Reliving the Glory Days of Japanese Sports Cars with the Mazda RX-7 on Ignition
09-07-12, 07:59 AM
#1
Reliving the Glory Days of Japanese Sports Cars with the Mazda RX-7 on Ignition
Although 1995 marked the last year of the Mazda RX-7 in the U.S., the rotary-powered sports car remained on sale in Japan until 2002. The last 1500 models built were called the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R. On this episode of Ignition, Carlos Lago drives the only left-hand drive RX-7 Spirit R ever built.
This particular RX-7 Spirit R, a Spec A model, features the most hardcore factory-installed parts available including Recaro seats, rear seat delete (available on Japanese models), adjustable rear wing, forged BBS wheels, Bilstein shocks, and drilled brake rotors. The RX-7’s twin-turbo 1.3-liter twin-rotary engine was designed during the Japanese 276-hp pact that limited sports cars’ power levels. Lago says the horsepower limit forced automakers to focus on the overall package, leading to sharper inputs and lighter weight, plus improved handling.
The RX-7’s rotary featured a pair of sequential turbochargers: the first for the lower half of the rev band and the other for the upper half. Power deliver is smooth, but at about 4500 rpm the second turbocharger takes over, which could be dangerous mid-corner in a car without traction or stability control systems.
After spending some seat time in the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R, Lago compares the discontinued sports car with the driving experience of the modern MX-5 Miata, recently discontinued RX-8 as well as the new Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins. Get Lago’s thoughts on the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R in the video below.
This particular RX-7 Spirit R, a Spec A model, features the most hardcore factory-installed parts available including Recaro seats, rear seat delete (available on Japanese models), adjustable rear wing, forged BBS wheels, Bilstein shocks, and drilled brake rotors. The RX-7’s twin-turbo 1.3-liter twin-rotary engine was designed during the Japanese 276-hp pact that limited sports cars’ power levels. Lago says the horsepower limit forced automakers to focus on the overall package, leading to sharper inputs and lighter weight, plus improved handling.
The RX-7’s rotary featured a pair of sequential turbochargers: the first for the lower half of the rev band and the other for the upper half. Power deliver is smooth, but at about 4500 rpm the second turbocharger takes over, which could be dangerous mid-corner in a car without traction or stability control systems.
After spending some seat time in the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R, Lago compares the discontinued sports car with the driving experience of the modern MX-5 Miata, recently discontinued RX-8 as well as the new Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins. Get Lago’s thoughts on the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R in the video below.
http://wot.motortrend.com/reliving-t...#ixzz25jkoq5za
09-07-12, 08:13 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
great video.....altho I would have liked to see some actual road testing.
I always liked the last RX7, but it was priced too high IMO.
I always liked the last RX7, but it was priced too high IMO.
Last edited by bagwell; 09-07-12 at 08:24 AM.
09-07-12, 10:42 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
High prices, growing insurance premiums, and the refusal of the manufacturers to decontent or lower the prices of those vehicles (Mazda RX-7, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, Nissan 300ZX, Toyota Supra, Dodge Stealth Turbo) is what killed them off in the mid-1990s. The reps from these manufacturers were repeatedly warned that those cars were too expensive, yet the marketers kept trying to push them with 40K prices....which, of course, was a lot more money back then than it is now.
Eventually, though, Nissan, alone among them, did it right. They brought back a new 350Z (now 370Z) which had a more reasonable price....though the 350 had some quality-issues. Mazda brought back an RX-8 rear-half-door coupe, but it did not prove successful....perhaps either because of its strange design or serious lack of torque and gas/oil-use issue.
Eventually, though, Nissan, alone among them, did it right. They brought back a new 350Z (now 370Z) which had a more reasonable price....though the 350 had some quality-issues. Mazda brought back an RX-8 rear-half-door coupe, but it did not prove successful....perhaps either because of its strange design or serious lack of torque and gas/oil-use issue.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-08-12 at 09:33 AM.
09-10-12, 04:23 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
I love the videos Motortrend has been producing lately. This is a really special car, especially being the only one that is LHD! It's hard to think how old that car is now.
09-11-12, 06:49 AM
#6
Lexus Champion
Yeah, the only Left Hand Drive RX-7 (FD) Spirit R VERSION A spec vehicle in the world 
This car is a legend and was one of the strong definitions of a Mazda Sports car back in the 90s (along with the MX5 Miata Roadsters).
A car that is epic during its time and even to this day, enthusiasts still refer to how capable this car is (even if it's already more than 10-20 years old).
A legend =)
This car is a legend and was one of the strong definitions of a Mazda Sports car back in the 90s (along with the MX5 Miata Roadsters).
A car that is epic during its time and even to this day, enthusiasts still refer to how capable this car is (even if it's already more than 10-20 years old).
A legend =)
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