Despite its appearance as a seemingly ordinary little Mazda MX-5, this Japanese roadster hides an engine that no one would expect to find under its hood: a naturally aspirated V8 from Ferrari 360 Modena. A spectacular transformation carried out by Japanese tuner Kunihiro Oto, who managed to bring together two automotive philosophies that seem to be complete opposites.
In Japan, the Daddy Motorworks shop is no stranger to unlikely engine swaps. But this time, its founder, Kunihiro Oto, took on a particularly ambitious project. At a customer’s request, he spent nearly a year transforming a second-generation Mazda MX-5 (NB) into a one-of-a-kind machine dubbed the «Ferrarimiata.».
The idea seems almost unreasonable: installing the 3.6-liter V8 from a Ferrari 360 Modena into a small Mazda known for its light weight and balance. With 400 HP and a weight of just over one metric ton, the result promises an extraordinary driving experience.
A Ferrari engine, but the soul of a Mazda
The real challenge was to preserve what makes the MX-5 so charming. Rather than creating a monster that would be difficult to control, Kunihiro Oto sought to retain the Japanese roadster’s accessible and playful handling. To achieve this, the intake manifolds were designed to deliberately limit torque at low RPMs. Up to about 4,000 rpm, the car remains relatively docile. But as the revs climb, the Ferrari V8’s character comes out in full force, with a sound that bears no resemblance to that of a Mazda.
The creators of the Ferrarimiata note that the Italian engine weighs only about 30 kg more than the original engine. Removing the air conditioning and relocating certain components to the trunk also helped maintain a weight distribution similar to that of the original roadster. Integrating the V8 required numerous custom modifications. Notably, the engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission from the Toyota GR86, while the cooling system, engine mounts, and exhaust have been adapted.
On the outside, the Ferrarimiata remains surprisingly understated with its light green body, first-generation-inspired retractable headlights, and silver wheels. Only an air intake borrowed from a Subaru Impreza hints that something unusual is hiding under the hood. Inside the cabin, a tachometer from a Ferrari 550 Maranello serves as a reminder of this car’s Italian heritage.
«It's like having two cars in one.»
Automotive YouTuber Dino DC had the chance to get behind the wheel of this creation on Japanese roads, the day after it was approved for road use and registered. His reaction leaves little room for doubt. Surprised by the fierce acceleration and the V8’s revs climbing to 8,000 rpm, he summed up the experience in one sentence: «It's like having two cars in one.»
At low speeds, the Ferrarimiata retains the balance and ease of handling of an MX-5. But as soon as the engine revs up, it reveals a personality worthy of Maranello. The valve-controlled exhaust even allows for a certain degree of discretion when circumstances call for it. With this creation, Kunihiro Oto didn’t just stick a Ferrari engine into a Mazda. He created a roadster that strives to combine the best of both worlds: Japanese lightness and the explosive temperament of an Italian V8. We love it!
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The report itself is good, but this is NOT the second generation (NB) of the MX-5. As can be seen in the photos, the first generation (NA) of the MX-5 was used. The first generation (NA) is the only one with pop-up headlights and the old Mazda logo.