I had understood from numerous postings on this site that the "RX-7" was known as the "Efini" in Japan. However, I came across some Japanese Mazda literature, and although I don't read Japanese, there was enough english to lead me to believe it may, in fact, be called the "Spirit" and that there are 4 models: Type A; Type B; Type C; and (NO not "Type D" but) the Type R, which is also apparently referred to as the "Bathurst Edition." What's with that???

 

Spirit is a model option name, not the manufacturing name Efini. Spirit would be the same as Touring, PEP, R1, R2 type names. They come in A,B,C types due to the differences in engine HP, tranny, rear seat options, etc.

Efini is the equivalent to Lexus made by Toyota
Spirit, R, Bathurst is the equivalent to Touring, Base, R2, PEP, PEG Model type names.

Tim

PS Is this the website?
http://www.rx-7.mazda.co.jp/

 

Yup...that's the one! I wish it was in English though.

 

Mazda stopped selling RX-7's under the Efini label at the end of the '98 Model Year. From '99 on, all RX-7's have been sold under the Mazda name and have been badged accordingly.

The new 'Spirit' Models are the latest limited edition RX-7 model(1500 made) comparable to how the M edition Miatas are done in the States. The previous limited edition model before the Spirit models was the "Type R Bathurst" and, before that, the "Type R Bathurst R." The standard RX-7 model lineup consists of such cars like the Type RB, Type R, and Type RS.

 

Translate using the link below.

http://world.altavista.com/

 

Got it. Thanks!