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 |
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