Performance Review: Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Marcos Mantis Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Marcos Mantis has a 2498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Mantis shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mantis's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1450 kgs (3196 lbs) this makes the Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Marcos Mantis shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2498cc 12V St6 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 158 lb-ft (214.2 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Marcos Mantis you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS (128.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Marcos Mantis.

The Marcos Mantis has a Power to weight ratio of 103.4 bhp per ton and 108.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Mantis competing with the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS (128.3 bhp per ton) or the 1980 Saab 99 2.0L Turbo (128.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Marcos Mantis generating around 108.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Vauxhall-Opel Monza GSE 3.0 (133.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 (133.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mantis and the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6

When talking about the performance of the Marcos Mantis on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.41 secs @ 78.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 (17.34 secs), the 2010 Land-Rover Evoque 2.0 Si4 (17.35 secs), and the 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (17.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Mantis equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Mantis Rivals List.

A Brief History of Marcos

Car Comparison