- Rocketeer Cars swaps the Miata’s four-cylinder for a 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated V6.
- The company is also building a lightweight MXV6 with 375 hp that weighs just 1,873 lbs.
- Interested buyers can purchase a self-build kit for around $21K or a turnkey car for $29K.
It feels like every classic sports car is a candidate for a restomod these days, and now, a British specialist in upgraded Mazda MX-5s is preparing to bring its creations to the United States. Meet Rocketeer Cars, the company responsible for turning the humble NA and NB Miatas into something far more exciting.
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At the heart of Rocketeer’s MXV6 is the Jaguar-sourced 3.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, a choice that’s as much about weight as it is about performance. It’s light, it loves to rev, and that’s exactly what you want in a small, rear-wheel-drive sports car. The standard restomod version delivers 280 hp, which is plenty for a car that barely tips the scales.
Read: This Unhinged Mazda Miata Is Like No Other
Rocketeer has so far built 30 turnkey and restomod builds while also shipping a further 150 self-build kits. Thanks to its growth, the company has attracted additional investment that will allow it to sell vehicles in the US. That’s great news for Americans, as the MX-5 has a massive following across the country, and we’re sure heaps’d love to own a V6-powered MX-5.
More things are coming from the British company. In addition to offering significant enhancements for the NA and NB models, it’s also finalizing development of the NC Miata and expects to begin the first deliveries in the coming months.
But the pièce de résistance? The Keiryō. Meaning “lightweight” in Japanese, this special build is set to be the lightest and most powerful MXV6 to date. A client has already commissioned it, and Rocketeer aims to keep it under a feather-light 850 kg (1,873 lbs) while pushing the V6 to deliver 375 hp. That results in an impressive 441 hp per tonne, putting it on par with the likes of a Lamborghini Huracan. Once the first car is completed, Rocketeer plans to offer the Keiryō to other interested clients.
As for prices, they vary depending on how much customization you want, but let’s just say this isn’t exactly the budget option for your typical Miata owner. As Carbuzz reports, the more basic turnkey MXV6 with the V6 engine starts at £22,000 ($29,000), including installation, while the DIY V6 kits alone go for £16,000 ($21,000). So, if you’re dreaming of a more powerful Miata with a bit of British flair, it’ll cost you. But then again, when does a sports car ever come cheap?
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