Tuesday 28th June 2005

FoS from inside the cockpit

Graham Bell reports on a run in the Marcos TSO GT2

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Marcos burnout in front of Goodwood House

While anyone who attends Goodwood Festival Of Speed has the opportunity to photograph fast cars going up the famous hill from the outside, there aren’t many people who get the chance to photograph a fast car going up it from the inside.

Well I’m now privileged to count myself among them thanks to Marcos boss Tony Stelliga, who offered me the chance for a run up the hill in the new 475bhp Marcos GT2 coupe unveiled earlier in the month at Motorexpo.

Unfortunately he wasn’t foolish enough to actually let me drive it (obviously remembers watching me driving the TSO…).  No, that task was left to Marcos’ newly appointed test driver Yelmer Buurman, who’s proven himself a talent to be reckoned with in this year’s British Formula Renault Championship by winning the Oulton Park round preceding Goodwood.

On this occasion Yelmer was happy to run at the back of the field, the Marcos running last of the supercars on their final run on Sunday. There are no timed runs for this group of course, so Yelmer could have some fun with the car and put on a show for the crowd.

This mainly consisted of regularly stopping the car and using all of that 475bhp to turn as much of the rear tyres as possible into rubber smoke while Yelmer either deliberately got the back end fishtailing or held the car on the steering for long, sideways burnouts.

Maybe not the fastest way up (or down) the hill, but the applause it drew from both spectators and marshalls made it obvious that they loved it.

Consequently I can’t give you a dynamic account of what it’s like doing a quick run up Goodwood’s hill (too busy trying to hold the camera steady to take notes anyway) but I can tell you that when it wasn’t burning rubber, the GT2 felt every bit as fast as you’d expect an 1150kg, 475bhp car to feel.

I can also tell you that all the indications are that this new coupe is making people sit up and take notice of Marcos in a way they haven’t done for a long time – possibly since the debut of the Dennis Adams coupe in 1963.

Needless to say, PistonHeads will be bringing you a full feature very soon.

All photos by Graham Bell.

[guydw]

I chatted to the Marcos guys and was impressed by them and the car - I reckon it is a good alternative to a TVR, and frankly think it is much more attractive than the newer Tivs - I really hope it does well.... I will be counting my pennies in the near future ...

[nickytwohats]

My guess is that Nightmare will have one on order by now...

Nightmare?

[Davey S1]

I didnt like it. It looks too much like the Bristol Fighter which I dont like at all.

[Prof Pat Pending]

I also spoke to Marcos staff at the FOS and was impressed. The quality in the finish seems better than the TVR's including the newer models. The car looks much better in the flesh and sounds fantastic. Some people who drive tvr's will be very interested in either the Coupe or te slightly cheaper convertable.Serious punters are invited to test drive the car on Marcos's own test track. They must think they have a winner!!
I know some phers have already placed deposits. Joust for example. I hope e wont mind me saying as i think its now public knowledge. Dont think i will able to hold out much longer especially if it drive as well as it sounds!!

[joust]

You are quite correct, I've ordered one as a follow on to the TS500.

I just didn't find there was enough power in the TS500 having recently moved from the M12 to the M400 (everything gets relative doesn't it!), and the attraction of the prodrive chassis and the stonking power of that engine (much much more is available with many tested tuning kits) coupled with the stupidly low price convinced me.

If ever there was a car that embodies the whole british V8 sports car, this surely is it???

J

[Prof Pat Pending]

I agree. I fell in love with the car when i saw the first press pics of the roadster. then the GT2 and that was enough to ake me stand up and take notice. Then came the FOS and that was it. I Just have to work out what options i should have. The FOS GT2 was about 56K with the options fitted.
Got the brochures but cannot get the link to work with the pricing using their default password.
Perhaps "Joust" may be able with a few simple Q's
Can you spec the roadster to the 475bhp option? My guess would be no!
How long do you anticipate for delivery?

If this car had not come along i would defintely have gone down the M400 route. I know you enjoy yours so much. Still not entitely sure that i have ruled that option out yet!
Thanks in advance.

[joust]

Prof Pat Pending said:

Can you spec the roadster to the 475bhp option? My guess would be no!

Everything is possible, at a price

Prof Pat Pending said:

How long do you anticipate for delivery?

I'm taking it as a birthday pressie to myself, so mine will be May next year. Deliveries of the standard GT2 start in November, so if you get in now you could be a Dec / Jan car, but "slots" are going very very fast

Prof Pat Pending said:

If this car had not come along i would defintely have gone down the M400 route. I know you enjoy yours so much. Still not entitely sure that i have ruled that option out yet! Thanks in advance.

Me - I'm going for both, and still not 100% decided what I'll do with the M400 when the M14 comes out. I might chop it in, I might keep all 3. Choices choices

J

[Prof Pat Pending]

spoke to Simon at FOS, (Nice chap). he told me that press car/s for the M14 are out this October so you wont have to wait too long after that i guess.
Back on topic i would want to take delivery about June next year. I take it that would be possible.
Had a look on DVLA for reg numbers yet?
Unfortunately te 06 numbers are not out yet. Oh and am i right in saying that the 6 litre drive train will be introduced soon?
Nice pics by the way. Toss up between you and Ed Hasler who gets the vote!!

[joust]

Talk to the factory about delivery dates - I haven't a clue where they are now.

JOU5T will be going on the car, so I've not bothered looking.

There is the "LS7" engine variant out soon, but AFAIK there isn't really that much benifit in moving as it's more about the "emissions" side improvements than anything else?

J

[joust]

On the pics - gutted I didn't win

J

[Prof Pat Pending]

There is no clear winner as all views are subjective

[omohat]

joust said:

....There is the "LS7" engine variant out soon, but AFAIK there isn't really that much benifit in moving as it's more about the "emissions" side improvements than anything else? J

You can't be serious about the LS7 only being an emissions improvement! The LS7 is a totally different beast to what Marcos are using at the moment - 7.0 litres, 505bhp and 470lb ft torque as stock. I'd love to see what Marcos could do with an LS7.

[nightmare]

nickytwohats said:

My guess is that Nightmare will have one on order by now... Nightmare?

I would if I wasn't so broke! You back from hols then dude? hope you had a good time. Left you a message in your absence..think you wanted a chat on something?

This is a lovely looking car. I'm actually really struggling at the moment to work out what to buy car wise....this is definitely more tempting than most - will definietly go and have a drive/play at some point.

Still trying to get a bit more worthwhile info on the Gallardo SV/GT though.

hows the 400brake treating the noble???

Night

[Podie]

Joust - how have you got on with the Marcos...?

(quite fancy one as the next car)

[joust]

From another post

It was an "interesting" time. In fairness it was car number 001, and hence I went in with my eyes wide open to what that means.

Fit and finish is fine, most issues have been to do with air ducting to remove heat and engine mapping, and all of those have been addressed without complaint by the factory. The service has been excellent - picking the car up/dropping it off from home in the evening to fit in with me.

However, the TS500 is not a "nutty" car in the way that the GT2 is - it is more a lazy cruiser. I thought it might make a nice change to have something more relaxed, but found myself hankering after something with more grunt, hence the change.

To keep residual losses for both of us at a minimum the TS500 has gone back (and I secretly think Tony S might want to keep it for himself ) and I'll now wait until late Spring next year to take delivery of the new car as I don't need it over the winter months.

I'd happily recommend any of Marco's cars to anyone - when you meet the people behind it you have total confidence in their skill and ability, plus the service, given they are small, is just like Noble, personal, effective, and always fitting around you.

J

[Podie]

Thanks.

[jellison]

TVR's Balls will be aching very soon - TSO 475 or any of current TVRs - no brainer (Small block Chevy Noise and grunt). Looks really well made.