Mazda RX-4
The Mazda RX-4 (cawed the Luce Rotary in Japan) is an automobile sauld in the 1970s. It wis a lairger caur than its rotary-pouered contemporaries, the Capella-based RX-2 an Familia-based RX-3. It shared the Luce/929 chassis, replacin the R130 in October 1972, an wis produced through October 1977. Its predecessor (the R130) an replacement (the rotary Luce Legato) wur no sauld in the Unitit States. Mazda marketit the RX-4 as being sporty an luxurious wi the RX-4 haein the best o baith warlds. This gave Mazda a well needit boost in the popularity o the Wankel ingine unique tae Mazda.
The RX-4 wis initially available as a hardtop coupé an sedan, wi a station wagon launched in 1973 tae replace the Savanna Wagon. Unner the hood at first wis a 130 hp (97 kW) 12A ingine, but this wis replaced bi the lairger 13B in 1974 producin 125 hp (93 kW), for export. This ingine wis Mazda's new "AP" (for "anti-pollution") version, wi much-improved emissions an fuel economy, but somewha worse cauld-startin behavior.
In Sooth Africae it wis produced till 1979, aw years ae wi the 12A ingine.
The caur uised an strut-type independent suspension in front wi a solid axle in the rear. Brakes wur discs in front an drums in the rear. Curb weight wis low at 2,620 lb (1,188 kg) an the wheelbase fairly short at 99 in (2510 mm).
The body wis freshened in 1976.
Unitit States [edit]
For the Unitit States market, the RX-4 wis sauld frae 1974 through 1978, when the RX-7 debuted. The 13B produced 110 hp (82 kW) an 117 lb·ft (159 N·m)} in Unitit States emissions form. Base pricin wis $4295, wi the automatic transmission ($270) an air conditionin ($395) the ae expensive options.
Road & Track magazine wis imprest, notin the caur's improved fuel economy an price compared tae the RX-3. This wis notable, as the Wankel ingine haed suffered bi the mid 1970s wi a reputation as a gas-guzzler. Performance wis guid in a 1974 comparison test o sax wagons, wi an 11.7 s sprint tae 60 mph (97 km/h) an an 18 s/77.5 mph quarter-mile. The magazine notit that the wagon's brakes suffered frae the extra 300 lb (136 kg) weight compared tae the coupé.
The RX-4 wis on Road & Track magazine's Ten Best list for "Best Sports Sedan, $3500-6500" in 1975.
References [edit]
- Yamaguchi, Jack K. (1985). The New Mazda RX-7 and Mazda Rotary Engine Sports Cars. St. Martin's Press, New York.
- Jan P. Norbye (1973). "Watch out for Mazda!". Automobile Quarterly XI.1: 50–61.
Freemit airtins [edit]
- Mazda.com History o Rotary
- New York Rotary Association - New York's Biggest Rotary Ingine Auto Club (NYRA)
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