Matasaburo Maeda

Three Principles for Expressing the Rotary in Form

The first-generation RX-7 was Mazda's first mass-production sports car. According to Maeda, the clear lines and flowing elegance of this rotary-engined car were decided by three principles. The first was to find the best way to express the character of the rotary engine, the second was to reduce air resistance, and the third was a classic front-midship layout. Thanks to the shape of the rotary engine, the nose could be made much lower than usual, and together with the retractable headlights it gave this sports car its characteristic shape. Because the rotary engine had such a large influence on the design, Maeda brought engineers and modelers into the design process early. The system of these three groups working together is still the foundation of Mazda's way of co-creation today.