The Marcos TSO was the last road car from Marcos, built between 2004 and 2007 with a Chevrolet V8 and chassis engineering by Prodrive. Only a handful were completed before the company went into administration in October 2007.
Marcos TSO at a glance
| Maker | Marcos |
|---|---|
| Production | 2004–2007 |
| Engine | 5.7-litre Chevrolet LS1 V8 |
| Power | 350 bhp (261 kW) or 400 bhp (298 kW) |
| Chassis engineering | Prodrive |
| TSO GT | 2004, Australian market |
| TSO GT2 | 2005, European market |
| Top Gear lap | 1:28.2, driven by Richard Hammond |
| TSO GTC | 2006, 420 bhp |
| Performance Pack | 462 bhp; 0–60 mph in 4.1 s |
| Top speed, GTC | over 185 mph (298 km/h) |
| Road cars built | five or six, some incomplete |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Marcos TSO
A British body with an American engine
The TSO was designed in England with its components CAD designed and chassis engineering carried out by Prodrive. Power came from the 5.7-litre Chevrolet Corvette LS1 V8 in either 350 bhp or 400 bhp form. In 2004 the TSO GT was announced for the Australian market, and in 2005 it was joined by the GT2 for Europe.
On Top Gear
The TSO GT2 was tested on the British motoring show Top Gear by Richard Hammond in an episode broadcast in December 2005. Hammond broadly praised the car as a mix of an American muscle car and a traditional British sports car, though he criticised its reliability and its tendency to oversteer. It completed a lap of the test track in 1:28.2.
GTC and the end
In 2006 Marcos announced the TSO GTC, a modified version with racing suspension, racing brakes and a rear diffuser, still with a Chevrolet V8 of 420 bhp. A 462 bhp Performance Pack was also offered, bringing the 0–60 mph time to 4.1 seconds and the 0–100 mph time to 8.5 seconds. With 340 mm AP Racing brakes the car managed a 0–100–0 time of 12.9 seconds, a 50–70 mph time of 2.1 seconds and a top speed above 185 mph.
Marcos Engineering Ltd went into administration on 9 October 2007. Only five or six road cars had been produced, some of them incomplete, and the TSO closed the history of the marque that had begun with the Marcos GT in 1964.
Design and features
- Chevrolet V8: a 5.7-litre LS1 engine in 350 or 400 bhp tune, and 420 bhp in the GTC.
- Prodrive engineering: the chassis was developed with the British motorsport firm.
- Top Gear tested: a 1:28.2 lap and praise for its mix of American power and British handling.
- GTC chassis: racing suspension, racing brakes and a rear diffuser for the 2006 version.
Marcos TSO versions
- TSO GT (2004): the original car, for Australia only.
- TSO GT2 (2005): European version tested by Top Gear.
- TSO GTC (2006): racing suspension, 420 bhp and a rear diffuser.
- GTC Performance Pack: 462 bhp and a 12.9-second 0–100–0 time.
The TSO came after the Mantara and the racing LM600, and was the last road car to wear the name of the company behind the Marcos GT. More cars are in the Marcos collection.
Sources
- Marcos TSO, English Wikipedia: engines, models, performance, Top Gear lap
