TSO GT2 testdrive by EVO
Discussion
[quote=EVO]Marcos TSO GT2
Mechanically simple and hugely quick, the new Marcos coupe could take over from where TVR has left off
A while back, Jethro Bovingdon introduced the Marcos TSO R/T roadster as 'one of those cars that you desperately want to drive...' This was because it had a big engine up front driving the rear wheels and it was light and simple. He was right on the money, of course, and I doubt you'll find an enthusiast anywhere to disagree. But the fact that he said it at all implies the breed is becoming rarer. The key words are 'light' and 'simple'- which rather rules out the biggest Astons, Ferraris and Mercedes - and then if you factor in the phrase 'for less than fifty grand' you have even less choice. When I last flicked through the back pages, there was the Marcos and the left-hand-drive-only Corvette and Viper and that was about it. TVRs are still very much around but they don't have a really big engine and they aren't really all that simple any more.[/quote]
[pic]http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_41/car_portal_pic_20957.jpg[/pic]
Read the rest of the article here http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/58805/marcos_tso_gt2.html
Mechanically simple and hugely quick, the new Marcos coupe could take over from where TVR has left off
A while back, Jethro Bovingdon introduced the Marcos TSO R/T roadster as 'one of those cars that you desperately want to drive...' This was because it had a big engine up front driving the rear wheels and it was light and simple. He was right on the money, of course, and I doubt you'll find an enthusiast anywhere to disagree. But the fact that he said it at all implies the breed is becoming rarer. The key words are 'light' and 'simple'- which rather rules out the biggest Astons, Ferraris and Mercedes - and then if you factor in the phrase 'for less than fifty grand' you have even less choice. When I last flicked through the back pages, there was the Marcos and the left-hand-drive-only Corvette and Viper and that was about it. TVRs are still very much around but they don't have a really big engine and they aren't really all that simple any more.[/quote]
[pic]http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_41/car_portal_pic_20957.jpg[/pic]
Read the rest of the article here http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/58805/marcos_tso_gt2.html
Read it too.
The bit that really sticks in my head is how it follows on from the olde TVR V8's (one of which I have) as the thing (at the time) was the huge engine. If a 5 litre TVR typically has just under 300bhp, then 485bhp is just
Marcos really have taken over the place of if you fancy something traditional and a bit bonkers...
The bit that really sticks in my head is how it follows on from the olde TVR V8's (one of which I have) as the thing (at the time) was the huge engine. If a 5 litre TVR typically has just under 300bhp, then 485bhp is just
Marcos really have taken over the place of if you fancy something traditional and a bit bonkers...
Good review.
Spanks the Sagaris in a straight line, cornering speed and traction out of the twists. Pretty impressive stuff. I was very surprised at the silly amount traction my TVR use to have exiting bends.
The only thing that puts me off is the mention of a small cabin, (I'm only interested in the TSO and hope the convertible doesn't share the same issues) and the dials in the centre of the dash, have to a get GPS system for the speedo
Spanks the Sagaris in a straight line, cornering speed and traction out of the twists. Pretty impressive stuff. I was very surprised at the silly amount traction my TVR use to have exiting bends.
The only thing that puts me off is the mention of a small cabin, (I'm only interested in the TSO and hope the convertible doesn't share the same issues) and the dials in the centre of the dash, have to a get GPS system for the speedo
bumcrack said:
Good review.
Spanks the Sagaris in a straight line, cornering speed and traction out of the twists. Pretty impressive stuff. I was very surprised at the silly amount traction my TVR use to have exiting bends.
The only thing that puts me off is the mention of a small cabin, (I'm only interested in the TSO and hope the convertible doesn't share the same issues) and the dials in the centre of the dash, have to a get GPS system for the speedo
The TSO is much bigger in the cabin. I know, I've driven both, and I preferred the TSO. The GT2 is more "bijou", but much of that feeling comes from the very low upper windscreen line, which will be higher on the production models, and the slightly gloomy impression given by not a lot of glass behind the drivers seat.
Believe me, the central instruments aren't a big thing, I got used to them in no time. The TSO has a useful, if not massive (by Griff standards) boot, but handles and stops a lot better. The engine is a little too quiet for my taste, but Tony has told me it sounds much better now compared to August when I drove it.
Ah, the man himself!
Thanks for the input.
Is the ride any different in the TSO to the GT2, The ride in my Tamora and in the T350 I drove recently was crap, hard work doing 50 mph on country lanes, put me off TVR until the ride is sorted out. How does the ride quality compare in your opinion, is it really useable day to day or is a bit to hardcore and incompliant over the standard UK B road
Thanks for the input.
Is the ride any different in the TSO to the GT2, The ride in my Tamora and in the T350 I drove recently was crap, hard work doing 50 mph on country lanes, put me off TVR until the ride is sorted out. How does the ride quality compare in your opinion, is it really useable day to day or is a bit to hardcore and incompliant over the standard UK B road
bumcrack said:
is it really useable day to day or is a bit to hardcore and incompliant over the standard UK B road
Marcos have deliberately kept the standard suspension fairly soft to give a comfortable ride over normal roads and long distances. Certainly no problems on the country roads around Marcos' base when I tested it for PH.
grahambell said:
is it really useable day to day or is a bit to hardcore and incompliant over the standard UK B road
Marcos have deliberately kept the standard suspension fairly soft to give a comfortable ride over normal roads and long distances. Certainly no problems on the country roads around Marcos' base when I tested it for PH.
I agree completely. The ride is very comfortable, suiting it's "GT" design. Your long term comfort is going to depend more on the amount of padding you request for the seats, which is on the firm side of solid in the GT2 at present. I would say that as a day-to-day car, it's better than my Griff, but I would have to have a longer term test to check stuff like fuel consumption, range, parking etc. The instruments have been angled towards the driver, I understand, and a few other tweaks done. I shall be able to report more when I've had a chance to drive the car again, which I'm REALLY looking forward to.
grahambell said:You can order it with two different packs now, Sports and Touring (might have the names wrong), one includes aircon and additional sound-proofing, the other gives the 475bhp engine version harder adjustable suspension, so you can have a balls-out or chill-out version depending on your taste.
Marcos have deliberately kept the standard suspension fairly soft to give a comfortable ride over normal roads and long distances. Certainly no problems on the country roads around Marcos' base when I tested it for PH.
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