TVR, the former purveyors of quirky, hand-built English sportscars is set for a comeback with a Murray-designed car and a Cosworth engine.
TVR is now owned by a consortium fronted by computer gaming entrepreneur Les Edgar who plan to launch four new TVRs within the next two years. Along with employing the engineering genius of SA-born Gordon Murray (remember, he designed the legendary McLaren F1 road car), TVR has also signed a deal with former F1 engine supplier Cosworth for new V8 engines.
We know that a new TVR has to be better than just good,” said Edgar in a statement. “It has to be outstanding. From the outset we only wanted to work with the best partners in the business, and both Gordon Murray’s and Cosworth’s track records within motor sport and high performance car design and engineering speaks for themselves. Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth are the perfect partners for TVR and together, we will deliver a truly exceptional new car.”
Always known as real driver’s cars, the likes of the Chimaera, Griffith, Cerbera, Tuscan, Tamora and Sagaris were all fearsome to handle when driven hard. The new TVRs will feature the same hallmarks of two-seater simplicity and lightness, although there will be no common components with the old models. The new cars’ construction elements and techniques will be completely different.
According to Autocar magazine, two distinct models but have been designed and are closely related under the skin. They will both be available as coupé and convertible variants. The first car is likely to be a two-seater with a composite ground effect aero chassis and a naturally-aspirated, dry-sump Cosworth V8.
All models will have a front mid-engined layout and feature six-speed manual gearboxes, rear-wheel drive, and all-independent suspension. Production will begin in 2017 in the UK.
