News ID: 89
Publish Date : 25 July 2017 - 14:18

New TVR super coupé will have best power-to-weight ratio in segment

The claimed power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne beats rivals including the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Jaguar F-Type SVR.
TVR’s new sports car, to be revealed at this year’s Goodwood Revival, will boast the highest power-to-weight ratio of any vehicle in its class, according to the company.

Weighing 1200kg and equipped with a 5.0-litre Cosworth-enhanced V8, the model will have a power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne. That figure beats rivals including the Porsche 911 Turbo S and the limited-production Aston Martin Vantage GT8, which offer 364bhp and 293bhp per tonne respectively. The Jaguar F-Type SVR coupé and Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale provide 339bhp and 257bhp per tonne.

Headline figures for the model, which will cost less than £90,000 for the full-house TVR Launch Edition, include a 200mph top speed and a sub-4.0sec 0-60mph time.

TVR claims the car will also be the most compact in its class, measuring 4300mm long (199mm less than a Porsche 911) and 1271mm tall (43mm less than a Jaguar F-Type). Despite these dimensions, the interior "offers levels of comfort and practicality that clearly reflect the manufacturer’s intention that this will be a suitable car for everyday use”, the firm said.

"We have been ambitious and rigorous in establishing performance benchmarks for our new car,” commented John Chasey at TVR Manufacturing. "Our intentions for power-to-weight, size, practicality and quality standards were set high from the very start. We know that the new TVR must be able to compete at the very highest levels, and I’m delighted to say that the car has met or exceeded all of our own, very exacting requirements, hands down.”

Last week, the brand's chairman, Les Edgar, confirmed to Autocar that development of the super coupé is on course despite issues surrounding the location of its new factory at the Circuit of Wales.

One month on from the Welsh government's decision to not guarantee funding for the circuit project, Edgar told Autocar that his company's plans to open a factory near the site at the start of 2018 were unaffected. This will lead to the build of the first pilot car for the new model six months later, with production of the first customer cars starting after that.

The forthcoming public showing at Goodwood Revival follows a series of private reveals for customers who have already placed deposits on the 200mph, front-engined V8 two-seater. For its Goodwood launch, the car will be located in the Earls Court building alongside several classic TVR models, to celebrate the marque's 70th anniversary.

Although still under wraps, we know the new car will be built very much in character with the traditional Blackpool TVRs but entirely new from the ground up. Designer Gordon Murray hosted customers who viewed the car at his HQ near Guildford, Surrey.

An earlier preview picture (below) shows one of the car's tailpipes, which are located behind the front wheels (as shown in the Autocar rendering in the gallery). The car that's shown in September won't be in production specification, but will feature parts that will end up on the final car.

The display will remain static because Goodwood Revival rules dictate that only cars made before 1966 can run or do demonstrations on circuit.

Edgar said: "It’s the first time a global launch of a new car has occurred at this event, and it seems an entirely appropriate place for us to do it, with the marque’s motorsport heritage and an enthusiastic audience of dedicated car fans – and in our 70th anniversary year.

"After a series of secret private viewings organised for the benefit of existing customers for the new car, we know that we have a surefire hit on our hands, and very much look forward to seeing the public reaction in September."

A spokesman said that orders for the first 500 Launch Edition cars have almost sold out, meaning order books for this first run could close at Goodwood.



Source: autocar.co.uk