Mazda RX-3, Full Specifications

Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1971-1978
Manufacturer	Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Mazda)
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Internal Designation	Savanna (S102A / S124A)
Body Styles	2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase	2,310 mm
Overall Length	4,065 mm (coupe), 4,155 mm (sedan)
Overall Width	1,595 mm
Overall Height	1,345 mm (coupe), 1,395 mm (sedan)
Kerb Weight	910 kg (coupe, 10A), 945 kg (coupe, 12A), 980 kg (sedan, 12A)
Fuel Tank Capacity	50 L
Boot Capacity	Approx. 320 L (coupe)
Drag Coefficient	Not officially published

Engine Specifications

10A (S102A, Early RX-3, 1971-1973)

Spec	Value
Type	Twin-rotor Wankel rotary
Designation	10A
Displacement	982 cc (2 x 491 cc)
Rotor Dimensions	Not published (nominal 491 cc per chamber)
Compression Ratio	9.4:1
Power	81 kW (110 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Torque	137 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System	Nikki 4-barrel carburettor
Ignition	Points-type distributor (early), electronic (later)
Cooling	Water-cooled
Lubrication	Wet sump with oil metering pump (apex seal lubrication)
Redline	7,500 rpm
Oil Capacity	Approx. 3.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	20W-50 mineral

12A (S124A, Later RX-3, 1973-1978)

Spec	Value
Type	Twin-rotor Wankel rotary
Designation	12A
Displacement	1,146 cc (2 x 573 cc)
Rotor Dimensions	573 cc per chamber
Compression Ratio	9.4:1
Power	97 kW (130 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Torque	157 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System	Nikki 4-barrel carburettor
Ignition	Points-type distributor (early), electronic (later)
Cooling	Water-cooled
Lubrication	Wet sump with oil metering pump (apex seal lubrication)
Redline	7,500 rpm
Oil Capacity	Approx. 4.0 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	20W-50 mineral

Rotary Engine Internal Components

Component	Quantity (per rotor)	Notes
Apex Seals	3	Primary combustion chamber seal
Side Seals	6 (3 per side)	Seal rotor face to side housing
Corner Seals	6 (3 per side)	Seal apex/side seal junction
Oil Seals	6 (3 per side)	Control oil consumption
Rotor Springs	3 (apex seal springs)	Maintain apex seal tension

Transmission

Spec	Value
Standard	4-speed manual
Optional	3-speed automatic
Clutch	Single dry plate, hydraulic actuation

4-Speed Manual Gear Ratios

Gear	Ratio
1st	3.587
2nd	2.022
3rd	1.414
4th	1.000
Reverse	3.663

Final Drive

Variant	Ratio
Standard	3.909
SP / Performance	4.111
Automatic	3.700

Suspension

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Leaf springs (sedan/wagon), Coil springs (coupe)
Dampers	Telescopic hydraulic	Telescopic hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	No (optional on SP)

SP Suspension Differences

Component	Specification
Front springs	Stiffer rate than standard
Rear springs	Stiffer rate than standard
Dampers	Firmer calibration
Limited-Slip Differential	Optional / standard on some SP models

Brakes

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Solid disc	Drum
Diameter (front disc)	238 mm
Drum Diameter (rear)	229 mm
Booster	Vacuum assisted

Steering

Spec	Value
Type	Recirculating ball
Power Assist	No (manual steering)
Turns Lock-to-Lock	3.5
Turning Circle	9.4 m

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Variant	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
10A Manual	10.5 s	~17.0 s	175 km/h
12A Manual	9.0 s	~16.2 s	185 km/h
12A SP Manual	8.5 s	~15.8 s	190 km/h
12A Automatic	11.5 s	~18.0 s	170 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Variant	L/100 km
10A Manual	13-15
12A Manual	15-18
12A SP Manual	16-20
12A Automatic	14-17
12A Street Ported	18-22
12A Bridge Ported	22-28

Tyre Specifications

Variant	Size
Standard	155SR13
SP / Performance	175/70R13
Common Upgrade	185/70R13 or 195/60R14

Wheel Specifications

Spec	Value
Standard	13” x 4.5” steel
SP	13” x 5” alloy or steel
Bolt Pattern	4 x 114.3
Centre Bore	73.1 mm

Electrical

Spec	Value
Battery	12V, 45 Ah
Alternator	35A (early), 45A (later)
Headlights	Sealed beam
Ignition	Points (early), electronic (later and modified)

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	5,000 km or 3 months
Spark plugs	15,000 km
Ignition points (if fitted)	10,000 km (adjust), 20,000 km (replace)
Compression test	Annually (recommended)
Coolant	24 months or 40,000 km
Gearbox oil	40,000 km
Differential oil	40,000 km
Brake fluid	24 months

Model Variants (Australian Market)

RX-3 Coupe (10A)

Spec	Value
Engine	10A (982 cc)
Power	81 kW (110 hp)
Kerb Weight	910 kg
Production	1971-1973

RX-3 Coupe (12A)

Spec	Value
Engine	12A (1,146 cc)
Power	97 kW (130 hp)
Kerb Weight	945 kg
Production	1973-1978

RX-3 SP Coupe

Spec	Value
Engine	12A (1,146 cc)
Power	97 kW (130 hp)
Additional	Close-ratio gearbox, sport suspension, LSD (some), SP badging
Kerb Weight	950 kg

RX-3 Sedan (12A)

Spec	Value
Engine	12A (1,146 cc)
Power	97 kW (130 hp)
Kerb Weight	980 kg

RX-3 Wagon (12A)

Spec	Value
Engine	12A (1,146 cc)
Power	97 kW (130 hp)
Kerb Weight	1,010 kg

Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)

Variant	Units
RX-3 Total (all variants)	~286,000
Coupe	~95,000
Sedan	~130,000
Wagon	~61,000