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The 1986 model line was introduced in 1985, and with it, introduced a whole
new look to the RX-7. The new RX-7 was a bit larger and heavier, but to
compensate for the added weight the new RX-7 offered the previous high line
13B as the standard engine offering, as well as some other previous upgrades
items, such as four wheel disc brakes. Also, in addition to the 13B
becoming the standard engine, the engine itself was changed a bit, being
topped with an electronic fuel injection system, over the previous
carburetion system. This introductory engine built 145 horsepower, and for
those who wanted a bit more kick out of this new larger RX-7, the first of
the RX-7 turbo engines was introduced. This turbo engine built 180
horsepower, and had been previously available in other world markets, as had
the previous model of a similar turbo engine, so this engine, when
introduced to the American market was called the Turbo II. The lines of
this car were widened and smoothed a bit, and while it sat a bit higher, the
transition from the hood to the windshield line was leveled a bit, and on
that new hood, it had a new hood scoop. The back end was squared compared
to the prior with squared tail lights, and later in the 2nd generation, dual
round lights on each side, with the tail light change being part of the late
1988 refresh of the existing look.
Also a part of that slight restyling of
the late 1988 year was the addition of body colored side moldings and a
minor facelift to the front fascia. A larger, more prominent rear wing was
added as an option of the aero package, and that wing came standard on the
Turbo model. Even with the changes, the difference between the pre and post
refresh of the 2nd generation RX-7 is most easily noticed by the tail
lights. Another part of the refresh of 1988 that could not be seen, but
more so felt, was the addition of more ponies under the hood. The 13B
naturally aspirated model received a bump up to 160 horsepower, and the
Turbo model jumped to 200 horsepower. With the new body style and the new
engine offerings aside, even someone who paid no mind to the look of either
RX-7 could notice the most obvious addition to the 2nd generation lineup;
the RX-7 convertible. This soft top model was never offered in a turbo
option due to the extreme gain in weight for the convertible features. The
ragtop was just one of the six available model lines of the RX-7 during its
2nd generation of existence. The other five models were the SE, GTU, GXL,
Turbo II, and GTUs. The SE, was considered to the base model of the 2nd
generation RX-7 until 1988, and came with the 13B standard engine, fourteen
inch alloy wheels, and cloth seats. The GTU was a lighter, sportier model.
It came with the close ratio transmission of the Turbo II model, an
aluminum hood, and a redesigned four piston braking system. With the
refresh of the RX-7 in 1988, this became the base model. And the GTUs took
its place as the sporty lightweight model. It received the cosmetic
upgrades of the 1989 model year refresh, as well as the previous options of
the GTU. The Turbo II was the fastest, and best overall performing of the
2nd generation RX-7. Along with the high horsepower turbocharged engine, it
also came equipped with a lightweight slotted hood, sixteen inch alloy
wheels, performance brakes, power locks and windows, and vehicle sensitive
steering. The GXL was considered to be the RX-7 Luxury model, and came
equipped with 15" alloy wheels, Auto Adjust suspension, rear wiper, power
windows, and power locks. But with the constant influx of high performance
cars both from within the United States and abroad into the American auto
market, the RX-7 became not as impressive in the performance department, so
the Mazda engineers were back to the drawing board to recreate the pure
sports car that had been planned for the X020A. A car that focused on
little more than pure performance, both in a straight line, and through the
corners, from a dead stand, and at high speeds. The result the third
generation of the RX-7.
