Marcos Marcasite 2002-present

Marcasite 2002-present Featured Image

Named after a precious metal, the Marcasite was the product of the newly revitalised Marcos Engineering Inc, it was heavily influenced by previous Marcos designs such as the Mantis.

Boasting more cohesive styling than its predecessors, it was powered by a 2.5 litre Ford V6 engine allied to five-speed manual transmission. A rear-wheel drive sportscar from the old school, it featured all-round independent suspension, power-assisted rack and pinion steering and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Credited with some 180bhp and 162lbft of torque, the Marcasite was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and 142mph. Priced at £38,750 in base trim, it went head to head with the Porsche Boxster S but never met its manufacturer's modest production target of fifty cars per year.

In 2002, after a break in production caused by bankruptcy, a new company (Marcos Engineering Ltd) was launched with Jem Marsh as Vice Chairman, and with the financial backing of Canadian Tony Stelliga, to manufacture the Marcasite TS250 with a 2.5-litre 175 bhp (130 kW; 177 PS) Ford V6 followed in 2003 by the 5-litre Rover V8-powered TS500. The 2002 price of the TS250 was £29,744 +VAT, with options such as air-conditioning (£1634), full leather interior (£1626) and Hydratrak differential (£360). Other unpriced options included an elm or walnut veneer dashboard, and a newly designed hard top.