Young Version — August 1999

World-leading sports cars such as Porsche and Ferrari do not undergo a full model change every four or five years like Japanese cars. Instead, they are refined a little each year to steadily improve driving performance. What about Japan’s celebrated rotary sports car, the RX-7? More than seven years have passed since the FD3S debuted. A typical Japanese car would have had a full redesign by now… [continues].

The top-spec model: 5-speed manual, ¥3.778 million .

The Type RS tested is equipped with Bilstein dampers… [sentence fragment]

The steering and pedals—and even the position of the shift knob when seated—are naturally placed, as expected.

Yokohama 300… [caption fragment]

…the current FD3S… [sentence continues]

It offers excellent handling. The compact rotary engine is mounted low, and the car boasts an ideal 50:50 front/rear weight distribution.

“That’s how it should be!” The idea that the Seven is peaky used to stay in my mind, but over seven years it has evolved… [sentence fragment].

RB[4AT

Type RB

Type RS

138-REW

2-door coupe

Mazda GF-FD3S

4285×1760×1230

1415×1425×1025

Body type

Interior length × width × height

Model / type

Engine

Overall length × width × height

Drivetrain

1460/1480

Wheelbase

Minimum ground clearance

Seating capacity

Minimum turning radius

Front/rear track

Vehicle weight

TURNING RADIUS

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Double-wishbone suspension

Rack-and-pinion / integral power steering

10–15 mode fuel consumption

Engine type / configuration

Suspension, front / rear

Shock absorbers, front / rear

60 km/h constant-speed fuel consumption

FUEL CONSUMPTION

STEERING

Standard

41.8/30.0

…613 [specification fragment]

Gas-pressurized…

Standard

…28.8 × 14.5 [dimension fragment]

47.6/36.0

…15.9 × 1.8 [dimension fragment]

46.0/46.0

Bilstein

Gas-pressurized…

Outside / inside (mm)

Construction/type

Damper

Coil spring

Stabilizer

Liquid-filled type

Pillow-ball bush

Sliding bush

Axle pillow-ball rear-arm mounting bushing

Sliding bush

Front/rear lower arm bushings

Front/rear…

Front damper top bush

Rear suspension-arm bushings, front/rear

Rear upper-arm bushing

SUSPENSION

Displacement… [specification heading fragment]

Rotary engine

225/50R1692V

225/50ZR16

Ventilated disc / hydraulic brake system

Water-filled pillow ball; pillow ball with cross…

235/45ZR17

255/40ZR17

Master cylinder (front/rear) / brake booster

Rear trailing-link bushing

Rear lower-arm bushing

Front tires

Rear tires

BRAKES

TIRES & WHEELS

This formula has disappeared from my mind. At this level of refinement, there is one concern: inexperienced tuning could upset the balance. Choose a reliable shop with know-how. That is my message to Young Version readers. .

255/6500

265/8500

18×8JJ/18×8J

854×2

13B-REW engine

280/6500

Water-cooled, twin-rotor engine with air-to-air intercooler and sequential twin-turbo system

17×8J/17×8

PS/rpm

Model code

Engine displacement

Compression ratio

Maximum net output

Wheels, front / rear

ENGINE

30.0/5000

Electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission

30-07… [specification fragment]

30.0/5000

Premium gasoline; 76…

Electronic controlled fuel injection (EGI-HS)

5-speed manual transmission

Single-plate diaphragm type

32.0/5000

kg-m/rpm

First gear

Maximum torque

Fuel-supply system

Transmission

Clutch type

Gear ratios

Fuel type and tank capacity

Second gear

Third gear

Fourth gear

Fifth gear

Reverse

DRIVE TRAIN

Final drive ratio

Measured with the engine…

Engine output can vary; it is measured at the engine and actual output at the wheels depends on vehicle condition and specifications. .

Even if the limiter is removed, the car’s characteristics remain; output may decrease slightly… .

Vehicle dimensions / weight / new-vehicle price…

Included items: jack (for emergency use), tools… [fragment]

Fuel-consumption figures are based on prescribed test conditions; actual results vary with weather, traffic, vehicle condition, and other factors. .

(Shinichi Katsura)

Specifications and equipment may change without notice.

The catalog photos may differ in appearance from the actual vehicle; interior colors may also look different. Please confirm details… .

(Type RS)

Dimensions

Turbocharger… [fragment]

…through revisions and other measures… [fragment]

Its power-to-weight ratio… [sentence fragment]

The RS has a 4.57 kg/PS power-to-weight ratio…

280 PS is achieved. Power… [sentence fragment]

Be sure to check out the tuned cars, too!!

RE Amemiya

Pro Staff R Magic

KSP Engineering

RE Amemiya GReddy 8 Open

This FD stands out with a sharp, punchy look… [sentence fragment]

The FD’s fixed round quad headlights give it presence, and beneath the skin… [sentence fragment]

Front and rear spoilers… [fragment]

“Attain”

Original radiator

For the engine, based on RE Amemiya rebuilt parts, a T…

And… [continuation fragment]

Equipped with a D06 turbocharger, producing a maximum of 380 PS

Two GT2835 turbochargers, side-port modifications, and more… [fragment]

…! [fragment]

With special modified rotors and other parts, it produces an astonishing 580 PS!!

Intake duct and light covers… [sentence fragment]

…ler / [fragment; possibly “turbocharger,” not certain]

…FCS. This shop is also skilled at engine tuning…

…parts complete the unforgettable styling. [fragment]

…are fitted. The roof has been chopped, and the aero is original… [fragment]

On the exterior, aero fenders and side steps… [sentence fragment]

The design is simply beautiful.

The SP uses Bridgeport porting and low-compression rotors as its basis… [sentence fragment]

Fitted with a T51R turbine, it produces 550 PS.

Young Version — August 1999

About this issue

Page 207 — English draft translation