Petrolhead Corner: The Rocketeer MXV6

Allegedly, Napoleon Bonaparte as soon as stated, “If you would like a factor completed effectively, do it your self”, and that’s precisely how the Rocketeer MXV6 took place. Constructed by the Rocketeer Automobiles firm within the UK, it solutions the query a variety of Mazda MX-5 and automobile fans, basically, have been asking for years: What would a V6-powered MX-5 be prefer to stay with? Essentially the most easy reply can be “Sensible!!” however it’s not so simple as it could look. An even bigger engine normally means extra weight, which doubtlessly throws off the best 50-50 weight distribution the little roadster is legendary for. However is {that a} sacrifice value making for a extra thrilling experience? Let’s discover out!

The Masterful MX-5

The substances that made the Mazda MX-5 such a legendary little roadster are fairly easy: a low kerb weight, good 50-50 distribution, the engine up entrance, and drive to the rear. The idea is way from groundbreaking, as it’s one thing the Brits have been superb at for many years. Consider vehicles just like the Lotus Elan, the MG B, the Austin Healey, the Triumph TR-series, and so forth. But, the Japanese roadster had a few different issues going for it when it was first launched in 1989: affordability and reliability. In virtually 4 a long time of manufacturing, effectively over one million have been produced, consolidating it as probably the most profitable sports activities vehicles ever made. In truth, it’s the best-selling two-seat sports activities automobile in automotive historical past, which says rather a lot about simply how sensible a automobile it’s!

At present, the automobile is in its fourth technology and remains to be a much-loved compact sports activities automobile. From the very first NA technology to the present ND-gen vehicles, the playful soul of the MX-5 has been retained. It nonetheless has a comparatively low weight, nonetheless has the engine up entrance, and nonetheless sends all the facility to the rear wheels solely. Certain, it has matured right into a extra luxurious automobile, however the essence remains to be very a lot there! It nonetheless delivers boatloads of driving enjoyable when you step on it with out instantly biting your head off. It’s the kind of automobile you drive for pure enjoyment as a substitute of blistering efficiency. However when you’re on the hunt for a bit of bit extra oomph and need to make your NA or NB collection MX-5 a bit of extra ‘You’, there’s an excellent answer coming from the UK! And it goes by the identify of Rocketeer Automobiles.

Rocketeer Automobiles

Rocketeer Automobiles is an organization based mostly in Hampshire, United Kingdom and was based in 2013 by Bruce Southey. The unique thought of the corporate was to concentrate on contracting and consulting for the automotive trade whereas additionally providing conversion kits on the facet. Over time, this has shifted to an intensive vary of conversions and components devoted to the MX-5, with track-specialized builds, dependable every day drivers, and extra discovering a robust fanbase the world over.

Rocketeer’s imaginative and prescient is to reinforce the near-perfect driving expertise of the MX-5 with a bit of bit of additional sparkle right here and there, elevating it to new heights. All that is completed with the utmost respect to the unique platform, enhanced with precision-engineered elements the place wanted or desired. It’s stated to nonetheless have the dealing with traits of the unique automobile, but with all of the dials turned as much as 11. It’s principally the V6 MX-5 that Mazda themselves have by no means constructed.

The Rocketeer MXV6

The Rocketeer MXV6 is available in three kinds: a full-fledged restomod construct, a turn-key conversion, and a do-it-yourself equipment. It principally comes right down to how a lot you’re aiming to spend, how far you need your MX-5 modified and customized, and if you wish to go away it to the professionals of Rocketeer Automobiles and their companions or have a go at it your self. A restomod sees a donor automobile being absolutely damaged right down to a naked shell, refurbished and strengthened, earlier than being constructed again up by Rocketeer specialists. Turnkey vehicles are additionally constructed by hand however with extra standardized ranges of element. Each will get you Rocketeer badging, setting your automobile other than inventory MX-5s only a contact extra. The DIY components packages may also be utilized to vehicles just like the Ford Capri, Reliant Scimitar, Triumph Stag and so forth, however we’re side-stepping a bit right here.

To begin with the plain, the Rocketeer MXV6 ditches the 1.8-litre four-cylinder of the MX-5. It’s changed by the Ford-built Duratect 30/AJ30 engine utilized by Jaguar within the X-Sort, S-Sort, XJ and XF fashions. The output is about 240 horsepower in inventory type, which is already significantly greater than the max 180bhp you get from the NA or NB MX-5’s four-banger (or within the case of a turn-key conversion for the NC-gen vehicles as effectively). Not content material with that base quantity, the bottom Rocketeer provides is a 280bhp conversion, however output in extra of 400bhp can be an possibility. Every engine is absolutely rebuilt and upgraded by Basset Down Balancing, a companion of Rocketeer Automobiles.

Efficiency-wise, acceleration occasions drop significantly whereas the highest velocity will increase fairly drastically. A typical NA or NB MX-5 has a zero-to-100kph time of round 8.6 seconds. Rocketeer claims that the low-end spec MXV6 hits 100kph in 5 seconds, whereas top-spec builds are even faster. However what issues most is the truth that Rocketeer additionally guarantees to uphold the MX-5’s fabled 50-50 weight distribution by transforming a ton of different bits on the automobile apart from the engine swap. Any construct can embody numerous efficiency components, from braking to suspension, from wheels and tyres to exhaust techniques, and so forth.

And it doesn’t finish with the mechanics, as there are a ton of exterior and inside choices to select from. Totally different lighting kits, for example, can convert the unique frog-eyed pop-up headlights look to a meaner twin-light pop-up design. The physique may also be absolutely restored and refreshed if wanted, with upgrades wherever the consumer wants or desires them. Inside trim could be completed in just about any color and materials when choosing a restomod construct, so it actually comes right down to how far you’re prepared to take it. Costs for restomod builds are decided by the adjustments requested, whereas turnkey builds begin at GBP 16,995, excluding VAT and a donor automobile. The DIY kits are priced based on their contents. An electronics pack prices GBP 1,995, whereas the engine pack will set you again GBP 5,995 to present you an thought of the whole prices concerned.

The largest query, nonetheless, is whether or not the MX-5 DNA has been retained after you’ve gone all out on the components and choices record. The reply is a powerful ‘Sure!’ because the Rocketeer MXV6 has been skilfully re-engineered to easily ship extra in each space of the MX-5’s laureled driving expertise.

For extra data, please go to RocketeerCars.com.

Editorial Word: The data and pictures used for this text have been sourced from and used with the permission of Rocketeer Automobiles.