The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a firm favorite among automotive enthusiasts of all stripes. An entry-level sports car that’s accessible to young drivers, it offers a combination of driving fun, stylish design, and affordability. Thanks to its popularity among young people and car enthusiasts, the Mazda Miata has always been ripe for modification, and there are countless engine-swapped examples out there. This one, however, is a little more interesting than most.British company Rocketeer set out to create V6-powered versions of the Miata’s first two generations, the NA and NB. The engine that runs the show is a Jaguar V6 unit with close ties to several other giants of the automotive world. The AJ-30 Engine: The Rocketeer Miata's Heart Rocketeer CarsThis one-of-a-kind Miata is powered by a Jaguar engine called the AJ-30, a member of the AJ-V6 engine family. The AJ-V6 is derived from a Ford engine known as the Duratec V6. The AJ-30 was introduced in 2000, while the Duratec V6 had arrived four years earlier. A version of its Ford counterpart can be found in the Noble M400 and its American counterpart, the Rossion Q1. Aside from the 3.0-liter AJ-30, there are also two smaller versions of the AJ-V6 engine: the 2.1-liter AJ-20 and the 2.5-liter AJ-25.Interestingly, Mazda itself also had a version of the Ford Duratec V6, although it was never used in the Miata. Known as the AJ or the MZI depending on variant, this engine can be found in a few Mazda models from the era, including the MPV minivan, the Mazda6, and the Tribute.Rocketeer When coming up with the choice of engine that would power their creation, the team at Rocketeer immediately excluded a V8, as it would be too large and heavy. Eventually, they settled on a V6 as their layout of choice; the AJ-30 was chosen for some key properties that made it well suited to the Rocketeer Miata.It was a fairly high-revving engine for its era, developing peak power around 6,750 rpm. It also received some upgrades when compared to its Ford counterpart. Some of the AJ-30’s features include a forged crankshaft, direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets, sequential fuel injection, and variable valve timing.The AJ-30 is also fairly lightweight, thanks to its all-aluminum engine block. Its weight is not much different from that of the Miata’s original engine, which meant the weight distribution would not be affected when swapping one engine for the other. The engine’s character meant it could elevate the characteristics of the Miata while simultaneously creating something new and exciting, providing a driving experience that’s fun and engaging. The AJ-30 Engine's Unique History And The Many Brands Involved Rocketeer The AJ-30 engine was the product of a long and elaborate design process, with four different automakers playing a pivotal role in its creation. Here is how each brand contributed to the creation of the engine that powers the Rocketeer Miata. Porsche The German automaker was responsible for a substantial part of the Ford Duratec V6’s design, which would eventually evolve into the AJ-V6. At the time the engine was created, Ford’s own engine development resources were scarce, and the company reached out to Porsche to make the most of its engineering expertise. As a result, the Duratec V6/AJ-V6 was built by Porsche under contract to Ford, and shares many of its characteristics (such as the cylinder head design) with Porsche engines of the time. Jaguar A few years after the debut of the Ford Duratec V6, Jaguar’s take on the same engine was launched: the AJ-V6. This engine received several upgrades before making its debut in the 2000 Jaguar S-Type. These included the addition of variable valve timing, an upgraded fuel injection system, and an upgraded valvetrain with direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets.The AJ-V6 was used in a few other Jaguar models aside from the S-Type. In AJ-30 (3.0-liter) form, it was used in the X-Type, XJ, and XF. It was also used in the Lincoln LS between 2001 and 2006. The other two members of the AJ-V6 family (the 2.1-liter AJ-20 and the 2.5-liter AJ-25) were also used in the S-Type and X-Type.Rocketeer Ford Although Ford hired Porsche to start the engine’s development process, the Blue Oval also contributed to some of its design. The Duratec V6 was a large engine family, whose members powered a long list of Ford models including the Mondeo and the Taurus. The Jaguar AJ-30 was also built in a Ford plant in Cleveland, Ohio. Cosworth Legendary British automotive engineering firm Cosworth was also involved in the creation of the AJ-V6. Ford licensed a cylinder head manufacturing method pioneered by the company, called the Cosworth Casting Method. Among other features, this method used a preheated, cooled, and rotated mold to achieve high uniformity, density, and strength. The Rocketeer Miata: Taking Something Great And Making It Even Better RocketeerRocketeer’s take on the Miata uses two different generations of the model as a starting point: the V6 swap package is available with either the first-gen NA, the iconic model famous for its pop-up headlights, or the second-gen NB model that followed it. (If you own an NC, stay tuned: an NC conversion is due to become available later this year). Standard power output is 280 hp, however Rocketeer can increase it up to 375 hp. In this state of tune, the engine can rev even higher, up to 9,000 rpm.The conversion is available as a complete package, with the whole process handled by Rocketeer, or as a self-build kit. The former will set you back around $27,000, while the latter is closer to the $20,000 mark (plus taxes, and the cost of the car, which you will need to provide). There is also a far more expensive third option: a full-blown restomod project, which restores and upgrades every aspect of the car. This option starts around the $100,000 mark.Rocketeer Rocketeer’s Miata has been so popular that the company has been steadily expanding its territory over the past year. In mid-2025, the Rocketeer Miata finally became available in the US; earlier this year, the company also added the EU to its list of markets around the world.The Rocketeer Miata takes all the main characteristics that make the regular Miata such a popular car, and enhances them even further. Despite having a very different engine from its production counterpart, it is still, at its core, a lightweight sports car with a naturally aspirated engine and a manual transmission: the perfect recipe for a fun weekend car that’s also reliable enough to be a daily driver. Rocketeer: The Brand Behind This Bonkers Project Rocketeer Based in the Hampshire region of England, Rocketeer was founded in 2013 by Bruce Southey. Prior to starting his own business, Southey had around 30 years of experience in the design world, and had worked for Overfinch, a customization company that specializes in personalized Land Rover models.At the start of its journey, the company primarily focused on contracting and consulting work. Later on, Rocketeer also began to build conversion kits for car enthusiasts to work on their own projects, something the company still offers today. Eventually, the brand evolved into something much bigger, and by 2021 it had become Southey’s full-time job, as well as moving into its own premises.Rocketeer So far, Rocketeer has been responsible for building around 30 complete turn-key V6-powered Miatas, as well as supplying around 150 self-build kits for enthusiasts wishing to do their own engine swap. And if you don’t own a Miata, you can still join in the fun: the company also supplies AJ-30 engines to drivers who wish to install one in a different car, building a truly personalized creation.Rocketeer’s interpretation of this iconic model is one of the most fun ways to own a classic MX-5 out there. As the company extends its reach to more countries around the world thanks to enthusiasts’ growing demand, we’re sure that more Rocketeer Miatas will start popping up on American and European roads.Sources: Rocketeer, Mazda, Porsche, Ford, Cosworth, Jaguar