Mazda MX-5 Reimagined as V6-Powered Rocket

Rocketeer’s V6-powered Keiryo MX-5 is a lighter, more powerful version of the best-selling Japanese roadster.

Rocketeer MX-5 Keiryo NA and NC

Image: Rocketeer

Rocketeer Cars is known for fitting Mazda MX-5s with V6 engines. However, the UK tuner has now created its most extreme modified MX-5 yet. The Keiryo, meaning lightweight in Japanese, will be limited to only 10 units. The first example has already been built, with delivery scheduled for early 2026. A Touring model will also be available, which will retain many of the creature comforts the Keiryo lacks for weight-saving purposes.

Each Rocketeer model is built at the company’s engineering and production facility in Whitchurch, Hampshire and features a bespoke design, closely created with the commissioning client – from mechanical to cosmetic specs. The build can take up to one year.

Based on the first-generation MX-5 NA, the Keiryo replaces the Miata’s 1.6-litre four-pot with a Jaguar-derived 3.0-litre AJ30 V6 engine producing 275 kW. This is a significant power increase from the standard powertrain – the latter including the (B6ZE) 1.6-litre and a 1.8-litre (BP) engine in later models, which churned out between 85 kW and 99 kW. The reimagined Mazda MX-5 also adopts several weight-saving measures to bring down its mass to just 850 kg (wet) – the latter giving it a supercar-rivalling power-to-weight ratio of 329 kW/tonne. Rocketeer could potentially offer the Keiryo treatment to the second-generation MX-5 as well.

Alongside the Keiryo, Rocketeer is working on its first reimagined third-generation MX-5 NC Rocketeer RestoMod, powered by a V6 endowed with 224 kW and 360 N.m on tap. The first example of this model will also be delivered in early 2026.

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The post Mazda MX-5 Reimagined as V6-Powered Rocket appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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