Marcos TSO GT2
Wooden chassis, V8 Rover engines and British Leyland parts. The original Marcos cars, produced in a metal hut in Wiltshire, had a Britishness few rivals could match. The problem was the fibreglass-bodied machines also had a roughness without equal, and the company soon fell on hard times.
It's nice to see a resurrected firm on the right track, particularly one with Marcos' heritage. If your next £50,000 sports car has to be British, then the TSO GT2 is well worth considering. Niche vehicle manufacturing is a really tough business, and customers at this level expect the best - but the GT2 is a step in the right direction.
Wooden chassis, V8 Rover engines and British Leyland parts. The original Marcos cars, produced in a metal hut in Wiltshire, had a Britishness few rivals could match. The problem was the fibreglass-bodied machines also had a roughness without equal, and the company soon fell on hard times.
But with a new owner - Canadian Tony Stelliga - comes fresh hope and a great looking car. Based on a spaceframe chassis, the Marcos TSO GT2 promises to right the wrongs of past models. It is a bold claim, but the early impressions are extremely promising.
The bodies are still fibreglass, yet the neat leather and aluminium trim inside is a far cry from past cars. Even rarely seen details such as the boot hinges are given an architectural feel - it all adds to the sense of depth in quality.
However, the cockpit itself is quite small, and getting in is far from easy, thanks to the wide door sills and deep bucket seats. But it is worth the effort because once settled, the chairs provide a snug environment. The TVR-style instruments look great, enhanced by LEDs which light up when air-con and vent buttons are pressed.
Under the bonnet lurks a tuned 475bhp 5.7-litre V8 mated to a slick-shifting six-speed gearbox - basically the same powertrain that appeared in the previous-generation Corvette. A well proven engine, it roars noisily into life, but at idle feels more refined than the restless straight-six in TVR's Sagaris. Still, it lacks none of that unit is edge when you touch the throttle.
With such a big powerplant in a car weighing only 1,150kg, performance is immense. Yet despite its huge potential, the GT2 is surprisingly docile if driven gently. Supple suspension soaks up the worst of pot-holed roads and overall the Marcos feels quite refined.
It is a different story on the test track. With 475bhp available, the car will sprint from 0-60mph in four seconds, but it is the acceleration between 60 and 80mph that's most impressive. The brakes are sharp and reduce the speed quickly, although the pedal feel is a little soft. The steering is not over-sensitive, and proves accurate and well weighted. Rather unusually, company boss Stelliga had Mazda's MX-6 as a handling benchmark - despite that, it has not undermined the set-up.
However, the car is not above criticism, and at £49,995 the GT2 is expensive. It is not particularly well equipped, either; air-conditioning is not even included as standard. Sales predictions are modest, though, as Stelliga hopes to shift around 65 cars a year. Early signs are promising; demand for the GT2 has already created a waiting list.
