Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A
The RX-7 Spirit R Type A was produced in 2002 as the ultimate version of the FD3S platform that had been in production since 1992. This was Mazda's way of saying goodbye to the rotary-powered sports car that had earned a devoted global following.
The sequential twin-turbocharged 13B-REW engine produced 280 PS (276 hp) at 6,500 rpm — the same output that Japan's voluntary power cap mandated for all FD variants. The engine used two differently-sized turbochargers operating in sequence: the smaller primary turbo spooled quickly for immediate response, while the larger secondary turbo joined above 4,500 rpm for sustained top-end thrust. The transition between turbos was managed by a complex valve system.
What made the Spirit R Type A special was its equipment specification. BBS 17-inch forged alloy wheels, Recaro SP-JJ fixed-back bucket seats with red seatbelts, suede-wrapped steering wheel, titanium shift knob, Bilstein monotube dampers, and a stainless steel front strut brace were all standard. The car was offered only as a two-seater, with the rear area serving as a carpeted cargo shelf.
The FD3S chassis remained one of the finest in any production sports car. The all-independent double-wishbone suspension used aluminum components extensively, and the car's weight distribution was a near-perfect 50.5/49.5 front-to-rear. At approximately 1,260 kg, the Spirit R was light enough that its 280-hp engine felt genuinely fast. The five-speed manual gearbox, while not as slick as the best Japanese units, was adequately precise.
The driving experience was intoxicating. The rotary engine's turbine-smooth delivery, the progressive buildup of twin-turbo boost, and the chassis's willingness to rotate on throttle created a car that demanded — and rewarded — active driving. On a mountain road, the Spirit R was in its absolute element.
With only 1,500 Spirit R models built across all three sub-variants, the car has become a collector's item. Japanese domestic market examples in original condition are increasingly valuable and sought-after worldwide.
Compression test all rotor faces. Verify all Spirit R equipment is present — BBS wheels, Recaro seats, red belts, Bilstein dampers. Check sequential turbo transition at 4,500 rpm. Rust in chassis rails on cars from northern Japan. Engine rebuild history and quality critical. Import compliance documentation essential for non-JDM markets.
Built at Mazda's Hiroshima plant in 2002 as the final RX-7 production series. Only 1,500 Spirit R models across three types. The Type A two-seater manual is the most sought-after variant. JDM-only release.