Monaco

Details

Limited Name

Engine Size

Torque

Maximum BHP

0 - 62

1,598

88 bhp @ 6500 rpm

10.6 Secs

Colour Availability

British Racing Green (BRG)

Numbers Made

450

Manufacture Date

May 1996 - January 1997

Cost When New

£13,750

Limited Edition Gift / Souvenir

N/A

What's in the name ?

Named after the famous race circuit around the streets of Monte Carlo, April 14 1929 was the first time a grand prix was held at this prestigious location. Mazda also incorporated the circuits layout on the Monaco's limited edition wing emblem.

A Monaco photo gallery can be seen below, click on any thumbnail to enlarge photo,

use the arrows left/right to view more thumbnails.

Below the original Monaco Mazda sales brochure can be viewed.

Hover over thumbnail for description and click to view full size.

Safety And Driving Equipment Specification

X= Standard O= Optional

ABS Brakes		Electric windows
EBD		Climate Control
Torsen LSD		Air Conditioning
Drivers Air Bag		Leather Seats
Passenger Air Bag		Heated Seats
Side Air Bag		Leather Steering Wheel
Seat Belt Pre-tensioner		Wooden Gear Shift
Traction Control		Wooden Handbrake
Central Locking		Heated Mirrors
Remote Locking		Heated Rear Screen
Immobiliser	x	Heated Front Screen
Electric Aerial		Electric Mirrors
Sports Suspension		Wood Trim
6 speed Gearbox		Aluminium Trim
Shock Tower Brace		Scuff Plates
Cockpit Brace		CD Player
Body Kit		Upgraded Speakers
Rear Spoiler		Alloy Wheels	x
Front Spoiler		Front Fog Lights
Boot Release		High Level Stop Light
Power Steering		Cassette Player	x

General Specification Details

The Monaco is based on a Standard 1.6

Details of the extra equipment fitted to make this limited Edition are listed below.

It is thought that Mazda released the limited edition Merlot and Monaco to try and divert attention away from the then newly released MGF, the Monaco priced at £13,750 was a £2645 saving on the cheapest MGF!

Although the Monaco was basically a base 1.6 model it offered a tan roof that was not normally available on the MX-5.

Alloy wheels were fitted as standard which the base 1.6 would have normally been fitted with steel wheels.

In car entertainment was supplied by the means of a Clarion ARB 017E radio/cassette unit with removable front.

This was a no frills back to basics car that was built to keep costs to a minimum, that does not mean build quality or reliability just the level of equipment.

The 1.6 was also a welcome return with Mazda now concentrating more on the 1.8, but this also helped keep cost down (as well as insurance), but it is worth noting that the 1.6 found in this car and cars of this age were now producing 88bhp instead of the 114bhp that the original 1.6 did in 1989 when the car was first released.

This was done as a marketing exercise to help widen the gap to the 1.8, as Mazda felt the two cars were to similar in performance (114bhp - 138bhp)

The new 88bhp delivered a 0-62mph in 10.6 while maintaining a very healthy 42.2mpg at a steady 56mph.

Not very big on equipment levels but the driving experience is just the same as other MX-5's, simply brilliant !