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Mazda RX-7 FD: The Third and Final Generation, 1991–2002

Introduced in 1991 and ending in 2002, the Mazda RX-7 FD paired a sequential twin-turbo 13B rotary with a light, balanced chassis. Here’s its story and final Spirit R lineup.
Entry573 Date Time3 min MechanicCarCody Team
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The Mazda RX-7 FD was the third and final generation of the RX-7. Mazda introduced it in 1991 and says RX-7 production ended in 2002. Its defining formula was a compact two-rotor rotary engine, sequential twin turbochargers, and a light, carefully balanced sports-car chassis. Mazda’s sources establish that timeline, but do not verify that the RX-7 was the longest-running rotary-powered sports car.

When did the Mazda RX-7 FD come out, and when did production end?

Mazda dates the FD’s introduction to 1991. In its later historical account, the company says RX-7 production ended in 2002. Those dates describe the generation’s launch and the end of RX-7 production, respectively—not a claim that every market received the car at the same time.

Mazda’s March 25, 2002 announcement of the final Spirit R series said it envisioned FD-3S production ending in August of that year. That was the company’s anticipated end date in the announcement; Mazda’s later retrospective records 2002 as the year production ended. Mazda’s 1990–1999 history and its RX-7 retrospective provide the broader timeline.

What engine does the FD RX-7 have?

The FD uses a two-rotor 13B rotary engine with sequential twin turbochargers. Mazda’s technical material identifies the engine as the 13B-REW and lists its displacement as 654 cc × 2. “Twin turbo” means two turbochargers; Mazda describes their operation as sequential rather than simply treating them as a pair that always work identically.

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Power figures vary by specification and should not be collapsed into a single number for every FD. Mazda’s technical material lists 255 PS for the launch specification and says maximum output was later boosted to 280 PS. It notes updates in 1996 and 1998, but those figures alone do not provide a complete market-by-market or trim-by-trim power chart. Mazda’s 2007 rotary-engine technical material is the source for the engine designation, displacement and stated output figures.

What makes the FD RX-7 different?

A compact sports-car brief

Mazda describes the development aim as “the best rotary engine pure sports car.” Its retrospective says the team reduced the car’s dimensions relative to its predecessor, raised power and removed over 100 kilograms through a weight-reduction effort. That weight figure is Mazda’s account of the development programme, not an independently measured comparison of every version.

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Front-midship layout and balanced chassis

Mazda says the FD placed its engine in a traditional front-midship layout and achieved 50:50 weight distribution. The chassis used aluminum double-wishbone suspension at all four wheels. Together, those choices show how the FD’s identity extended beyond its rotary engine: Mazda paired a compact powertrain with a balance- and handling-focused platform. These specifications are manufacturer descriptions in Mazda’s corporate history.

Mazda also reports that the generation received RJC New Car of the Year recognition. That is a period accolade cited by the manufacturer, rather than a measure of how every market or later buyer evaluated the car.

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What was the final RX-7 FD edition?

Mazda announced Spirit R on March 25, 2002, as the RX-7’s final limited-production series. The announcement said it would go on sale in Japan on April 22 and described three configurations:

Spirit R type Seating Transmission
Type A Two seats Five-speed manual
Type B Four seats Five-speed manual
Type C Four seats Four-speed automatic

These descriptions and the Japan sale date come from Mazda’s Spirit R announcement. The release frames Spirit R as a closing series, with the FD-3S production end then envisioned for August 2002.

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How should the RX-7’s racing record be understood?

Mazda credits the RX-7 with 100 victories in North American IMSA competition across the model’s history. The company does not assign that total to the FD generation alone, so it should not be presented as an FD-only win record. Mazda’s account places the achievement in the longer RX-7 story rather than isolating a single generation.

Was the RX-7 the longest-running rotary-powered sports car?

The FD’s 1991–2002 production span is documented by Mazda, as is the RX-7’s place in the company’s rotary sports-car history. The available Mazda material does not compare the RX-7 or FD with every other rotary-powered sports car, so it does not establish the “longest-running” superlative as a verified record.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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