1993 Mazda RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 was in production from 1978 through 2002 with 811,634 examples produced. The third generation of the Mazda RX-7 (chassis code FD3S for Japan and JM1FD for North America) appeared in the spring of 1993 and remained in production through 2002 with 68,589 examples built.

The Wankel 80 cubic-inch rotary engine was fitted with twin turbochargers and air-to-air coolers. With two coaxial three-lobe rotors, this small-displacement engine was capable of producing an impressive 255 horsepower. The 2-passenger coupe could race from zero-to-sixty mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The third-generation RX-7 wore new styling by Yoichi Sato and Wu-Huang Chin.

The 1993 Mazda RX-7 was available as the base, Touring, and the R. The Touring added a sunroof, leather seats, fog lights, a Bose Acoustic Wave system, and a rear window wiper. The R had upgraded springs, Bilstein shocks, an additional engine oil cooler, suede seats, and an aerodynamics package that included a rear window and a front lip. The R package for 1994 and 1995 had a slightly softer suspension.

The 1993 Mazda RX-7 had a base price of $32,500, making it the most expensive vehicle in the Mazda lineup. The 323 listed at $8,000, the Protege was priced from $9,700 to $11,300, and the 626 ranged from the low-$14,000 to the mid-$21,000s. The 929 sedan was the closest to the RX-7, with prices that ranged from $29,200 to $31,000. For buyers seeking a similar two-door sport car persona, Mazda also had the $15,300 Miata Roadster, powered by a four-cylinder engine that developed 116 horsepower.

In 1993 the Mazda RX-7 was named Motor Trend magazine's Import Car of the Year and one of Car and Driver's Ten Best.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019