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The Mazda RX-2 was a midsize car introduced in 1970 and sold through 1978. It used a rotary engine and shared a chassis with the piston-engined Mazda Capella.
The RX-2 was really an option package for the Capella, albeit one that included a powerful rotary engine. In fact, early RX-2s were simply badged "Capella" with a small "RE" or rotor shape in the grille. The RX-2 was intended as a rotary-powered family car.
Production
1970–1978 (4 Series in total)
Body style
Mazda Australia released the Series I RX-2 in October 1970. Model specs were the Deluxe (D) and Super Deluxe (SD) sedan plus the Super Deluxe Coupe. Prices were $2998 for SD sedan and $3298 for the SD coupe
Series 1/2 RX2
The series 1 capella can be distinguished by its rectangular front headlights an both 1600 and Rotary models. The Rx2 had the round tailights similar.The Rx2 had 're' rotor shaped badges on the front guards, the grill had a large 're' badge and also a slightly different rotor shaped badge in the very centre of the grill. On the glovebox lid you will find 'capella' on the piston models and the rotary models also have a red 're' after it...ie capella re. The Rx2 interior also had a centre console standard, fold down armrest in the back seat, tacho. dash, and some other options like electric aerial..etc.The rotary models came with the ignition key steering wheel lock where as the 1600's did not. Series 1 models will have a built date between 1970 and 1972. Series 2 was very similar to the series 1 but had twin round headlights on both piston and rotary models. They were built between 1972 and 1973. Everything else stated for series 1 should hold true for series 2. The series 1 and 2 both came out with a 12A twin distributor engine and four speed gearbox. These motors saw the starter motor up on the top and the slave cylinder down the side. The engine mounts to the crossmember using brackets attatched to the front side plate of the engine. The brake master cylinder on the Rx2 models is remotely mounted on the right hand strut tower for both series 1 and 2 models, presumeably to keep the cylinder away from the heat of the exhaust.
Engine Type 12A
Displacement 1146 cc
Power output 97kW @ 6,000rpm (approx 130hp)
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Approx. weight 1050kg's.
Redline 7000 rpm
Top speed 190km/h
Tank capacity 45L
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2464 mm (97.s in)
Length 4140 mm (163 in)
Width 1575 mm (62.2 in)
Driveline
3-speed jatco automatic
4-speed syncro manual
Final drive ratio (Diff)
3.9:1
Tyres: 185/70HR13 or 165HR13
Wheels: Steel 13 x 5.5"
Series 3 RX2
In late 1973, the Series III arrived on the Japanese market. There were big changes for the RX-2 this time. Firstly, under the bonnet was the newly developed single dizzy 12A. Really known as the 12B; however, due to the millions spent on marketing, the 12A name stayed. An added feature was the Rotary Engine Anti-Pollution System or REAPS. A five-speed manual gearbox became an option on RX-2s. The interior received considerable updating including an oversized RX-4 steering wheel. Suspension setting were altered and quite notably the taillights were changed to meet 1974 Japanese government regulations.
The Series III arrived in early 1974. Australian models found all the extra interior updates, including the 12A single dizzy plus its REAPS, wider 165SR13s and a 3.9:1 diff ratio, previously reserved for the auto. The rear end treatment followed the Japanese brake-indicator-brake-reverse taillight pattern. The major rework of the Series III packed an extra 75kg onto the curb weight. With 1025kg and still only 130 (official) hp, the RX-2 was slowed to 18.0 seconds down the quarter mile.
To keep customers happy, Mazda offered a 2-year/40,000km warranty on the rotary engine. Fortunately, the new 12B proved more reliable than the twin dizzy 12A. The price rose marginally to $3668 for the manual and $3958 for the auto. Mazda Australia's marketing people decided to drop the coupe from the line up. The reasoning was to give the RX-3 coupe the sporty two-door image and keep the RX-2 in the medium-sized family-car bracket.
Series 4 RX2
Mid 1974 saw release of the Series IV in Japan. Externally, the Series IV carried an updated front end. A smooth pointed bonnet and RX-4 style grille with RX-3 type headlights and surrounds gave the engine better cooling and great looks for the RX-2 to finish out the decade.
Australia received the Series IV RX-2 at the end of 1974. However, due to the slowed sales of the Series III (caused by delays in ordering of about 7-8 weeks, the OPEC oil crisis and the RX-3 and RX-4 to choose from) customers had to wait until mid 1975 before the first of the 19'74 models appeared in showrooms.
By this time the RX-3 was almost gone, RX-4 sales had slowed significantly and the RX-5 was only a matter of months away. All up, Australian Mazda dealers sold around 300 Series IV sedans. They continued to take orders up until April '76.