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MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) 1978-1985 Photos, engines & full specs

Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) 1978-1985 8 Photos
MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) (1978-1985)

Mazda opened a new chapter in its history when it introduced the first generation of the RX-7 in 1978.

While it was not the first car fitted with a Wankel rotary engine, it was the first car Mazda produced to stir the international sports car market. It was unusual in every way, and the carmaker sold it in high numbers.

Matsaburo Maeda designed the car as a lightweight sport-coupe. He placed the engine behind the front axle, and thus it helped with the weight distribution. Since the engineers pushed the engine back, the front was very narrow and, thanks to its pop-up headlights, very aerodynamic as well. The raked windshield and the short roof were followed by a long and sloped rear window, which was also the trunk lid.

Inside, the carmaker managed to offer four seats, but those in the rear were too small actually to allow someone bigger than a puddle to sit there. At the front, the dashboard was rounded, with circular vents on the outer side and rectangular in the middle. The instrument panel featured a tachometer marked up to 8,000 rpm, with a red-line starting at 7,000 rpm. That was motorcycle territory!

Under the hood, Mazda installed small, 1.2-liter, and 1.5-liter engines with a twin-rotor design. Depending on the engine version, the RX-7 featured a 4- or 5-speed manual. A 3- or 4-speed automatic was offered as an option for the U.S. market.

MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB) 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
  2 gasoline engines
  • 2.3 Rotary (FB)
  • 2.3 Rotary (SA)

MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB)
2.3 Rotary (FB)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.3 Rotary (FB)
Cylinders:R2
Displacement:2292 cm3
Power:85 KW @ 7000 RPM
115 HP @ 7000 RPM
114 BHP @ 7000 RPM
Torque:112 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM
152 Nm @ 5000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:120 mph (193 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.5 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:Manual, 5 Speed
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Discs
DIMENSIONS
Length:169 in (4293 mm)
Width:65.9 in (1674 mm)
Height:50 in (1270 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.9/55.1 in (1,420/1,400 mm)
Wheelbase:95.3 in (2421 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.32
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2194 lbs (995 kg)

MAZDA RX-7 (SA/FB)
2.3 Rotary (SA)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.3 Rotary (SA)
Cylinders:R2
Displacement:2292 cm3
Power:77 KW @ 6000 RPM
105 HP @ 6000 RPM
103 BHP @ 6000 RPM
Torque:106 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
144 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:115 mph (185 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):9.6 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:Manual, 5 Speed
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Discs
DIMENSIONS
Length:168.7 in (4285 mm)
Width:65.9 in (1674 mm)
Height:50 in (1270 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.9/55.1 in (1,420/1,400 mm)
Wheelbase:95.3 in (2421 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.36
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2259 lbs (1025 kg)
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