Mazda Cosmo – The Rotary-Powered Grand Tourer The futuristic Mazda Cosmo debuted in 1967, launching Mazda into the performance car realm and debuting the brand’s signature rotary engine technology. Its sleek, European-inspired styling cloaked two-seat grand touring capabilities powered by an innovative new motor. As Mazda’s image flagship, Cosmo pioneered major technologies that would shape…
1995 Mazda RX7 – The Final Chapter of an Iconic Sports Car When Mazda rolled the final third-generation RX-7 off production lines for the 1995 model year, it marked a somber milestone concluding 23 years of chasing lightweight sports car nirvana through the bespoke rotary powertrain. Outfitted to impressive specification befitting the brand’s halo, Mazda…
80s Japanese Cars – Pushing Technology Limits & Shattering Stereotypes As the 1980s rolled around, Japanese automakers set sights on claiming performance prestige after establishing mass-market dominance. Revolutionary sports cars and sedans elevated the likes of Honda, Toyota, and Nissan onto the world stage. Japanese R&D departments channeled Formula 1 inspiration coupled with pioneering refinements…
1995 Mazda RX-7 FD3S – The Ultimate Rotary Powered Sports Car After two generations cementing the lightweight Mazda RX-7’s legacy melding fascinating looks to the high-revving rotary engine’s peaky power delivery, the advanced third generation debuted in 1993 (chassis code FD3S) blowing past familiar expectations. But substantial year-over-year improvements saw the RX-7 apex by 1995…
Japanese Coupe Excellence History Japan’s proud automotive legacy intertwines deeply with the golden age of compact, innovative, and fun-to-drive 2+2 sports coupes from the late 1970s until today. While American counterparts chased cubic inches as muscle car wars raged, Japanese auto manufacturers focused engineering resources around lighter curb weights, nimble chassis dynamics, and higher technology…
Mazda RX-8: Celebrating the Last Rotary Powered JDM Sports Car When it ended production in 2012, the Mazda RX-8 marked both the finale of the company’s core Wankel rotary engine development spanning over four decades as well as the last high-performance sports car exclusive to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and global enthusiasts. Let’s revisit…
Fastest Japanese Cars Ever Produced – While Japanese auto manufacturers no longer chase top-speed crowns like during the 1990s horsepower wars, several historic production models from the major Japanese automakers have delivered face-melting, license-losing velocity complementing their precise handling. Below we highlight the fastest and often most powerful cars from key heavy hitters Toyota, Honda,…
RX7 Rally car with its unique rotary engine and rear-wheel drive layout, the Mazda RX-7 sports car seems an unlikely choice for the demands of professional rally racing. But in national and international events throughout the 1980s and 1990s, specially prepped RX-7s became giant slayers besting more powerful rivals. Through extensive modifications and smart driving, Mazda…