TVR completely blindsided the automotive world with its announcement that it would participate in sponsoring two Formula E events. Alongside this unexpected announcement was the news that the long-awaited TVR Griffith will receive an electric powertrain as a result of the company partnering with South American lithium mining firm, Ensorcia Metals.
TVR reemerged from the shadows of the automotive industry as a revitalised and reinvigorated manufacturer with a fire in its belly and a new car on the way. The TVR Griffith was unveiled as far back as 2017. Since then, we haven’t seen one in the flesh. In the four years since then, we’ve had nothing from the Ebbw Vale-based automaker until recently.
The firm’s upcoming two-seater coupe/convertible will feature a Ford sourced 5,0-litre V8 power plant that will likely be naturally aspirated – a rarity today’s age of forced induction. TVR claims that the Griffith’s heart will result in a “class-leading” 298kW per tonne power-to-weight ratio that is sent to the rear wheels. It gets better! The Griffith will employ a six-speed manual gearbox with unique drivetrain elements such as a custom clutch and flywheel that will be mated to the beefy heart of the car.
The unveiled car from 2017, now dubbed the Launch edition, allegedly had a kerb weight of less than 1250 kg and boasted a power figure of 367 kW. The entirety of the car was designed around Gordon Murray Design’s iStream process which aids in creating a lightweight, rigid, and safe vehicle.
While production of the petrol-powered variant will begin next year, the electrified Griffith might only see the light of day sometime within 2024. The all-electric TVR was confirmed after the announcement of the firm partnering with Ensorcia Metals, which, as TVR Chairperson, Les Edgar put it, will “ensure the supply chain of TVR’s future battery requirements.”
Little information was given regarding the company’s electric vehicle future, but there has been confirmation from Edgar himself that the company will move in a direction that brings the TVR marque into the “net-zero business” sector.
Those of us that are enthusiastic about owning a fuel-guzzling Griffith will need to place a deposit of approximately R83 800. According to Edgar, the ICE Griffith variant will begin delivery from the fourth quarter of 2023.
