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# The least popular Mazda MX-5 was almost the most unique
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/mazda-mx5-v6-swap-2000s-nc/
- Published: 2026-02-25T19:00:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-03T05:37:11.000Z
- Description: The Mazda MX-5 has stuck to a simple recipe since 1989: four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive and two doors… but one of those ingredients almost changed.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, Performance

Since the arrival of the Mazda MX-5 almost four decades ago, it has stuck to a familiar and popular formula, once the basis of the British sports car scene.

From the factory, all MX-5s have featured four-cylinder engines driving the rear wheels, with either a manual or automatic transmission in between - however the idea of a V6 was once not just a dream, but nearly became reality.

Speaking to Dutch outlet [*AutoRAI*](https://autorai.nl/interview-opvolger-mazda-mx-5/??ref=torquecafe.com)*,* Christian Schultze, Mazda Europe’s director of research and operations, said two decades ago the brand’s engineers had shoehorned a V6 under the bonnet of the MX-5, though it never made it to production.

“A 2.5-litre engine sounds appealing, I understand,” Schultze said when asked about speculation the next-generation MX-5 will get a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine.

![](https://torquecafe.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mazda-mx-5-nc-1.jpg)

“But interestingly enough, we already tried something like this about twenty years ago. Back then, our engineers built a prototype with a 2.5-litre V6 in their spare time. They did it here in the workshop, purely out of enthusiasm.

“Technically, it was a fascinating project. The problem, however, was the packaging. The engine didn’t fit well under the hood; it was simply too high. The result wasn’t visually appealing.

“But in terms of the driving experience, it was definitely interesting. That shows that the idea itself isn’t new.”

![](https://torquecafe.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mazda-mx-5-nc-2.jpg)

The timeline of 20 years ago places the development of a V6-powered MX-5 around the time of the launch of the third-generation ‘NC’ model, which went into production in 2005.

As the heaviest MX-5 to that point, and the first not based on the same chassis as the original model, it was criticised for being a downgrade in the lineage of the model line, a point which was only hammered home when Mazda went back to basics with the current ‘ND’.

Schultze didn’t mention what V6 engine was fitted to the MX-5, though Mazda had a few in its lineup at the time.

> [How Mazda plans to keep the MX-5 alive for “as long as possible”](https://torquecafe.com/how-mazda-plans-to-keep-the-mx-5-alive-for-as-long-as-possible/)

Ultimately, it never came to fruition, with his description of the aesthetics and driving experience providing insights as to why Mazda never strayed from the successful MX-5 formula.

That hasn’t stopped owners making changes thanks to the aftermarket though, with V6 swaps in early MX-5s not overly rare, either choosing Mazda engines or those from other brands.

As reported earlier this week, Schultze said it’s possible the next generation MX-5 will get hybrid assistance to meet more stringent emissions standards.