Mazda RX7 Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Jul 03, 2020

There are some cars that are produced only once and made in such a way that they leave behind a legacy for years to come. This generation is particularly lucky to have witnessed some of the most iconic cars ever produced in the history of car manufacturing, and the Mazda RX-7 is certainly on that list. With an alien shape that is utterly impossible to replicate today, or in fact ever again, the Mazda RX-7 remains to this day a modern classic hailing from Japan.

 

Let us explain why we declared the Mazda RX-7 as not being replicated again. Actually, the car was made with the lowest center of gravity possible which meant that it had a low bonnet and cowl, a feat that is not allowed due to the safety regulations and legislations of today. Restrictions today are imposed to allow air pass over the engine to avoid any heating issues, and in the end, you get a car that has to be raised above a certain height. In the good old days when the RX-7 was produced, however, there were no such implications.

 

The third and the last generation of the series known as the Mazda RX-7 FD, was made to be a timeless beauty to compete against the Jaguar and Ferrari sports model at that time, back in 1988. It is true that it encompassed some of the features from the previous generations of the car, like the RX-7 rotary engine, so as to continue the heritage which came to be associated with their signature rotary.

 

Even though limited models were sold of the RX-7 FD in Australia, it is considered one of the best sports cars produced by any Japanese car manufacturing company in the 90s. One may ask what makes the RX-7 such an incredible car with an almost cult following. We try to answer just that in the next sections.

 

Mazda RX-7 Highlights:

The first generation of the Mazda RX-7 began in 1978 as a two-seat sports car. The most notable aspect of the car was its rotary engine. It started a new era of lightweight sports cars, along with a reasonable price tag. The first generation also featured a low center of gravity and a 1.2-liter rotary engine which gave it an impressive acceleration and superb handling.

 

Next came the Mazda RX-7 FC series, introducing the second generation of the car. The FC series features cars with greater engine specifications and an improved exterior styling which was derived considerably from the Dodge Daytona and the popular Porsche 944. It featured the same rotary engine but added a power steering and an optional adaptive independent suspension. It was named as the Car of the Year in 1986 by MotorTrend, even though the best was still to come.

 

There is a certain majestic feel in the number three, which proved to be the case with the third generation of the RX-7, namely the Mazda RX-7 FD series. It was released at a time when there was an ever-increasing competition by some of the other Japanese car manufacturing companies, Nissan, and Toyota. Keeping this in mind, Mazda came up with the best RX-7 variant till date, with an evergreen design and an engine that was never seen before. It earned the Car of the Year yet again by MotorTrend in 1993 and continued to be produced till 2000 in Japan. 

 

The Mazda RX-7 FD also helped Mazda bag many wins and titles in different motor sporting events globally, especially in drifting events. Its unconventional shape and superb performance on road earned it a legendary place in history, preserved through the depiction in movies, pop culture and video games.

 

Mazda RX-7 Features:

The exterior of the Mazda RX-7 FD is specifically designed to visually appeal to the buyer with its two-door coupe style and the long and wide hood line. Increasing the already swooping profile, Mazda added air vents just behind the front wheels. The rear end is one of the most iconic you will ever see, with a wide back and no straight line. Complementing the already sleek and cohesive look of the car, the headlights pop up when you need them and go back in the fenders for a sleek look. The parts and accessories are also available easily throughout the country from the different Mazda dealerships.

 

When you look at the interior, there is truly little room for doubt that this is purely a driver-centric car. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, while there is hardly much space to seat an adult on the rear seats. The center console, the instrument cluster, and the seats all compliment and make sure that the driver is in the most comfortable position to drive this car. 

 

The reviews for the Mazda RX-7 show that this is a lightweight vehicle and you will find the aluminum pedal and other features to confirm just that. It also featured cruise control and controls on the wheel, power windows and locks, heater, and an air-conditioner.

 

Mazda RX-7 Performance Review:

Based on a rear-wheel-drive layout, the RX-7 FD uses a front-mid 1.3-liter twin-turbocharged rotary engine. The red line for the rpm is at 8,000 which can be easily reached thanks to the power produced by the rotary engine. It outputs 255 hp and a max torque of 217 pound-feet when revved to 5,000 rpm. The RX-7 was made available in five-speed manual transmission, which was easily the favorite, and the less popular four-speed automatic.

 

The engine is what made the RX-7 such a legend, being one of the most unique specifications of the car. It allows for more power per displacement in return outputting a smooth operation and faster speeds. 

The rotary technology also is the one downside of this spectacular car. The engine produces a lot of heat, which becomes a danger due to the lack of ventilation and the undersized radiator. The radiator no doubt proves to be efficient in reducing the weight, but not much else. Moreover, the rotary engine is not eco-friendly when compared to today’s standards, and has a fuel efficiency which reaches a point of being called abysmal.