a traditional long-hood / short-deck styled concept that emphasized the engine placement and highlighted on the rotary's past. The MC styled RX7 concept had a more futuristic short-hood, long tail theme, and was found to be aerodynamically superior. Despite this, the MRA design and specs were 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 such as the RX7, it must be demonstrated while moving. The RX7 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 RX7 so the specs were changed. These specs allowed for wider, 225mm series tires and 8 inch wide wheels, which improved the look of the RX7 as well as the handling.
Specs
Below are some of the styling specs of the RX7:
- Aero-Wave Roof - a double-bubble design that improves aerodynamics as well as looks.
Rotor shape in grill opening specs.
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