Racing Rotary

1979 RX7 debuts in spring 1978 as a 79 model. Powered by 100 horespower 12A engine displacing 1146cc. A Nikki 4 barrel carburetor provided fuel. 3 Transmissions were available: 4 and 5 speed manual, or 3 speed Automatic. Cost and time restraints required recirculating ball steering, front disc/rear drum brakes, and 13" wheels. Early 79 models lacked passenger-side rearview mirror. US model was only available as a 2 seater.

1980 Electronic ignition replaced points system. The speedometer was limited to 85 mph per federal regualtion. Rear bumper had two rubber nubs below the rub strip.Antenna length increased 8" for better reception. Vinyl upholstry became optional. Anniversary and Leather Sport edition available. The anniversary edition includedspecial upholstery on new seats, side mirrors that were manualy controlled from the inside and optional alloy wheels. The Leather Sport option included full leather upholstery, a sunroof and gold alloy wheels.

1981 Thermal reactor was replaced by a pair of catalytic converters. 4 speed manual dropped, 5 speed was now standard. A rear anti-roll bar, electric remote fuel filler release and intermittent wipers became standard. Black Mazda emblems replaced bright ones on the hood and the rear deck. Wiper side molding intergrated and front and rear bumpers together and incoperated sidemarker lights. Turn signals were recessed into the corners of the front bumper. Front and rear bumpers were more aerodynamic. License plate moved below rear bumper. GSL model replaced LEather Sport package and received rear disc brakes and limited slip differential.

1982 No Major Changes Were Made.

1983 Oil cooler was moved from under the radiator to under the oil filter. 130MPH speedometer returned. Pop-out sunroof became standard on the GS model. New heater ventilation controls and lumbar adjustment seats were available. 5,000 limited Edition models introduced, with CHateau Silver paint with red pin striping. They also featured a special sound system, pop out sunroof, cruise control, air conditioning, and a red Velour interior.

1984 GSL-SE models was introduced with 13B fuel injected engine. Engine displacement increased to 1,308cc, with 135 hp and 6 Port Induction System. 4 speed overdrive automatic with lock up torque converter was optional on GS and GSL versions, replacing the 3 speed. Speed-dependent variable power steering assist was optional on GSL models. Rear-trailing arms were dropped 20mm to provide roll understeer.

1985 Wheels on all models had 5 1/2 wide rims. Last Year for the 12A engine.

1986 2nd Generation introduced. Turbo charged version was offered for the first time. Engine modifications on normally aspirated 13B increased horsepower to 146, turbo version had 182. Two transmissions available, Mazda 5 Speed manual and Jatco 4 speed automatic. All Models featured fully independent rear suspension. Auto-adjusting suspension was standard on the GXL. Base models had single piston front calipers; GXL and sports-package equipped models used 4 piston front calipers. 4 wheel disc brakes standard on all models. Rear seats were available for the first time.

1987 Anti-lock braking was added as an option on GXL and Turbo models. Starter interlock added to manual transmissions (Clutch had to be depressed for the car to start)

1988 Factory built convertible offered which added 378 pounds. Base models now called SE, a new GTU model was added, Standard on the GTU was the sport tuned suspension, sport seats, aerodynamic body pieces, limited slip defferential and body colored electric mirrors. 10th anniversary package offered ABS, leather upholstery and a special audio system. All 1500 cars came in monochromatic white.

1989 Base engine horsepower increased to 160, turbo models to 200Hp. Engines received more refinment, more compression, lighter rotors and better breathing. Automatic transmission was available in the convertable for the first time. GTU became the base model. GTU-S came with the handling package of the Turbo models, with normally aspirated engine. Body recieved mild face lift and body colored rubstrips.

1990 Airbag passive restraint for the convertable available. The GTU-S model was dropped after 100 models were produced.

1991 Only 3 models were offered: coupe, Turbo, and Convertable. The GTU and the GXL models merged, simply named the Rx7 Coupe.

1992 No New Models were produced. 1991 model sales carried over into 1992.

1993 3rd Generation introduced. Sequential Twin Turbo 13B, 255 Horsepower was the only engine available. ABS was standard. 3 Models were available: Base, Touring, and the R1. Base models had cloth seats with air conditioning and cruise control optional. Touring package included Bose sound system, driving lights, cruise control, power sunroof, leather seats, CD player, Rear wiper and Cargo cover. R1 model came with dual oil coolers, front strut brace, stiffer suspension, front and rear spoilers.

1994 R1 Models became the R2 model. Dual air bag standard. All Models were given softer rides, Front castor was increased for improved tracking. The rear sway bar diameter was reduced on base and touring models.

1995 Mazda Decided to discontinue exporting RX7s to the US, how ever they continued to be sold elsewhere around the world.