Car Tuning

Lightweight, EV-swapped Mazda RX-7 nearly hits $30k

The rotary-engined Mazda RX-7 came to us in the early 1990s and still remains a favorite among JDM car fans thanks to its appearance, sound and handling. However, it can also be a nightmare to maintain, which is probably why this example ended up losing its Wankel engine for an electric motor.

The Tesla powertrain sends a solid 367 PS (362 hp / 270 kW) to the wheels along with 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque. A compact-sized, water-cooled lithium-ion battery pack supplies the power. With its 42 kilowatt-hours of capacity, it can barely deliver 120 miles (193 kilometers) of range, but the creator insists that it’s not the main selling point. Which is, impressively, that the whole car somehow weighs less than before the transformation.

Other notable upgrades include Ground Control suspension with Eibach springs, a Tesla gas pedal with a 3D-printed mount, and a recent Alpine audio system.

Say what you will about electromods, but this 32-year-old RX-7 has just changed hands for U.S. $28,250.

Editor: Andrew Raspopov