The Origin Story of the JDM Legend the Mazda RX-7

During the 90s, the United States was focused on reclaiming its muscle car identity. However, in Japan, a new movement in sports car culture was taking place. Tuners were becoming popular, and having a sleek, low-riding sports car was the epitome of cool. This marked the beginning of the JDM wave.

Out of all the sports cars exported from Japan, three stand above the rest as the most sought-after JDM cars in existence: the Toyota Supra, the Nissan R33 and R34 GT-R, and the Mazda RX-7. Although Mazda hasn’t quite captured the same level of popularity as the other two, the RX-7 is undoubtedly an icon in the sports car world.

The FD represents the final generation of the RX-7 and was designed to be the ultimate version. Mazda delivered on that promise, creating a revolutionary sports car that not only turned heads but also became a tuner’s dream. From power-to-weight ratios to a unique boost system, Mazda pulled out all the stops to make the RX-7 one of the greatest sports cars in history.

It Took Many Years of Research to Develop the Mazda RX-7 FD

Mazda’s history as a performance car manufacturer is defined by their revolutionary powertrain, the Wankel rotary engine. Instead of a traditional piston engine, Mazda opted for a unique set-up that allowed for high revs and an unbeatable power-to-weight ratio thanks to its compact design. 

Every iteration of the Mazda FD RX-7 featured a twin-rotor set-up that was incredibly lightweight, with variations in power output. The rotary engine was the biggest strength of the Mazda FD RX-7. It was developed early enough that Mazda was able to create a purist sports car without emissions laws having a significant impact on their powertrain. However, these same emissions laws eventually led to the end of the powertrain in the RX-8.

Mazda’s dedication to perfecting the rotary engine is no secret, as they spent a great deal of time and money developing this unique powertrain. The iteration of the rotary engine that made its way into the RX-7 FD, particularly the Spirit R, is widely regarded as its peak. 

Mazda’s commitment to the rotary engine was admirable, and their efforts to continually refine and improve it paid off in the form of the RX-7 FD. With the Spirit R, Mazda created an incredible sports car that showcased the very best of their rotary engine technology. Even today, the RX-7 FD Spirit R remains an icon in the sports car world and a testament to Mazda’s engineering prowess.

The Mazda RX-7 FD was a speed demon of its time, thanks to the sequential twin-turbocharger, a lightweight rotary engine, and an incredibly aerodynamic body. Over the years, Mazda made several changes to the RX-7 to enhance its performance and design. However, with the realization that the RX-7 was no longer sustainable, Mazda decided to produce the Spirit R as the ultimate version of the sports car. The Spirit R was loaded with all the top-of-the-line features and exclusive modifications, such as cross-drilled brake rotors, making it the most powerful and desirable RX-7 ever built.

Photo Source: Mazda UK