Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition)

The second-generation RX-7, known to everyone as the ‘FC,’ is a compact sports car powered by a remarkably light front-mid-mounted rotary engine. It achieves an ideal 50:50 front/rear weight balance. If you want, it will spin a large turbo effortlessly, and the exhaust flow makes 400 or 500 PS seem easy. Its body is now compact enough to fit within Japan's five-number vehicle class. The way it rushes to the redline is unlike a reciprocating-piston engine and sends a shiver through your head!

Rotary power plus four-wheel steering aimed to beat Porsche! The second-generation RX-7 (FC3S) debuted in 1985. It initially came with a 13B rotary engine and turbo producing 185 PS, and adopted four-wheel steering with rear-wheel toe control. It was born as a pure sports car seriously intended to take on the Porsche 944. In 1986, the limited-run Anfini was added; in 1987, a convertible joined the lineup. A facelift arrived in 1989, creating what are called the later models; power rose to 205 PS and substantial weight reduction was carried out. The spartan Anfini edition was especially popular and appeared in four versions. In 1991, it was fully replaced by the third-generation RX-7 (FD3S).