Performance Review: Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda RX7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Mazda RX7 has a 2616cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders in a R formation.

Alternative Petrol R2's includes the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ

The RX7 shares its Petrol R2 engine configuration with the likes of the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ and the 1993 Mazda RX7 FD Turbo. 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 1260 kgs (2777 lbs) this makes the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst 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 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2616cc 0V R2 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo R2 throws out 232 lb-ft (314.5 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 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 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 2019 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (243.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda RX7.

The Mazda RX7 has a Power to weight ratio of 219.0 bhp per ton and 184.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 RX7 competing with the 2019 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (243.9 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Porsche Cayman GTS PDK 3.4L (243.6 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 184.1 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 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (209.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RX7 and the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto

When talking about the performance of the Mazda RX7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.59 secs @ 100.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (13.53 secs), the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is (13.53 secs), and the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (13.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 RX7 equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

2002 RX7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison