Test Drive Mazda RX-7 FD 1992 - 2002 coupe
Mazda RX-7 Type RZ Car Overview
Idea with a 23-year history Everything, probably, remember as one day on the pages of automotive magazines in the graph of the news suddenly a message appeared that Mazda prepares for the release of the world's first sports car equipped with a rotor-piston vannel engine - a model called RX-7, The car that did not fit into the overall trend of the automotive industry. Did not fit in the very good sense of the word. It would be interesting to know how the family of Mazda is now related to the company Ford to the fact that this model continues to be updated and replenished with new modifications? Whatever it was, the fact remains: on October 18, 2000, it was announced on the sale of a new configuration of Mazda RX-7 - Type RZ. And immediately followed the warning that such machines will be made extremely limited number - only 175 pieces.
Unlike the basic configuration, Rz has only 2 bucket seats designed by special order by Recaro. On this car also installed 17-inch BBS wheels and reinforced Bilstein shock absorbers. In addition, in the cabin there is a steering wheel of a special design from the company Nardi, and the body is painted in white color of a special shade.
Is it worth reminding that the RX-7 abbreviation itself is already habitually associated with the speed, sports car! However, the noise that breaks out of the exhaust pipe and the incessant roar of a powerful motor, by the standards of urban life, is a significant disadvantage.
However, the new modification of the RZ of these flaws is almost completely deprived. So she to some extent returned to himself the features of the car inscribed in the way of life of the city inhabitant, and at the same time improved its already serious high-speed characteristics. Let me remind you that the first car, the name Mazda RX-7, appeared to the world nine years ago, in 1991. But now, with the advent of the modification of the RZ, it can be said that ideas laid in this model are communicated to complete perfection. I believe that among Japanese cars RX-7 can be called the most sporty. In an advertising booklet, I read this phrase: all those advantages were found in this car, about which before this for the whole 23 years could only dream of!. And it seems to me that it is not just a tribute to advertising.
Machine General This version of the machine is already the 3rd generation of the RX-7 model range. If you take into account the Savanna RX-7 car with the body of the coupe, then, perhaps, such generations can already have four. On October 16, 1991, a car was put on the court of buyers, called EFINI RX-7. This is the only sports car at the moment with a rotary piston engine. The Motor 13B series is still characteristic of its feature, which is almost unchanged from the previous model: two rotary chambers located in a row, with a volume of 654 cu. See each, water-cooled. The intake system includes two turbines - big and small. In other words, a dual turbine of a serial connection.
RX-7 is currently available in three modifications. In addition to the sets with a 5-speed manual gearbox, there is an option with a 4-speed automaton. This is the mild RB modification. Sports modifications R and RS are equipped with the aforementioned 5-speed MCPP. The modification that I tried to try out (RZ) an exclusive version released as already mentioned in the amount of only 175 units. The body is painted in a special color - a pearl on white snow. In addition, the car boasts 17-inch wheels, tightened by Bilstein shock absorbers, red-shaped armmen. And before the front passenger's seat, the aluminum plate for the legs lists.
Evaluation from within
Interior equipment of the cabin and front panel - 3 points
If you evaluate the design of the cabin in a nutshell, then I will say this: everything is not new. The debut of the car took place in 1991, so it was difficult to imagine that in nine years she will not undergo any changes at all. Outdated white dials, who have already released from fashion, look somehow unnatural. And the air conditioner's console, which, regardless of the category of the cabin, has manual control? Long past time!
Front chairs - 4 points Sitting with flat pillows from Recaro type full bucket can only be adjusted over the angle of inclination. But, oddly enough, it does not cause special inconvenience. After all, on the one hand, the chair reliably holds the body in turns. And on the other, the upper part of the body, however, has a rather significant stock of freedom of movement. So such a chair reminds of its form only when landing or disembarking.
It should be noted that rear seats are removed to facilitate the machine from its salon. And the box is installed in their place for transporting small items. Moreover, you can still put a suitcase like a diplomat or, say, a handbag.
Luggage compartment - 1 point
Trunk, in truth, low. Therefore, you will not be able to put anything big there. At the same time, do not forget that RX-7 is a purely sporty vehicle, what questions may be or discontent?
What is the car on the go?
Engine and transmission - 4 points
Compared with the usual internal combustion engine, everything is not so here. Not so much increase or drop revolutions, the power and torque, no noise, nor shaking, is not so distributed. Before the engine could be evaluated by the scheme like it - not
like. And here such criteria seem not applicable. Motor pickup increases smoothly, not at all as in other machines. The gearbox due to the above reasons is also not subject to an accurate estimate in a comparative plan. However, I suppose that it would not hurt to provide for another transmission so that the speeds were six. Comfort and steering - 5 points
Behind the wheel of the former model on the uneven road surface, the received strikes were largely transmitted to the steering wheel, so the driver felt very good. Now everything is different. The blow at the time of contacting the tire with the road is well evacuated by the suspension. Spring strains and does not go deeper. By the standards of the sports car, such comfort is quite sufficient.
The controllability of the machine and used to be high, and now it has become even more honed. This is to some extent due to the lower location of the engine and its movement closer to the cabin. Due to the active use of aluminum alloys in the manufacture of parts, the machine was easier, the docking of the gearbox and the differential is made through the frame, which also influenced the quality of control.
Total rating 5 points
Test results Content author: Kaneko Hirohisa (Kaneko Hirohisa)
Test date: November 7, 2000
Type of car test: Advertising sample.
Year of release of a test car: 2000
Common mileage at the time of testing: 2451 km.
Tires: Front - 235/45R17, rear - 255/40ZR17. In both cases, Bridgestone Potenza S-07.
The purpose of the test: getting a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe behavior of the car on the go (as part of the presentation of the new press machine).
Movement schedule: urban trait high-speed highway mountain road.
Distance traveled during testing: 387.4 km.
Common fuel consumption: 83.4 liters.
Approximate fuel consumption: 1 liter on 4.6 km of way or about 21.7 liters per 100 km.
Specifications Mazda RX-7 Type Rz
Body sizes (length / width / height)
4285 mm / 1760 mm / 1230 mm
Wheelbase
2425 mm
Weight car
1270 kg
Drive unit
Rear
Engine
2-chamber rotary volume of 654 cubic meters. CM in each chamber, turbine with an internal cooler, developed power - 280 hp at 6500 rpm, the maximum torque is 32.0 kg / m at 5000 rpm.
Transmission
5-Stouplen MCPP
Basic price of the car
3 .998.000 yen (about $ 36 .300)
Price of the car on which the test trip was performed
3 .998.000 yen (about $ 36 .300)
Author: Kaneko Hirohisa (Kaneko Hirohisa)
Photo: Cavano Atsuki (Kawano Atsuki)
November 2000
A source: webcg.
