Mazda RX-7 The Japanese Sports Car

The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car that was produced in Japan beginning in 1978 and ending in 2002. The most unique feature of the car was its featuring of a rotary or Wankel engine. The RX-7 was a replacement for the RX-3 and eventually was the only rotary engine vehicle produced by Mazda other than the Cosmo.

The rotary engine in the first of the RX-7s was only 1150 cc. The motor featured a twin rotor engine and the vehicle was rear wheel drive. Wankel invented his engine in Germany, but Mazda is one of the few car manufacturers to ever successfully use these engines. The company faced an uphill climb as they went through the fuel crisis of the 1970s with the engine that burned more fuel.

Rotary engines are lighter in weight that other gasoline engines. They can be built from aluminum and are popular in use of air craft, but their use in land vehicles has been very limited. Mazda owners often brag about the smooth running rotary engines.

While the rotary engine is easier to modify to meet fuel emissions standards, Mazda had problems with these modifications causing the engine to require even more fuel. Fortunately, by 1984, the fuel economy was up to an estimated 29 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg for the city. In the RX-8, fuel economy is comparable to other vehicles of its size and weight.

Mazda introduced the RX-7 as a sports coupe. The sports coupe featured the mid mounted engine for greater stability. In the United Sates, the coupe was a two seater although in Japan the four seat edition was introduced. In the U. S. There was an option for a dealer installed option of two back seats.

In the later part of the 80's Mazda redesigned the RX-7 and styled it to look like the popular Porsche. In 1988, they introduced the RX-7 convertible who's production continued until 1992. While it was being produced, the convertible was rated as the best convertible that had ever been produced.

The RX-7 started its third generation in 1992, but sales of the RX-7 stopped in the United States sometime in 1995. Only a limited number of RX-7s were shipped to the Stated during 1992, but the vehicle continued to be sold in several other countries around the world.

The Mazda RX-8 eventually replaced the RX-7 world wide. It was first introduced into the United States in 2001 at an auto show, but sales did not begin until 2004. The RX-8 continues Mazda's tradition of the rotary engine, however it offers seating in the vehicle for four as standard.

Andy Zain is the admin of Mazda RX-7 Forums , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Mazda RX-7. Get the information you need when you visit Mazda Forums