Mazda RX-7 FD Type R Bathurst R
A Japanese-market Type R limited edition distinguished by adjustable dampers and special interior equipment.
Identity and introduction
The Type R Bathurst R was a limited edition of the FD-generation RX-7, based on the Type R. Japanese sales began on 30 August 2001 through Mazda Anfini dealers, with an announced limit of 500 cars. This was a sales allocation, not a verified production total. Mazda launch release.
Defining equipment
Special height-adjustable dampers were adjusted by dealers. Bathurst R decals accompanied Mazda Speed carbon-look cockpit panels, a carbon shift knob and parking-brake lever. Colours were Sunburst Yellow, Pure White and Innocent Blue Mica. Mazda specified the 13B-REW rotary engine, five-speed manual transmission and 206 kW (280 PS). Contemporary equipment list.
Body, engineering and production context
The underlying FD was a rear-wheel-drive coupé powered by a sequentially turbocharged rotary engine. RX-7 assembly was in Hiroshima, Japan; this is model-level manufacturing context rather than evidence of a separate Bathurst R assembly operation. RX-7 overview.
The dated launch announcement establishes when this edition went on sale. It does not establish an exact first-build date, last-build date or independently defined model-year range. Those distinctions matter when identifying an individual car.
Bathurst R and the subsequent Bathurst
The separate Type R Bathurst went on sale on 10 December 2001. Mazda explicitly described its adjustable dampers as a feature carried over from the August Bathurst R. The December version also featured fog lamps and a different, five-colour palette. Its announcement did not state a numerical sales limit, so the August edition’s allocation must not be transferred to it. December launch release.
The Bathurst name commemorated RX-7 victories in Australia’s Bathurst 12-hour race in 1992–1994. It identifies a competition connection, while the August announcement’s sales territory was Japan. Mazda’s explanation of the name.
Place in the final FD range
The later adoption of its adjustable dampers makes the Bathurst R an identifiable step in the FD’s late equipment development. This significance follows from Mazda’s explicit comparison between the two Bathurst editions. December announcement.
In March 2002, Mazda announced the final Spirit R series and listed the December Type R Bathurst alongside it. That release anticipated the end of FD production in August 2002; it did not establish a Bathurst R production end date. The Spirit R Type A therefore belongs to a separate final-series record. Mazda’s Spirit R announcement.