Performance Review: Mazda RX7 Turbo - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda RX7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda RX7 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Mazda RX7 has a 1308cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 0 cylinders in a R formation.

Alternative Petrol R0's includes the 2008 Mazda RX8 R3 231ps

The RX7 shares its Petrol R0 engine configuration with the likes of the 2008 Mazda RX8 R3 231ps and the 2003 Mazda RX8 1.3. 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 1310 kgs (2888 lbs) this makes the Mazda RX7 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda RX7 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1308cc 0V R0 engine produces 236 bhp (175 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Turbo R0 throws out 217 lb-ft (294.2 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda RX7.

The Mazda RX7 has a Power to weight ratio of 180.1 bhp per ton and 165.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 RX7 competing with the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.6 Turbo (205.1 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 165.6 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 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 (190.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (190.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Mazda RX7 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs). This Mazda RX7 Turbo is also faster than the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RX7 and the 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3

When talking about the performance of the Mazda RX7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.5 secs @ 94.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 (14.43 secs), the 2012 Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo (14.43 secs), and the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 (14.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Mazda RX7 Turbo has a maximum speed of 156mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 RX7 equals the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo then how about the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph), the 2001 TVR Chimaera 500 5.0L V8 (167 mph), or the 1993 TVR Griffith 500 (167 mph).

Related Links:

1992 RX7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison