A Lightweight Rotary Sports Car

The Mazda RX-7 was produced from 1978 until 2002 across three generations, with every generation using Mazda's compact Wankel rotary engine. The final generation, known as the FD, introduced a more sophisticated design focused heavily on low weight, balanced handling and performance. Mazda described its development goal as creating a world-class rotary-engine sports car.

The Series 6

This example is a Series 6 FD RX-7, produced between 1992 and 1995. The Series 6 was one of the earlier versions of the third-generation RX-7 and was offered in several specifications.

The R designation identifies the lightweight sports model. Weight-saving was an important part of the FD's design philosophy, helping the car achieve an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

The Rotary Engine

At the heart of the RX-7 is Mazda's 13B-REW two-rotor Wankel engine. Unlike a conventional piston engine, the rotary uses rotating triangular-shaped rotors instead of pistons, allowing Mazda to create a compact and lightweight power unit.

The FD's engine was fitted with sequential twin turbochargers, giving the RX-7 strong performance while maintaining relatively smooth power delivery across the rev range. Mazda's development of the car placed considerable emphasis on keeping the engine and overall vehicle weight low.

Sequential Twin Turbochargers

The twin-turbo system was one of the most technically interesting features of the FD RX-7. Developed with assistance from Hitachi, the system was considerably more complex than a conventional twin-turbo arrangement.

At lower engine speeds, the first turbocharger provides the main boost. As the engine speed rises, the second turbocharger is brought into operation through a series of valves, actuators and pressure controls.

The changeover occurs at approximately 4,000 to 4,500 rpm and allows the engine to continue producing strong power towards the top of its rev range.

A Japanese Performance Icon

The combination of a lightweight chassis, rear-wheel drive, compact rotary engine and sequential twin-turbocharging gave the RX-7 a unique character.

The FD became one of the defining Japanese sports cars of the 1990s and remains particularly admired for its elegant design, sophisticated engineering and distinctive rotary engine. Its combination of lightweight construction and advanced turbocharging technology helped establish the RX-7 as one of Mazda's most memorable performance cars.