Skip advert
Advertisement

Rotary-engined MX-5

Huge RX-8 engine dropped into MX-5

A German evo reader fed up with the all-round underperformance of the latest Mazda MX-5 has taken the radical step of replacing most of its underpinnings with those of the rotary-engined RX-8.

Stefan Janssen has installed the 228bhp turbocharged engine, six-speed gearbox, brakes and steering from the four-door, four-seater into the little roadster and exhibited his creation at the Essen motor show in late November.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Latest Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 will best the Ferrari F40 on power-to-weight
Rocketeer MX-5
News

Latest Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 will best the Ferrari F40 on power-to-weight

Rocketeer’s been stuffing V6 engines into MX-5s for a few years now. Its operation is now expanding
11 Dec 2025
Mazda MX-5 review – Japan’s lightweight sports car icon endures
Mazda MX-5 front
In-depth reviews

Mazda MX-5 review – Japan’s lightweight sports car icon endures

That the MX-5 still exists in today’s era of huge, heavy electrified cars is a miracle. That it’s better than ever is the cherry on the cake
22 Oct 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf R faces off against Cupra Leon 333 – car pictures of the week
Golf R v Cupra Leon
Features

VW Golf R faces off against Cupra Leon 333 – car pictures of the week

Hot hatches are getting thin on the ground, but the VW stable is still in the game with the Cupra Leon 333 4Drive and Golf R. These are our favourite …
31 Jan 2026
Jaguar GT prototype review – driving 2026’s most controversial car
Jaguar GT prototype – front
Reviews

Jaguar GT prototype review – driving 2026’s most controversial car

Jaguar’s all-electric GT is entering the final stages of testing; we try a prototype in Sweden and find it’s not averse to a little snow-drifting
2 Feb 2026
New Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance review – more aero, still brilliant
Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance
Reviews

New Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance review – more aero, still brilliant

A wilder-looking winged variant of the GR Yaris joins Toyota’s GR range – and the best news is it’s coming to the UK
28 Jan 2026