The FD Mazda RX-7 Was A Beautiful, Magnificent Failure

CORRECTION: I stated that Yoichi Sato worked on the Familia in 1978 and Capella in 1980. I got my years mixed up here. Sorry about that. Only Mazda could have made the FD RX-7. The automaker spent five years in its mission to create its most exhilarating road car yet. Its seductive exterior design was the result of a multi-month-spanning international styling competition. And under the hood was the 13B-REW, a development of Mazda’s rotary engine featuring technology then only seen on hypercars costing magnitudes more. The FD reached showroosm during one of the most fierce and ruthless automotive scenes in recent memory. Challengers at home and abroad released their own canyon carving sports coupes. Not only did the Mazda hold its ground, it rose above its contemporaries and became the darling of the motoring press. And yet, it wasn’t enough. The FD RX-7 made its world debut at the 29th Tokyo Motor Show on October 25, 1991. Over 2 million attendees came to the event. Savanna branding would not be found anywhere on the car. It also wasn’t badged as a Mazda. Instead, the company sold the new model as an Enfini. This was but one part of the automaker’s aggressive expansion plan. Enfini marketed sporty vehicles, Eunos sold upscale models, and Autozam specialized in small cars. Mazda also planned to introduce Amati, a flagship luxury brand intended to compete with the likes of Lexus and Infiniti. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 PROLOGUE 0:50 INTRO 1:38 PASSING OF THE TORCH 5:21 FD RX-7 CONCEPTION 8:30 DESIGN PROCESS 23:38 ENGINEERING WORK 31:11 DEBUT AND EARLY RECEPTION 43:42 TOUGH GOINGS 52:08 LATER YEARS