Miata Debuts With 13 Rotors at SEMA
Rob Dahm showed a Mazda Miata built with a 12-rotor engine and a single-rotor engine at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Performance Vehicles
Rob Dahm debuted a Miata fitted with 13 rotors at the 2026 SEMA Show, with Haltech sponsoring the build and asking him to bring a creation to its booth. The car pairs a 12-rotor engine up front with a separate single-rotor engine that handles propulsion, and it runs under its own power.
Why it matters
The build pushes rotary engine packaging and forced induction well beyond conventional setups, showing what custom fabrication can achieve. It also highlights how aftermarket sponsors like Haltech use show builds to spotlight their products.
The single-rotor engine uses a Garrett GBC22 turbocharger, and the 12-rotor engine has a claimed output of 4,500 horsepower. Three turbochargers were added at roughly 70 pounds each, and the figure has not been independently verified.
The players
Rob Dahm
Rob Dahm is a builder known for custom rotary-engine projects who created the 13-rotor Miata.
Haltech
Haltech is an aftermarket engine management and electronics manufacturer that sponsored the build and asked Dahm to bring a creation to its SEMA booth.
The details
Custom mounts were built from scratch and triangulated into the chassis to resist side-to-side wobble and teeter-totter motion. Wiring, fuel lines, and accessories were kept on the 12-rotor engine so it looks functional, while the 12-rotor engine is not connected to the drivetrain.
Timeline
November 3 through 6, 2026: The 2026 SEMA Show runs in Las Vegas with the build on display.
November 3, 2026: Rob Dahm's debut of the 13-rotor Miata.
Roadmap
Mazda's rotary engine, which powered production RX-7 and RX-8 models, has long been a niche platform for enthusiasts and tuners. This build pushes that heritage into multi-rotor, multi-turbo territory that the factory never offered.
This build is a one-off show car and is not available for purchase or street use. Enthusiasts looking to add forced induction to a rotary platform should weigh the cost, cooling, and reliability tradeoffs against conventional tuning options.
The takeaway
Custom builds like this show how far aftermarket fabrication can stretch a platform, but they remain experimental. Readers interested in performance upgrades should focus on proven modifications that suit their own vehicle and budget.
Further reading
For more on high-output builds, explore Performance Vehicles coverage.
