Key Takeaways
- Japanese launch was December 1991 and production ended in August 2002; the Savanna name was dropped at launch and Anfini RX-7 became Mazda RX-7 in October 1997.
- 255 PS at launch, 265 PS from January 1996, then 280 PS on Type R and RS from January 1999 (RB: 265 or 255).
- Spirit R (April 2002) came as Type A (two seats, manual), Type B (four seats, manual) and Type C (four seats, automatic).
- RS-R, RZ, Bathurst R and Spirit R counts are Mazda's announced limits, not audited build totals.
- Before anything else, get a rotary-specialist compression test and check the cooling system and turbo controls.
- Mazda lists reproduced FC/FD parts, sold through its dealers; confirm each part before relying on supply.
Background
Grades and name
Mazda launched the FD3S in December 1991 in S, X and R grades; the Type R used a 4.100 final drive against 3.909 on S and X. In August 1993 it added the two-seat Type R-II, renamed S and X as the automatic-only Touring S and X, and offered 17-inch low-profile radials, standard on the limited-sale Type RZ. The badge read Anfini RX-7 until October 1997, when it became the Mazda RX-7.
The range introduced on 21 January 1999 comprised Type RS, R and RB, with an S Package for the RB manual.
Special editions
Type RS-R (October 1997) marked 30 years of rotary engines and was limited to 500. The Type RZ of October 2000 was limited to 175 two-seaters with Recaro seats, BBS wheels and Bilstein dampers. The Type R Bathurst R of August 2001 was limited to 500 for all of Japan, and the Type R Bathurst followed in December as a separate release with no unit limit stated.
The Bathurst names commemorate the RX-7's 1992 to 1994 wins at the Bathurst 12 Hour. Spirit R was announced on 25 March 2002 and went on sale on 22 April in Types A, B and C, with a planned 1,500 cars.
Engine and ratings
Sequential twin turbochargers raised the launch output to 255 PS, 50 PS more than before. Mazda gave 265 PS as the headline rating from January 1996. The January 1999 release rated Type R and RS at 280 PS and 32.0 kgf·m, Type RB at 265 PS with the manual and 255 PS with the automatic, and raised boost pressure to about 1.2 times the earlier figure.
Mazda's tables give net PS. Mazda's European reference for the FD is 239 PS, so export ratings should not be mixed with Japanese ones.
Chassis and weight
Mazda describes the FD's layout as front-mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. It aimed for a 50:50 front-to-rear weight split and a power-to-weight ratio below 5.0 kg/PS, and reports achieving 4.9 kg/PS. The weight-reduction programme was called Zero Operation. The four-wheel double-wishbone suspension is all aluminium.
In October 2000 Mazda changed the four-wheel ABS control unit from 8-bit to 16-bit and added EBD. It also added lower side-impact bars alongside the existing bars and a clutch interlock to manual cars. Mazda lists reproduced FC and FD parts through its dealers; supply varies by part. The Mazda RX-7 family covers the other generations.
Technical Specifications
Japanese-market ratings from Mazda's releases: power in PS (net), torque in kgf·m. The January 1999 release gives the full matrix; earlier rows are headline ratings only.
Engine Options
-
FD3S
13B- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 255 PS
Launch range, December 1991; Japan
-
FD3S
13B- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 265 PS
January 1996 revision; headline rating, full matrix incomplete
-
FD3S
13B-REW- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 280 PS @ 6,500 rpm
- Torque
- 32.0 kgf·m @ 5,000 rpm
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
Type R and Type RS, January 1999; Japan
-
FD3S
13B-REW- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 265 PS @ 6,500 rpm
- Torque
- 30.0 kgf·m @ 5,000 rpm
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
Type RB manual, January 1999; Japan
-
FD3S
13B-REW- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 255 PS @ 6,500 rpm
- Torque
- 30.0 kgf·m @ 5,000 rpm
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic
Type RB automatic, January 1999; Japan
-
FD3S
13B-REW- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 280 PS (206 kW)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
Spirit R Type A (two seats) and Type B (four seats), 2002; Japan
-
FD3S
13B-REW- Displacement
- 654 cc × 2
- Aspiration
- Sequential twin turbo
- Power
- 255 PS (188 kW)
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic
Spirit R Type C (four seats), 2002; Japan
Transmission Options
| Type | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5-speed manual | Every January 1999 grade; Spirit R Type A and B | Launch Type R final drive 4.100; launch S and X 3.909 |
| 4-speed automatic | Touring S and X (from August 1993); Type RB (1999); Spirit R Type C | 1999 Type RB and Spirit R Type C are rated 255 PS |
NHTSA's safety exemption starts 25 years from each car's manufacture date under 49 CFR 591.5(i). EPA's separate age provision requires the original engine configuration or an eligible EPA-certified replacement engine and emissions system. State registration rules vary. Canada counts its 15-year federal age exemption by manufacture month and year. Check the car's documents before shipping. Calculate import costs →
Sources: 49 CFR 591.5 (eCFR) ; EPA: learn about importing vehicles and engines ; EPA: importing vehicles and engines guidance (NEPIS) ; CBSA Memorandum D9-1-11
Variants & Trims
Japanese list prices exclude tax. Limited-edition figures are announced allocations.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1991 | Type S, Type X, Type R | 13B, 255 PS | Launch grades. Type R uses a 4.100 final drive and stiffer suspension; S and X use 3.909. |
| August 1993 | Type R-II (R-2) | 13B | Two-seat, cheaper version of Type R. |
| August 1993 | Touring S, Touring X | 13B | Renamed S and X; automatic only. |
| August 1993 | Type RZ (limited) | 13B | Limited sale with the new 17-inch low-profile sport radials as standard. |
| October 1997 | Type RS-R (limited 500) | 13B | Type RS manual base with RZ dampers and tyres; Sunburst Yellow or Brilliant Black; 30th-anniversary rotary edition; ¥3,625,000. |
| January 1999 | Type RS | 13B-REW, 280 PS | 5-speed manual; Bilstein dampers; adjustable rear wing; ¥3,778,000. |
| January 1999 | Type R | 13B-REW, 280 PS | 5-speed manual; harder-setting dampers; adjustable rear wing; ¥3,470,000. |
| January 1999 | Type RB (5MT) | 13B-REW, 265 PS | Standard dampers; ¥2,898,000. |
| January 1999 | Type RB (4AT) | 13B-REW, 255 PS | Standard dampers; ¥2,998,000. |
| January 1999 | Type RB S Package | 13B-REW, 265 PS | RB manual with Type R-equivalent wing and fog lamps; ¥3,128,000. |
| October 2000 | Type RZ (limited 175) | 13B-REW, 280 PS | Two seats; red Recaro buckets, gunmetal BBS wheels, Bilstein dampers; about 10 kg lighter than RS; Snow White Pearl Mica; ¥3,998,000. |
| August 2001 | Type R Bathurst R (limited 500) | 13B-REW, 280 PS | Type R base; dealer-adjustable ride-height dampers; carbon-tone Mazdaspeed trim; Sunburst Yellow, Pure White or Innocent Blue Mica; ¥3,398,000. |
| December 2001 | Type R Bathurst | 13B-REW, 280 PS | Separate release: ride-height-adjustable dampers and fog lamps; no unit limit stated; ¥3,398,000. |
| April 2002 | Spirit R Type A | 13B-REW, 280 PS | Two seats, 5-speed manual; red Recaro buckets, gunmetal BBS wheels, drilled discs, Bilstein dampers; ¥3,998,000. |
| April 2002 | Spirit R Type B | 13B-REW, 280 PS | Four seats, 5-speed manual; red leather buckets, silver BBS wheels, drilled discs, Bilstein dampers; ¥3,998,000. |
| April 2002 | Spirit R Type C | 13B-REW, 255 PS | Four seats, 4-speed automatic; red leather buckets, silver BBS wheels; ¥3,398,000. |
Should You Buy a Mazda RX-7 FD3S?
Why You'll Love It
- Weight and balance targets Mazda aimed for a 50:50 weight split and under 5.0 kg/PS, and reports 4.9 kg/PS for the launch car.
- Double wishbones at all four corners Mazda's history describes all-aluminium double-wishbone suspension to cut unsprung weight.
- Reliable when maintained PistonHeads says the 13B-REW is not unreliable with an attentive owner and can pass 100,000 miles.
- Parts and specialists Mazda has reproduced about 90 FC/FD parts, and PistonHeads notes a small network of RX-7 specialists.
Why You Might Not
- Needs rotary-specific care PistonHeads says it needs more care and maintenance than most performance engines, and reliability suffers with neglect.
- Ageing turbo controls Heat can kill the turbo solenoids and perish the rubber pipes, making the turbos come in erratically.
- Cooling-system weak point The air-separator tank can split and leak coolant.
- Flooding Very short engine runs can flood the engine and leave it hard to start.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone unwilling to pay for a specialist rotary compression test before buying.
- Owners who cannot keep up regular rotary maintenance; PistonHeads ties poor reliability to neglect.
- Buyers who want an automatic with 280 PS: the Japanese 1999 automatic was rated 255 PS.
Common Issues & Solutions
UK inspection advice from a PistonHeads buying guide, not a Japanese failure rate. Repair costs are not priced here.
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Air-separator tank leak | The tank can split and let coolant leak. | Inspect the tank and the whole cooling system before judging engine health. PistonHeads recommends an upgraded tank and radiator for track use. |
| Erratic sequential-turbo changeover | Under-bonnet heat can fail the turbo solenoids and perish the rubber pipes. | Diagnose the controls before assuming turbo replacement; budget for new pipes. |
| Flooding after short runs | Starting and stopping the engine for very short periods, such as moving a car around a forecourt. | Do not keep cranking; remove the spark plugs, dry them and let the fuel evaporate. |
| Fourth-to-fifth shift | PistonHeads calls a poor shift between fourth and fifth quite common in an otherwise tough gearbox. | Test it on the road; many owners shift more slowly and live with it. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
Mazda quotes 239 PS for the European FD. Japanese ratings are 255, 265 or 280 PS depending on date and grade, so they should not be substituted for export ratings. Anfini RX-7 and Ɛ̃fini RX-7 are two spellings of the same Japanese badge.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
FD3S Mazda RX-7 (Japan) (1991–2002)
- On sale from December 1991; Mazda announced production would end in August 2002.
- Sold as the Anfini RX-7 until October 1997, then as the Mazda RX-7.
- Mazda's weight programme was called Zero Operation.
Launch (December 1991)
- Three grades: S, X and R; 255 PS from sequential twin turbochargers.
- Four-wheel double-wishbone suspension in aluminium; Mazda reports 4.9 kg/PS.
First revision (August 1993)
- Added the two-seat Type R-II; S and X became automatic-only Touring S and X.
- 17-inch low-profile radials offered, and limited-sale Type RZ.
'95 model (March 1995)
- Mazda lists an Anfini RX-7 '95 model.
Facelift (January 1996)
- Headline output rose to 265 PS; rear lamps became three round units.
Name change and RS-R (October 1997)
- Anfini RX-7 became Mazda RX-7; Anfini badges were replaced.
- Type RS-R: 500-car limited edition marking 30 years of rotary engines.
New RX-7 (January 1999)
- Announced 15 December 1998; on sale 21 January 1999.
- Type RS and R reached 280 PS; Type RB kept 265 PS (manual) or 255 PS (automatic).
- Turbo boost pressure raised to about 1.2 times the earlier figure.
- Larger intake openings and a separate air-cleaner duct; passenger airbag standard on every grade.
Type RZ and improvements (October 2000)
- Four-wheel ABS gained EBD, and its control unit went from 8-bit to 16-bit.
- Damper changes on RB and RS, additional lower side-impact bars, and a clutch interlock on manuals.
- Type RZ limited to 175 cars.
Bathurst editions (2001)
- Type R Bathurst R (August) was limited to 500.
- Type R Bathurst followed in December as a separate release.
- The name marks RX-7 wins at the Bathurst 12 Hour from 1992 to 1994.
Spirit R and end of production (2002)
- Spirit R Types A, B and C announced 25 March and on sale 22 April.
- Spirit R and Type R Bathurst formed the final range; Mazda announced production would end in August.
Market Data
Japanese list prices exclude tax. Limited-edition figures are announced allocations.
Reported Counts & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Reported Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FD3S, all markets | FD generation | 68,589 | Mazda UK figure; global, not Japan only |
| Type RS-R | 1997 | 500 (announced limit) | Mazda's stated limited-sale allocation |
| Type RZ | 2000 | 175 (announced limit) | Announced limit, not an audited build total |
| Type R Bathurst R | 2001 | 500 (announced limit) | Announced limit for all of Japan |
| Spirit R, Types A, B and C | 2002 | 1,500 (planned) | Planned across all three types; no audited split found |
Motorsport Heritage
| Series | Years | Result | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathurst 12 Hour (Australia) | 1992–1994 | RX-7 won three consecutive years, per Mazda; the Bathurst edition names commemorate it | RX-7 (model generation not stated by Mazda) |
| Super GT, GT300 class | 2006 | Drivers' and teams' champion: No. 7 Amemiya AsparaDrink RX-7 (Tetsuya Yamano and Hiroyuki Iiri) | RE Amemiya RX-7 competition car |
Sources: Mazda release, 30 August 2001, Super GT 2006 round 9 report
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
Start with the grade and build date, then match the car's papers to the dated tables. In the January 1999 range, Type R and RS were rated at 280 PS; Type RB was 265 PS with a manual or 255 PS with an automatic. Spirit R Types A and B were 280 PS and Type C was 255 PS.
Then spend money on inspection. Ask a rotary specialist for a compression test, which PistonHeads says tells you whether an engine rebuild is imminent. Inspect the air-separator tank and cooling system, the turbo solenoids and rubber pipes, and ask whether the engine has been flooded by short runs.
For limited editions, treat Mazda's numbers as announced allocations. Parts are worth checking early: Mazda lists reproduced FC and FD parts through its group dealers, but supply varies by part. The Mazda RX-7 family covers the other generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much power does an FD3S have?
- It depends on the Japanese grade and date. Mazda rated the launch car at 255 PS and raised the headline figure to 265 PS in January 1996. From January 1999 Type R and RS made 280 PS, Type RB 265 PS (manual) or 255 PS (automatic). Spirit R Types A and B were 280 PS; Type C was 255 PS.
- What is the difference between Type RB, R and RS?
- In the January 1999 range, Type RS and R made 280 PS and had an adjustable rear wing. RS used Bilstein dampers, R harder-setting dampers and RB standard dampers. RB was 265 PS with a manual or 255 PS with the automatic, with an optional S Package adding R-style equipment.
- How do Spirit R Type A, B and C differ?
- Type A is a two-seater with a five-speed manual and red Recaro buckets. Type B has four seats and a manual; Type C has four seats and a four-speed automatic. B and C use red leather buckets. Only A and B get drilled discs, stainless-mesh brake hoses and Bilstein dampers; C is rated 255 PS.
- How many limited-edition cars were built?
- Mazda announced limits: 500 Type RS-R, 175 Type RZ, 500 Type R Bathurst R and a planned 1,500 Spirit R across A, B and C. These are announced allocations, not audited build totals. Mazda UK gives 68,589 for the whole FD generation, all markets.
- When did the Savanna and Anfini names change?
- Mazda dropped the Savanna name for the FD at its December 1991 launch and sold it as the Anfini RX-7. On 14 October 1997 the name became Mazda RX-7, and Anfini badges were replaced with Mazda ones.
- What should I check before buying an FD3S?
- Start with a compression test by a rotary specialist. Then check the air-separator tank and cooling system, the turbo solenoids and rubber pipes, and whether the car has been flooded by short runs. Finally confirm the grade against the papers, as equipment varies by grade.
Sources & References
Sources (21)
- Mazda history: RX-7, chapter 3 (FD/13B Rotary) — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda Newsroom: RX-7 lineage timeline — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda news release no. 1511, 14 October 1997: RX-7 Type RS-R and name change — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda news release no. 1550, 15 December 1998: RX-7 with 280 PS — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda news release no. 1622, 18 October 2000: Type RZ and improvements — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda news release, 30 August 2001: RX-7 Type R Bathurst R — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda news release no. 1672, 10 December 2001: RX-7 Type R Bathurst — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda news release no. 1684, 25 March 2002: RX-7 Spirit R — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda UK: Mazda RX-7 at 40, owners' stories — Mazda UK Verified
- Mazda UK press: 100 years of Mazda, the Mazda RX-7 — Mazda UK Verified
- Mazda Japan: Classic Mazda, FC/FD RX-7 reproduced parts — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- PistonHeads: Mazda RX-7 buying guide, powertrain — PistonHeads Verified
- Super GT 2006 round 9 race report — Super GT Verified
- Super GT news archive: RE Amemiya RX-7 — Super GT Verified
- Wikimedia Commons: Mazda E-FD3S Ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (image description) — Wikimedia Commons Verified
- Mazda Newsroom: third-generation RX-7 model page — Mazda Motor Corporation Verified
- Mazda rotary engine appendix, 2007 (mirror) — Mazda (hosted by erix7.nl) Verified
- 49 CFR 591.5 — Declarations required for importing motor vehicles and equipment (eCFR) — U.S. Government (eCFR) Verified
- EPA: learn about importing vehicles and engines — US Environmental Protection Agency Verified
- EPA: importing vehicles and engines guidance (NEPIS) — US Environmental Protection Agency Verified
- CBSA Memorandum D9-1-11 — Canada Border Services Agency Verified
Sources last verified: