2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst Review and Performance Comparison

Mazda RX7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst is a powered by a Petrol R 2. This variant of the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 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 driven by the Mazda Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol R 2's include the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ

The RX7 shares its Petrol R 2 engine configuration with the likes of the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ and the 1993 Mazda RX7 FD Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the RX7's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1260 kgs (2777 lbs) places the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst in a similar weight category as the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RZ High Performance Automatic and the excellent 2024 Toyota Yaris GR, give or take 50kg.

The Mazda RX7 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 2616cc 0 valve, R 2 engine produces around 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6500 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (300 bhp).

The Turbo R 2 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 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2002 Mazda RX7 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its 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. Bhp per ton figures of the 2002 RX7 Type-R Bathurst means you're competing with the 2019 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (243.9 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (243.6 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst generates around 184.1 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (209.0 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.70 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst include the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (4.70 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (4.70 secs).

The R 2 engine of the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte Modena (4.80 secs) and the 2022 Maybach S 580 4MATIC (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst and the Jaguar S Type 4.2 V8 R Auto

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2002 Mazda RX7 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.53 secs with a trap speed around 100.6 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Jaguar S Type 4.2 V8 R Auto (13.55 seconds @ 100.5 mph) and a close race between the Ford Mustang GT 6.4 V8 2+2 Fastback (13.55 seconds @ 100.5 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2002 version of the Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 RX7 equals the Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst then there's the slightly slower the Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph) or how about the impressive Mercedes 600 SEL V140 (159 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2002 RX7 Rivals List.
• 2002 RX7: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Mazda
• Compare the 2002 Mazda RX7