Tuesday 25th May 2004

Marcos TSO

New Chevy powered rumbler from Marcos

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Marcos signalled a strong new approach to car development today with the debut of the Marcos TSO. Styled by Damian McTaggart who designed the Cerbera and Tuscan, the new Marcos comes in two guises. The basic car uses a 350bhp Chevrolet V8 hooked up to a five speed gearbox. The TSO R/T uses a 400bhp version of the engine coupled to a six speed gearbox.

 

 

Part of Marcos's new approach has seen the introduction of Prodrive as chassis engineers on the project. Marcos have also taken up production space near Prodrive's Warwickshire headquarters allowing further development on Prodrive's dedicated test track.

Pricing is very much in Noble and TVR territory with the TSO priced at £39,950 and the R/T at £44,950.

Although overlapping with the current TS250 and TS500 the introduction of the new cars should begin a new era. The introduction of characters such as McTaggart and companies such as Prodrive is very significant. Funded and run by Tony Stelliga, the company now has the resources to transform itself into a credible manufacturer producing quality cars.

 

 

Links

• www.marcos-eng.com
• Watch the launch on PistonHeads.TV

[bertie]

Ah ha, got in first...and I like it, in a conservative retro kind of way.

But what's going on with the colour scheme.

Not a radical design but could well pick up where TVR left off with the Griff / Chimaera and there are a lot of people with those who don't like the new TVR generation.

>>> Edited by bertie on Tuesday 25th May 16:49

[bad boy]

wtf is that colour scheme about!?!? so the difference of this and the other new marcos is a corvette V8 instead of a rover V8? i sort of like the looks apart from that colour...

[Boosted LS1]

bad boy said:

wtf is that colour scheme about!?!? so the difference of this and the other new marcos is a corvette V8 instead of a rover V8? i sort of like the looks apart from that colour...

Don't know if you already know that they are using an ls1/6 powerplant with goodies included to up the power a bit. They can do loads with that engine, boost them and they will make getting on for 1000 bhp! Engines a 5.7, all alloy and light years ahead of a rover v8. There is no comparison. LS1/6 powerplants have nothing in common with the iron smallblock chevy's apart from the big end shells. Brand new design for the futureand light weight as well.

[joust]

Hi Mike. How does the engine compare to a Javelin 5V8? The thing I loved about the TS500 when I drove it was the low down torque - made the whole thing a lovely cruisy kind of car, but seriously quick as well.

I'm not planning on changing yet (320bhp in a convertible is more than enough for me!) but interested to hear from someone in the know about the relative "feel" of the two engines.

Thanks,

J

[Boosted LS1]

joust said:

Hi Mike. How does the engine compare to a Javelin 5V8? The thing I loved about the TS500 when I drove it was the low down torque - made the whole thing a lovely cruisy kind of car, but seriously quick as well. I'm not planning on changing yet (320bhp in a convertible is more than enough for me!) but interested to hear from someone in the know about the relative "feel" of the two engines. Thanks, J

Hi Justin,

I can't say as I haven't driven a javelin engine. I know what you like re: low down torque and mega grunt though. It's torque that gets you moving! 2 valve V8's have plenty. I had all that with my 'blown' 5.0 rovers and all under 6k revs and with complete reliability. I ran stock compression and 7-9 psi boost. Very smooth and sweet way to get about but the power is lurking under your right foot when you want it. The LS1 has loads of torque, shed loads and it's effortless. It will rev to over 6k reliably unlike the standard rv8. I have some dyno sheets for a stock ls6 engine tested here in the UK and it's all good reading. When Marcos fit a supercharger or turbo to this car (they will) then watch out. It will take more then Pro-drive to keep it glued to the floor

I have an Eaton 112 for an ls1 here plus turbo heads and custom pistons for my next project but it's slow stuff. I prefer the turbo route, Marcos may go with a s/c. Either way I can't wait but they can't loose IMHO.

[toppstuff]

400 bhp V8 and only about 1100kg.

It will be just awesome.

I really, really want one.

I can imagine having a 2 tone blue and cream paint job like an old Austin Healey ...

[Boosted LS1]

toppstuff said:

400 bhp V8 and only about 1100kg. It will be just awesome. I really, really want one. I can imagine having a 2 tone blue and cream paint job like an old Austin Healey ...

Funny you said that but the paint job reminded me of the classic 3000 healey. I once went in one with a 5.0 mustang in it Bloody awful but that was down to it being 'unfinished'. Did rattle a bit though (the body)and it wouldn't go round corners because the block and heads were iron.

[chrisj]

Finally, the right engine in the right car!
I've been wanting to drop an LS1 into my car for years, it just the small matter of cost and the necessary mods to the chassis to cope with the added grunt.
Having experineced a 340bhp LS1 in a HSV I was HUGELY impressed, and bearing in mind the weight of the HSV is approaching twice that of my little Mantula....

As for the car itself, I really like the nose treatment, it's a proper step forward.
However, and I don't mean to p**s on their parade, it's a shame they didn't revise the back end too.

Best of luck Marcos, I look forward to the road test.

[LuS1fer]

I think it looks way too much like a TVR and you have to wonder just how many sports car the market will take. However, if it handles and rides well (the main stumbling block with most small sports car manufacturers)then it offers a real alternative to the TVR with, dare I say it, a reliable powertrain that is cheap to maintain. I imagine Peter Wheeler is paying close attention.