MARCOS ENGINEERING ANNOUNCES ALLIANCE WITH PRODRIVE

Marcos Engineering Ltd ("Marcos") annouced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Prodrive. The agreement will see Marcos expand operations into Prodrive’s Warwickshire location and the development of new chassis technology for its roadcars.

Prodrive (www.prodrive.com) is one of the world’s leading motorsport and automotive groups with global operations turnover in excess of £110 million and an employee base of nearly 900 in the UK, North America, Germany, Thailand and Australia. Prodrive is the world’s largest independent motorsport business with involvement in various international race and rally series.

Currently, Prodrive runs the Subaru World Rally Team in the World Rally Championship; the Ferrari 550 GTS programme in the Le Mans 24 hours and American Le Mans Series; Ford Performance Racing in the Australian V8 Supercar series; as well as managing the BAR Formula One Team. They currently have six World Rally titles and five British Touring Car Championships to their name.

Through these extensive programs, Prodrive’s engineering group has become a recognised leader in chassis dynamics and next generation active vehicle dynamic systems and powertrains. Marcos and Prodrive are working together to deliver a structurally advanced chassis and suspension for the new Marcos TSO. This involves collaboration on chassis design, analysis and testing, along with vehicle dynamics testing at Prodrive’s test track in Warwickshire.

"We are excited to be working with Marcos on-site and on the new TSO", said Andy Tempest, Managing Director of Automotive Technology at Prodrive. "Chassis dynamics at these performance levels are critical and I believe we have the expertise to collectively deliver an impressive roadcar."

In addition, Marcos Engineering will be expanding operations into their own new 6,000 square foot facility at Prodrives Kenilworth site in Warwickshire. This facility provides a 1.5 mile high performance circuit and one of the few split low grip surfaces in the UK capable of simulating driving under slippery road conditions.

"We are delighted to align with Prodrive," said Tony Stelliga, Chairman of Marcos Engineering, "Their engineering team is world class and having access to that team, a modern development facility and test track is an ideal situation for us at Marcos Engineering".

Marcos’ new TSO will be the first vehicle to benefit from this alliance. The TSO is a high performance, lightweight V8 sportscar that delivers up to 400 HP under current specification. It is on display this week at the Sunday Times Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham.