Performance Review: Mazda RX7 RZ - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda RX7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda RX7 RZ is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Mazda RX7 has a 2616cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders in a R formation.

Alternative Petrol R2's includes the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst

The RX7 shares its Petrol R2 engine configuration with the likes of the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst 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 1270 kgs (2799 lbs) this makes the Mazda RX7 RZ in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 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 2017 Maserati GranTurismo MC 4.7 V8 (242.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda RX7.

The Mazda RX7 has a Power to weight ratio of 217.3 bhp per ton and 182.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 RX7 competing with the 2017 Maserati GranTurismo MC 4.7 V8 (242.3 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Bentley Continental GTC Speed (242.2 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 182.6 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 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (207.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 V8 R/T (207.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Mazda RX7 RZ as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Mazda RX7 RZ is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RX7 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed

When talking about the performance of the Mazda RX7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.63 secs @ 100.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed (13.57 secs), the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (13.59 secs), and the 2014 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 S-Tronic (13.59 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Mazda RX7 RZ has a maximum speed of 162mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 RX7 equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph), the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (173 mph), or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (173 mph).

Related Links:

1998 RX7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison