1994 Mazda RX-7

In 1931, the Toyo Kogyo Company of Hiroshima, Japan, moved from manufacturing machine tools to vehicles, and during the 1960s, they were inspired by the NSU and their use of the Wankel rotary engine. The use of this technology made them unique amongst the other Japanese vehicle manufacturers and helped further distinguish them as a unique product when they formally entered the U.S. market in 1970. Their rotary-powered small pickup truck allowed them to gain a foothold in the U.S., and over the ensuing decades, Mazda became the sole manufacturer of rotary-powered vehicles worldwide. In 1984, the company formally changed its name to Mazda.

The RX7 was introduced in 1978 and quickly found a devoted group of followers thanks to its excellent handling and performance. Mazda's third generation of the RX-7 incorporated experience and knowledge from the Mazda 787B, the first-ever Japanese entry to win at Le Mans, and was comprised of what Mazda called a Space Monocoque Body that merges unit-body and space-frame construction for maximum rigidity. With meticulous attention to weight reduction, the RX-7 weighed just over 2,800 pounds.

For 1994, Mazda added several improvements to the RX-7, including an improved suspension system and a new performance package. The R-1 was replaced by the R-2. Mazda offered a new option package that featured a power sunroof, cargo cover, and leather seating. Pricing for the 2-door coupe began at $33,600.

The twin-rotor 13B Wankel engine had two coaxial three-lobe rotors with twin Hitachi HT12 sequential turbochargers, air-to-air intercoolers, multipoint fuel injection, and displaced 80 cubic inches (1.3 liters). The delivery of boost within the turbochargers varied, with one providing boost at low revs and the second kicking in under hard acceleration higher in the rev range. The 255 horsepower and 217 lb-ft of torque produced from the engine were sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox, and Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential. The compact and lightweight rotary sat behind the front axle in a front-mid-engine configuration for 50/50 weight distribution. It used an all-aluminum 4-wheel double-wishbone independent suspension, RPM-sensitive power steering, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and 5-spoke alloy wheels. The aerodynamic body incorporates steel, aluminum, and lightweight plastic for a low 0.31 drag coefficient and near-zero lift.

The interior contained a 3-spoke perforated leather steering wheel, drilled aluminum control pedals, leather-wrapped shifter, inward-angled round gauges, and fog lamps to provide a driver-centric experience. Air conditioning, power windows, locks, and mirrors joined the Touring Package leather seats, a Bose cassette CD stereo, moon roof, driving lights, cruise control, rear cargo cover, and a rear wiper.

Playboy magazine chose the 1993 RX7 as their car of the year.

Even though the RX7 had stellar performance and handling, sales were never that strong, peaking in 1986 at 56,203 units and sliding every year after that. Only 2,210 cars were sold in 1994 out of a total of 3,403 produced for the US market.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012