Marcos' new targa: official pics
Solid engineering and design for a top drive
  Marcos TSO GTC |
We've covered the new Marcos TSO R/T targa top extensively this week -- but just for the record, here at the official pictures Marcos issued to accompany the launch of the car -- and lovely it is too, to our eyes.
You may disagree of course....
Oily bits
The TSO GTC is a classic British race-inspired two-seat sports coupé that comes with racing suspension, racing brakes and a rear diffuser, and priced at £49,950.
The TSO R/T -- a targa -- delivers open top driving with dual removable roof panels. It comes with touring suspension, cargo nets and premium sound and is priced at £53,950.
Both models come standard with a 420bhp aluminium V8 and a six-speed manual gearbox. A 462bhp performance pack is also available. TSOs are being delivered this summer to Marcos dealers.
“The TSO’s combination of tuned V8 power and lightweight design delivers both stunning performance and breathtaking sound in a reliable, precision-engineered and affordable British supercar”, said Marcos boss Tony Stelliga.
Professional engineering
The TSO is professionally engineered, with composites and components CAD designed and fabricated in England. The chassis is engineered and manufactured by Prodrive, a leading developer of motorsport chassis and race cars that have earned five British Touring Car Championships and six World Rally titles.
Designed to be lightweight and responsive, the TSO inspires confidence and is communicative up to and beyond the limit. The TSO is reliable - with the same proven V8 Engine and drivetrain components found in the Corvette and Monaro. Induction, exhaust and electronics modifications by Marcos further enhance the TSO’s drivability and performance.
The TSO is a performer – a lightweight composite body, space frame chassis and V8 engine provide an impressive power-to-weight ratio. With the Performance Pack the TSO accelerates to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and to 100 mph in 8.5 seconds. Huge 340mm AP Racing brakes deliver a 0-100-0 time of 12.9 seconds. Overtaking is effortless with a 50 to 70 mph time of just 2.1 seconds. Top speed is over 185 mph.
Marcos Engineering is based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England - the heart of the British motorsport industry. This year the company celebrates its 47th anniversary of building exclusive, fun to drive, high performance British sports cars.
It may seem a fair bit of money, but go and have a look at one in the flesh. The amount of thought that has gone into it, and the way it's been designed to be easy for mechanics to work on for servicing, etc, puts it streets ahead of most of the competition, for this amount of money.
The option list is fairly brief, but that means you get most of your "goodies" included in the base price. Don't forget, there are two cars, with two basic packages, then a few tasty bits to add, if you want to.
Performance wise, having spent several hours in the prototype GTO in January, it's a blast, and a reasonably easy to drive blast at that.
maggit
I would also go for the Wiesmann GT V8 that realy is a masterpiece..I LOVE IT though I don't have that kind of money...and the Marcos GTC is a lot cheaper...
GTRene
But what you don't get if you buy a Boxster/Cockster/BMW/Mercedes is the "nice car, mate" and a car that WILL be noticed, and set you aside from the crowd. And that, for most of the people that will be buying thse cars, is a major factor. Quite apart from the fact that the Marcos will out-perform all the cars in your list, and humble many more much more costly vehicles.
But then again, it would be a poorer place if there wasn't the variety available.
I think TVR and Marcos have a place at the 30-40k sector of the marketplace.
As they approach high 40's and in to the 50's then bitter experience has taught me you will get caned come resale time, if indeed you can sell at all.
Why buy this when a Ferrari 355, 996 Turbo, Noble GTO3 could be bought for anything up to 20k less and will hold their money better?
Bennno
I imagine you can pretty much make of it whatever you want. The greysilver one had a classic touch, these two are hip as hell. Almost popstarrish . . . Oe and that Targa . . . in stylish burgundy please.
I imagine you can pretty much make of it whatever you want. The greysilver one had a classic touch, these two are hip as hell. Almost popstarrish . . . Oe and that Targa . . . in stylish burgundy please.
i dont debate if you have millions and this is another toy to sit in the garage its a worthy use of some surplus cash.
why anybody that wants a toy or everyday would buy this over the Noble, 996 Turbo or 355 Ferrari is beyond me.
As above the styling is almost 80% of the way there a few tweaks and it would be stunning. Its almost like the proportions are just slightly wrong somehow - its just not as nice as a t350, Cerb or Griff were when they came out.
Bennno
I imagine you can pretty much make of it whatever you want. The greysilver one had a classic touch, these two are hip as hell. Almost popstarrish . . . Oe and that Targa . . . in stylish burgundy please.
i dont debate if you have millions and this is another toy to sit in the garage its a worthy use of some surplus cash.
why anybody that wants a toy or everyday would buy this over the Noble, 996 Turbo or 355 Ferrari is beyond me.
As above the styling is almost 80% of the way there a few tweaks and it would be stunning. Its almost like the proportions are just slightly wrong somehow - its just not as nice as a t350, Cerb or Griff were when they came out.
Bennno
Why? Probably because its rarer, more practical, cheaper to service and get parts for and won't break down half as much as the above (save possibly the Porsche).
With regard to styling well most Ferraris are pig ugly and Porsches are a far too common shape. As for Noble well they've had plenty of stick over the styling and look how successful their sales have been...
JJ
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