The answer is always Miata. But if you want more power? Just add cylinders.

Believe it or not, Mazda thought about putting a V6 under the hood of the MX-5 decades ago. They even built a working prototype but never put it into production because of weight limitations and packaging problems. However, a UK-based company was able to shoehorn a V6 under the hood of the MX-5 NC.

For third-generation Mazda MX-5 owners who have been craving more cylinders and considerably more power, Rocketeer Cars may have exactly what they’ve been looking for.

The UK-based specialist behind V6-powered MX-5 conversions is giving the often-overlooked third-gen Miata a very good reason to be remembered, unveiling its new Rocketeer NC at the Goodwood Revival as the company celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Under the hood sits a post-2003 Jaguar AJ30 3.0L V6 that has been extensively re-engineered in-house for the NC. In standard specification, it produces 300 PS and 360 Nm of torque, a substantial jump over the MX-5's original four-cylinder engine.

Shoehorning the V6 into the NC was anything but a straightforward engine swap. Rocketeer had to develop a custom cylinder-head design to allow the V6 to fit without modifying the bulkhead. It also required fabricating custom engine components, including a carbon-fiber intake plenum, throttle body, exhaust system, clutch, and flywheel.

Despite the larger engine, Rocketeer claims the NC retains its original curb weight and weight distribution. The company says careful attention to engine positioning and weight management offsets the V6's additional mass, while the factory subframe and underlying structure remain original.

That's important because Rocketeer's philosophy isn't simply more power, more speed. The company says 18 months of development went into preserving the MX-5's analogue, momentum-car character while adding significantly more power.

“The Rocketeer NC is the natural progression for the Rocketeer portfolio of conversions, but it is more than simply an evolution of the previous generations,” said managing director Bruce Southey. “This has been a full re-engineering project from the ground up.”

The NC joins Rocketeer's existing NA- and NB-based V6 conversions, with more than 180 Rocketeers delivered worldwide over the past decade.

The turnkey NC conversion starts around PHP 1.9 million plus VAT, with orders available through Rocketeer's UK facility and partners in North America, Germany, and Australia. Build slots for 2027 are now being finalized.

For a generation of MX-5 that has arguably never received the same love as the NA, NB, or ND, Rocketeer is making a compelling case for the NC.

Purists need not apply here, but who cares when there’s a high-revving 300 PS V6 lurking under the hood.