D Car — July 2004

The RX-7’s flowing design is original to a rotary-powered car. At 4,295 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,230 mm tall, it has a broad, low profile. The windshield curves in three dimensions from the front fenders, blending into the distinctive roof known as the Aero Wave Roof and flowing continuously into the rear deck. This uninterrupted surface gives the car a shape unlike any other. The front end combines a large central intake with smaller air inlets for the oil cooler, while the one-piece soft bumper gives it a sharp look. At the rear, smoked-lens taillights are blacked out, and the rear fenders and deck flow together as one design, creating a distinctive impression. The extremely low hood is another hallmark made possible by the compact rotary engine.

Yellow was offered at first, while white was added later. The debut colors were red, silver, black, blue and yellow. Red was the signature color, and the sporty yellow also drew interest, but it sold poorly and was later replaced by white. On the used-car market, white is the most common; black, silver and blue appear in similar numbers. Yellow is rare and commands a higher price.

Lesson 2

Sport Compact Academy

Buying

Model-specific

Let’s build a sport compact. Check the basics first.

Sport Compact Academy

Lesson 2

The rear spoiler grew larger with each model update, and it has its own evolution through the FD’s history. The wing on the final model shown here is adjustable, so its spoiler effect can be tuned to suit the driving situation.

Late model: Type RS

Models from December 1998 onward are the final FD generation. The engine’s eventual 280 ps output attracts attention, but the chassis was also revised, including three suspension setups: standard, hard and Bilstein. A sharper front fascia and larger wing also gave the car a sportier appearance.

The compact rotary engine made a front-midship, rear-wheel-drive layout possible. Front-to-rear weight distribution is an ideal 50:50 for a sports car. Its short nose and short overhangs give it a classic sports-car silhouette.

Styling

Early model: Type R

A wide, low profile made possible by the rotary engine

Compared with the earlier FC, the FD body was made substantially lighter and wider. Its flowing, muscular silhouette continued through the final model. Early cars wore a small, understated front lip spoiler. The rear lamps changed to a set of three round lights during the 1996 facelift, when output rose to 265 ps.

Anfini RX-7

The fender and rear-deck design flow together as one, creating another distinctive feature. The very low hood is characteristic of a car with a compact rotary engine.

Body colors

Anfini RX-7

D Car — July 2004

About this issue

Page 101 — English draft translation