The Rocketeer Keiryo Miata: A 375 hp Mazda MX-5 with the Power-to-Weight Ratio of a Ferrari F40

This modified Mazda MX-5 boasts the same power-to-weight ratio as the iconic Ferrari F40. This demonstrates the little roadster’s versatility for high-performance projects.

The name “Keiryo” comes from Japanese and means “lightweight.” This modified Mazda MX-5 achieves a weight of just 850 kilograms (1,874 pounds) and generates 375 horsepower. Consequently, its power-to-weight ratio of 441 hp per ton places it in the same performance league as vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan V10 and the McLaren 620R.

Rocketeer uses an upgraded version of Jaguar’s 3.0-liter V6 engine. The company rebuilds and fortifies this engine to achieve the 375 hp. The first Keiryo Miata unit is currently in production. Its scheduled delivery is for early next year.

Limited Production and a “Touring” Model

Rocketeer plans to build only 10 units of the Keiryo Miata. This ensures the vehicle’s exclusivity. Additionally, the company will offer a less extreme “Touring” version. The Touring model will add back “certain creature comforts,” suggesting the hardcore version lacks many of the amenities expected in the roadster.

Rocketeer is not a massive operation. The company has built only a few hundred cars since its inception nearly a decade ago. Last year, the company delivered more than a dozen RestoMod builds, its highest figure to date. Therefore, a Miata from Rocketeer is a truly unique car.

Additional Projects and the Miata’s Versatility

The company is also working on an Mk3 NC version of its Rocketeer RestoMod. The first NC build is almost done. Its delivery is scheduled for early 2026. This model will feature a revised version of its V6 engine delivering 300 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque.

Rocketeer has built cars for clients in countries like Antigua, Brazil, and the United States. It has also sent self-build kits around the world. The Keiryo Miata is one more example of the incredible versatility that the little roadster maintains.