Four Rotor, AWD RX-7 Is One Fire-Breathing Mazda

Rotary-powered cars haven’t fared so well in the past couple of decades. While Mazda tried to hang in there with the unique engine technology, even it backed off rotaries after the RX-8 didn’t do so well shortly after launching. But some tuners are pushing the limits of this unique configuration, like this four-rotor RX-7 with all-wheel drive that literally breathes fire as it rips down the drag strip.

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We know up front a lot of people are going to have instantaneous hot takes on this Mazda, even if they know literally nothing about it. After all, rotary engines have proven divisive. But when you throw in all-wheel drive for drag racing, well that right there raises the hackles of quite a few racers and enthusiasts.

Whatever your opinions might be, there’s no arguing with cold, hard numbers. After all, with this unique setup, the RX-7 can rip 9-second quarter mile passes, spitting flames and shattering eardrums in the process. That’s really pushing the rotary engine to new heights.

Just to first glance at this car, you know it’s either pushing serious power or the owner is one of those Fast and Furious cosplayer types. After all, the RX-7 is sporting a humongous adjustable rear wing like what you see some guys bolt onto the back of their Civic that’s pushing 140-horsepower.

Then there’s the rear diffuser. It looks like it would murder a pedestrian were this car to back up into one. But it’s designed for slicing through the air, not humans.

Without seeing this RX-7 in action, like if it were just parked somewhere, the dead giveaway that it’s not just a riced-out Mazda would be the side-exit exhaust. That combined with the beadlocks in the rear and big Wilwood brakes shows someone wasn’t just going for flash. But to see this car in action is to remove all doubt: it is fast!

Image via Rob Dahm/YouTube