Performance Review: Mazda RX7 Turbo - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda RX7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda RX7 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Mazda RX7 has a 1308cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 0 cylinders in a R formation.

Alternative Petrol R0's includes the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo

The RX7 shares its Petrol R0 engine configuration with the likes of the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo and the 2008 Mazda RX8 R3 231ps. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the RX7's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1285 kgs (2832 lbs) this makes the Mazda RX7 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda RX7 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1308cc 0V R0 engine produces 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo R0 throws out 195 lb-ft (264.3 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mazda RX7 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (180.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda RX7.

The Mazda RX7 has a Power to weight ratio of 155.6 bhp per ton and 151.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 RX7 competing with the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (180.5 bhp per ton) or the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (180.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mazda RX7 generating around 151.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 (176.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (176.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Mazda RX7 Turbo as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs). This Mazda RX7 Turbo is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RX7 and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mazda RX7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.23 secs @ 89.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (15.16 secs), the 2013 Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 (15.16 secs), and the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (15.17 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Mazda RX7 Turbo has a maximum speed of 148mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 RX7 equals the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Mazda RX7 Turbo then how about the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph), the 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 (159 mph), or the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph).

Related Links:

1989 RX7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison