If there is one thing enthusiasts have consistently said the Mazda MX-5 Miata lacked during its four-decade history, it is outright power. Aside from a handful of special editions that pushed close to 200 hp, Mazda’s lightweight roadster has never been about big numbers. Even so, the current MX-5, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 181 hp, delivers more than enough energy for a car weighing just 2,366 lb.
Still, many Miata fans have always wondered what the car might feel like with six cylinders under the hood.
A Secret Engineering Project In Europe
That question almost became reality. According to Christian Schultze, former head of Mazda’s European research and development division, a group of engineers quietly explored the idea roughly twenty years ago. In an interview with Dutch outlet AutoRAI, Schultze revealed that Mazda engineers built a secret prototype Miata powered by a V6 engine.
The project was never officially approved by the company. Instead, it was a passion project carried out after hours, with engineers attempting to fit a 2.5-liter V6 into the compact engine bay of the small roadster.
The concept echoed the spirit of experimental projects that occasionally reshape automotive history, like the original Volkswagen Golf GTI. Unlike that famous hatchback, however, the V6 Miata never progressed beyond the prototype stage.
Why The V6 Miata Never Happened
The biggest issue turned out to be packaging. The six-cylinder engine simply did not fit cleanly. To make it work, engineers had to mount the engine higher than the standard four-cylinder setup, which negatively affected the car’s proportions and visual balance.
Schultze admitted the prototype was “definitely interesting” to drive, but aesthetics and engineering realities ultimately stopped the project. One of the Miata’s defining traits is its near-perfect weight distribution and nimble front end. Adding a heavier V6 would have shifted too much mass forward, changing the car’s character.
For Mazda, preserving the lightweight, balanced philosophy of the MX-5 mattered more than chasing extra horsepower.
Which Engine Was Used?
Schultze did not specify the exact powerplant, but based on the displacement, many believe it was likely Mazda’s K Series 2.5-liter V6, possibly the KL-ZE. That engine was known for smooth performance and produced around 200 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque in vehicles such as the Japanese market Mazda MX-6 during the 1990s.
If the experiment occurred roughly two decades ago, it likely involved the NC generation MX-5 introduced for 2006. The NC had a slightly larger chassis and engine bay than earlier versions, making it the most realistic candidate for such a swap.
At the time, the standard 2.0-liter NC Miata produced about 170 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. A V6 would have represented roughly a 30 hp increase along with noticeably stronger torque delivery.
Performance Miata Models That Did Make Production
Although the V6 never reached dealerships, Mazda has occasionally offered higher-performance versions of the MX-5. One of the most notable examples is the Spirit Racing Roadster 12R, created by Mazda’s motorsports division.
Limited to just 200 units, the 12R featured a heavily refined naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine rated at 197 hp, making it the most powerful factory-built Miata ever sold. The model reinforced Mazda’s philosophy that improving balance and responsiveness matters more than simply increasing displacement or cylinder count.
Staying True To The Miata Formula
The hidden V6 experiment is a fascinating reminder that Mazda did consider pushing the MX-5 into new territory. Yet the decision to abandon the project also explains why the Miata has remained so successful.
Rather than chasing raw performance, Mazda doubled down on the formula that made the roadster iconic in the first place: low weight, excellent balance, simple mechanical purity, and an engaging driving experience.
The idea of a six-cylinder Miata might sound exciting, but in the end, preserving the car’s lightweight soul mattered more. And for many enthusiasts, that may be exactly why the MX-5 continues to endure as one of the purest driver’s cars on the market.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.