Mazda RX-7: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 18:15, 11 May 2005

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The '''Mazda RX-7''' (also called the '''[[Mazda Savanna|Savanna]]''' and '''[[Efini]] RX-7''') is a [[Mazda]] [[sports car]] first built in [[1978]]. The original RX-7 competed with other affordable [[sports car]]s of the era, such as the [[Z-car|Datsun/Nissan 280Z]], and was well received by the media. It features a unique twin-rotor [[Wankel engine|Wankel rotary engine]] and a sporty [[FR layout|front-midship]], [[rear wheel drive]] layout, making it well balanced and appropriate for [[driftingracing]]. The RX-7 was a direct replacement for the [[Mazda RX-3|RX-3]] (both were sold in Japan as the Savanna), but also indirectly replaced nearly every other rotary car made by the company since all but the [[Mazda Cosmo|Cosmo]] had been retired the previous year.

The RX-7 is a true [[sports coupe]] design, as opposed to a [[sports car]] like the [[Triumph TR6]] or a [[sedan (car)|saloon]] with sporting intentions. The relatively light [[Wankel engine]] was situated slightly behind the front [[axle]]. It was offered in [[United States|America]] as a 2 seat coupe, with four seats being optional in [[Japan]], [[Australia]], and other parts of the world. The handling and [[acceleration]] of the car were noted to be of a high calibre for its day. The car went from 0-60 mph in 9.2 s, and could get 0.779 lateral Gs on the skidpad. The engine produced 100 horsepower (75 kW) @ 6000 rpm, allowing the car to reach speeds of over 120 mph (190 km/h). Because the engine was so smooth, with no excess vibration or harsh noise at high rpm, a buzzer was fitted to the [[tachometer]] to warn the driver when the 7000 rpm redline was approaching.