The Mazda RX7 is a Japanese super car. With 280 horsepower, twin turbos and a curb weight of a mere 2500 lbs. Special neon under lighting at the push of a button.
Quick statistics:
Twin rotor rotary engine, 1.3 liters
486 hp without nitrous, 575 with nitrous
T78 turbocharger
"Sneaky Pete" under-seat nitrous system
VeilSide exhaust
18" Toyo Tires with VeilSide wheels
VeilSide body kit
VeilSide rear wing
0-60 in 4.9 seconds
Standing quarter mile 12.21 seconds
Their ideal weight distribution over each axle makes the car supremely balanced, making it able to carve canyons like few others. The engine is a rotary design, completely unlike traditional piston engines, which allow the car to rev its' super-tiny motor to nearly 11,000 rpms (the average street car revs to just over 5,000 rpms.) These cars were designed at the outer edges of their performance capabilities, making them top performers right off the showroom floor. If they have a weakness, it would have to be the limits of the engine. With radical modifications, these cars can produce 800+ horsepower, but most super-killer street versions come in at around 350 hp. version used in the movie is a 450hp street terror.
"Behind the scenes" Movie Trivia: Because Vin Diesel was so tall, the roll cage that was originally in the car was removed so that Vin's muscular stature could be accommodated.