Mazda RX-7. The RX-7 was a shapely coupe, in appearance more than a match for its class contemporari
The Togo Kogyo company kept faith with the rotary engine while others put it to one side — the millionth Mazda with this form of power unit was produced in 1979 — and introduced its first large-scale production rotary-engined sports car, the RX-7, early in 1978 (the less-than-inspiring Cosmo Sports having been built in small numbers from 1967-70). The RX-7 was a shapely coupe, in appearance more than a match for its class contemporaries such as the Porsche 924 and Triumph TR7. Like them, it was front-engined, the compactness of the rotary unit meaning that it could be set well back from the nose, thereby providing a 51/49 weight distribution and facilitating good aerodynamics (drag coefficient with headlights retracted was only 0.34 in the 1981 RX-7SE). Suspension followed the well-tried McPherson strut ifs and live rear axle combination which worked well enough, even if back end behaviour was not entirely faultless in hard driving. The engine was a refined version of the twin-rotor unit used in the RX-3 saloon, appropriate for a sports car because of its narrower power band and its above-average fuel consumption (when driven hard), both aspects being more acceptable in this employment. An exhaust thermal reactor largely kept the emission problem in check, and save for minor details the engine was standard for all markets. Equivalent capacity was 2292cc (2 x 2 x 573cc) and it was rated at 105bhp, which proved good for a 188kph (117mph) maximum speed and acceleration only marginally below par for the class. Up to 165bhp was developed in 'production' racing versions, while in 1980 the BAE Turbosystems turbo version was approved; this raised maximum bhp to 171 at 5500rpm, and the claimed maximum speed to 217kph (135mph). The RX-7 was nominally a 2 +2 in European markets, but was more realistically listed as a two-seater in the USA, with a flat luggage platform behind the seats; the cockpit was well fitted-out, and visibility was reasonable. Mazda produced competition accessories, such as spoilers and suspension components, early in the car's life, and from 1979 the EX-7 was actively raced in various guises, especially in the USA, where good placings fell to RX-7s in IMSA events and two cars placed fifth and sixth in the 1979 Daytona 24-hours, while another broke world class records at Bonneville. It was also seen in British production saloon racing, where its appearance (let alone its first outright victory!) led to some acrimony; in 1980, the RX-7 won this Group 1 championship.
Specification (road cars) Engine: Wankel rotary with twin rotors in line; 2292cc; side inlet/circumferential exhaust valves; Nippon carburettor; 105bhp at 6000rpm. Gearbox: five-speed manual. Chassis: unitary; front suspension independent by McPherson struts, coil springs and anti-roll bar; rear suspension by live axle, upper and lower trailing arms, coil spring/damper units and anti-roll bar; disc front/drum rear brakes. Dimensions: wheelbase 242cm/95in; front track 142cm/56in; rear track 140cm/55in.
