History of the car "Mazda RH7"

The Mazda RH7 model, the photo of which is in the article, is a legendary sports car produced in the period from 1978 to 2002 by the Japanese company of the same name. In the original version the machine was equipped with a two-section rotary-piston motor, designed by the German designer Felix Wankel.

First generation

In 1977, Mazda's executives decided to stop the production of a technically and morally outdated modification of PX3. It was replaced by a car corresponding to the realities of that time, the test sample of which was already undergoing tests at that time. A year later a serial version of the new product appeared, called "Mazda РХ7". The characteristics of the machine gave the developers every reason to rely on large sales. In particular, under its hood could be installed two versions of the power plant - gasoline rotary engines, the volume of which was 1.1 and 1.3 liters. The choice of the buyer offered two gearboxes - "automatic" for three stages and a four-speed "mechanics". The novelty was produced only in one version of the body - the coupe.

The Japanese company has divided the release of the debut generation of auto into three series. Each new version differed from the previous version with some technical and stylistic nuances. Together with this, they all had a common feature - a long hood with retractable headlights.

The second generation

In 1986, the second generation of the Mazda RX7 model was launched. The car's specifications have changed a little. More specifically, now it could be equipped with a 1.3-liter atmospheric or turbocharged power unit. The first version of the engine was intended exclusively for export, and the second - only for the domestic market. The exterior of the novelty was developed by the chief designer of the Japanese company Akio Ushiyama, who was inspired by the exterior of the Porsche 944. The idea of producing cars in series survived in the second generation.

In 1988, the model debuted in the back of a cabriolet. The peculiarity of the roof of this modification was that its design consisted of a metal front and fabric back, equipped with a window with heating.

The third generation

The third generation of Mazda RX7, which became the last generation, was born in 1992. The car was built on a platform with a shorter wheelbase. As a result, the novelty became shorter and lower. The style of the model, inherent in the previous generation, the designers saved. At the same time, streamlined lines began to predominate in the appearance of the novelty, which had a positive effect on the dynamism. "Mazda РХ7" got an outstanding forward front spoiler, while the headlamps with pivot pointers were combined into one block. Another interesting innovation in the exterior was the presence of a rounded rear window that opened with the boot lid.

The designers slightly changed the interior of the new version of the Mazda РХ7 model. The instrument panel was hidden under a visor of a rounded shape, due to which it stylistically combined with the central console. In the cabin there were numerous inserts under the carbon. The cabin was divided in half by a central tunnel. Front seats, even in standard configuration, had excellent lumbar and lateral support. As for the back row, it can only be called symbolic.

In the third generation, the Mazda РХ7 got modernized 1,3-liter power units, the power of which was 252, 261 or 276 horsepower. Their peculiarity was the availability of an innovative system of sequential turbo-supercharging. Thanks to it, when the engine is running at low speeds, only one turbine is turned on, and when the gas pedal is pressed hard, the second one is activated. The engine operated in conjunction with a mechanical transmission in five stages or a four-speed automatic.

End of story

In 1999, the car stopped shipping to the European market. Its production and sales in Japan continued for several more years. The finishing series was labeled Spirit R and was produced within one year. The last copy of it came off the assembly line in 2002. Next spring, the official debut of the PX8 model took place.

Anyway, for 24 years of production the car "Mazda РХ7" has won millions of admirers all over the world. In history, he entered as the only sports coupe on the planet, under the hood of which is installed rotary-piston motor.