A pure rotary sports
Mazda RX-7 FD3S (Introduced December 1991)
The RX-7 was introduced in 1991 (Heisei 3). When the car was launched, Mazda sold the car from one of its sales divisions, “Efini”. That is why the car was called the “Efini RX-7” when launched, but Mazda soon closed the Efini division and sold the car simply under the Mazda name.
Equipped with a 2-rotor rotary engine producing 255 hp, the car boasted great agility with its lightweight body. Although its maximum output was not powerful as the Skyline GT-R’s 280 hp, the RX-7 achieved a power-to-weight ratio of 4.9 kg/hp.
The sequential twin-turbo mated with the rotary engine had a unique mechanism. When the engine was running at low RPM, only the primary turbine operated. But when the driver steps on the gas to go high RPM, the secondary turbine operates to produce higher horsepower.
Improvements were made five times until the model itself was discontinued in 2002. The very last model, known as the “Type 5”, reached a maximum output of 280 hp.
“I loved the previous model, but when the FD RX-7 was released, I was hooked at first sight. I remember being shocked by its futuristic image at the time.”, says a former owner of the FD3S.
“I was also satisfied with its performance and felt that it was a car that handled well. In my mind, I was saying, “A sports car is not only about power,” so I think I had a lot of rivalry with the Skyline GT-R. I’ve also driven a Skyline GT-R before, but I was surprised by the weight that can be felt from the steering, and I remember being very tired after just a little bit of driving.”
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After Mazda discontinued the RX-7, the company’s rotary sports model was taken over by the RX-8, which was eventually discontinued in 2012.
However, Mazda has publicly stated that they are continuing to research and develop the rotary engine.
At the Tokyo Motor Show 2015, Mazda unveiled the RX-VISION, a concept car powered by the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine.
“The RX-VISION is based on Mazda’s design theme, ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’, and represents Mazda’s dream of creating the most beautiful RWD sports car ever.”
“The name SKYACTIV-R, just like the SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, represents Mazda’s ambition to break through the conventional wisdom and to solve problems with the latest technology,” Mazda said during the unveiling of the RX-VISION concept.
And as for the successor of the R35 GT-R, some reports have suggested that it might go electric, being a model that takes environmental performance into consideration.
Expectations from both fans are high as the entire automotive industry shifts on to electrification, wondering whether carmakers continue to produce these high-performance cars.
