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10 Most Important Sports Cars From Mazda

Vukasin Herbez June 7, 2025

Mazda’s saga in the sports car realm reads like an impassioned chronicle of engineering boldness, lightweight agility, and soulful design. From the groundbreaking Cosmo rotary to the global phenomenon of the Miata, Mazda has consistently demonstrated that driving pleasure transcends raw horsepower.

In the spirit of renowned automotive journalist Vukasin Herbez, this article explores ten of the most important sports cars in Mazda’s history. Each selection represents a pivotal moment when Mazda dared to innovate—reinventing package layouts, embracing rotary power, or redefining affordability in a way that reshaped both the brand’s DNA and the broader sports car landscape.

1. Mazda 110S Cosmo (1967-1972)

When the 110S Cosmo debuted in October 1967, it wasn’t merely a halo car—it was a declaration of Mazda’s ambition. Underneath its gracefully curving coupe body hid a two-rotor Wankel engine displacing just 982 cc yet delivering 110 horsepower. That power-to-weight ratio translated to a 0-60 mph sprint in roughly 10 seconds and a top speed past 120 mph—astonishing for a sub-1.0-liter engine in 1967.

Limited to around 1,176 units, the Cosmo proved rotary reliability in series production. By marrying exotic engine technology with a refined grand tourer ethos, the Cosmo launched Mazda’s long-standing romance with the rotary and set the stage for every RX that followed.

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2. Mazda Savanna RX-2 (1970-1978)

In October 1970, the Savanna RX-2 (known simply as RX-2 outside Japan) introduced Mazda’s rotary powertrain to a broader audience. Its 12A two-rotor engine produced approximately 120 horsepower from a 1.1-liter package—enough to propel a lightweight coupe to a spirited performance envelope. Early racing victories in Japanese touring car events validated the rotary’s competitive edge.

Mazda Rx 3 1973 Hd 8f0bca011bcc436616ac99be61a440844bbc96d1f — Photo Credit: Net Car Show

More importantly, the RX-2 demonstrated that a Mazda rotary needn’t be an exclusive exotic; it could thrive in a relatively affordable, mass-produced model. By combining everyday usability with a charismatic engine note and lively handling, the RX-2 paved the way for Mazda’s rotary proliferation throughout the 1970s.

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3. Mazda RX-3 Coupe (Savanna RX-3, 1971-1978)

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Building directly on the RX-2’s platform, the RX-3 arrived in late 1971 with a more aggressive fastback coupe silhouette and refined suspension tuning. Under its hood sat the same 12A mill—later supplemented by the larger 13B in export markets—eventually producing around 135 horsepower. Its sub-2,300-pound curb weight and solid chassis dynamics made it an instant favorite among tuners and racers; the RX-3 dominated in stock car championships in Japan and even abroad.

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More than a performance halo, the RX-3 proved rotary viability in a variety of body styles, from coupe to sedan to wagon. Its combination of practicality and motorsport success cemented Mazda’s identity as a rotary innovator.

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4. Mazda 323 GT-R (BA, 1992-1994)

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In 1992, Mazda resurrected the “GT-R” badge—last seen on the 1970s Familia—for a homologation special aimed squarely at Japanese touring car competition. Under the innocuous shell of a 323 Familia lay a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder (BP-ZE) producing 180 horsepower, mated to a dogleg five-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential.

The Mazda 323 Gtr An Awd Light Considerably Fast V0 8a413dovu61b1 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Unique Bilstein suspension components and beefed-up brakes allowed this sub-2,500-pound hatchback to challenge far more expensive rivals on track. Though only around 2,000 units were built, the 323 GT-R clinched the 1992 Japanese Touring Car Championship, showcasing that nimble packaging and chassis balance could trump horsepower wars. Its fleeting existence nonetheless left an indelible mark on Mazda’s sporting cachet.

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5. Mazda RX-7 (First Generation SA/FB, 1978-1985)

When the RX-7 appeared in 1978, it distilled Mazda’s rotary expertise into a razor-sharp two-door coupe. The two-rotor 12A engine—initially rated at 100 horsepower but quickly nudged to 135 hp—powered a car weighing barely 2,200 pounds, yielding a remarkably lively experience. What set the RX-7 apart was its chassis: independent suspension all around, near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and a finely tuned power steering system.

Critics lauded its cornering poise, steering feedback, and the throaty rotary growl at revs. By democratizing a sports car that was both reliable and exhilarating, the first-gen RX-7 laid the foundation for Mazda’s long-term success in offering genuinely affordable performance.

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6. Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA, 1989-1997)

In 1989, Mazda revived the spirit of classic British roadsters with the MX-5 Miata, a straightforward two-seater that valued balance over brute force. Its 1.6-liter inline-four produced 116 horsepower, driving a sub-2,200-pound chassis with a perfect 50/50 weight split. More than just stats, the Miata delivered a driving sensation so pure that it rekindled roadster passion worldwide: every gear change felt mechanical poetry, every turn delivered immediate feedback through taut, precise steering.

Its reliability and accessibility—available for under $13,000 at launch—sparked a renaissance of lightweight sports cars. By proving that simplicity could eclipse complexity, Mazda inspired countless imitators while cementing its reputation as a champion of driver-focused design.

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7. Mazda RX-8 (SE3P, 2003-2012)

The RX-8 carried the rotary torch into the twenty-first century, utilizing the Renesis 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine to produce between 189 and 238 horsepower. With a naturally aspirated rotary mounted low and behind the front axle, the RX-8 achieved an almost perfect 50/50 balance. Its four-door “freestyle” layout—front-hinged front doors and rear-hinged back doors—provided genuine practicality without compromising form.

Although criticized for fuel consumption and complexity, the RX-8’s chassis—double-wishbone suspension front and rear—delivered a level of agility and communicative steering unmatched by its contemporaries. As the last mass-produced rotary sports car, the RX-8 proved Mazda’s unwavering commitment to lightweight engineering and the beloved rotary ethos even as emissions standards tightened globally.

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8. Autozam AZ-1 (PG6SA, 1992-1994)

Under Mazda’s Autozam sub-brand, the AZ-1 was a pocket-sized mid-engined coupé sporting dramatic gullwing doors. Beneath its tiny 9-foot frame lurked a turbocharged 657-cc three-cylinder engine producing 63 horsepower, enough to send its 1,900-pound chassis hurtling to 60 mph in about 11 seconds. Though performance figures seem modest, the AZ-1’s impeccably balanced mid-engine layout, razor-sharp steering, and surreal presentation made it a cult classic.

1994 Autozam Az1 Coupe — Photo Credit: TDB

With production limited to roughly 4,400 units, it embodied 1990s Japanese kei-car eccentricity while proving Mazda’s driver-centric philosophy extended to even the smallest segments. The AZ-1 stands as a testament to the notion that driving thrills aren’t defined solely by displacement.

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9. Mazda Eunos Cosmo (JC, 1990-1996)

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When Mazda created its upscale Eunos division in the early 1990s, the Cosmo represented the pinnacle of what a Japanese grand tourer could be. While early models featured V6 engines, the top-tier Cosmo was powered by the triple-rotor 20B Wankel unit, producing a substantial 300 horsepower. Aside from its potent rotary heart, the Cosmo introduced groundbreaking cabin technology: the world’s first in-dash touchscreen navigation system, a pioneering four-speed automatic with manual-mode switching, and HID headlamps—all in 1990.

Its aerodynamic profile and sumptuous leather-lined interior rivaled European GTs. Though sold almost exclusively in Japan, the Cosmo proved Mazda’s rotary franchise could underpin a sophisticated, luxurious high-performance coupe at the top of the segment.

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10. Mazda 787B (LM-1991, 1990-1991)

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While not a road-going sports car, the 787B deserves inclusion for its unparalleled impact on endurance racing and Mazda’s rotary legacy. Designed explicitly for competition, its naturally aspirated 2.6-liter four-rotor 26B engine produced over 700 horsepower and was mated to a lightweight, carbon-fiber-reinforced monocoque.

In 1991, driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot, the 787B became the first—and only—rotary-powered car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright. Its haunting, high-pitched wail remains legendary among enthusiasts. Beyond victory laps, Le Mans glory elevated Mazda’s global brand image and underscored the rotary engine’s potential when placed in world-class race machinery.

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