TVR already sold out until 2018

TVR says its born-again sports car, which so far remains unseen, is completely sold out until 2018 after 250 customers placed $10,000 deposits in just six weeks.

Announcing its entire 2017 allocation has now gone, the revived British car-maker says the order book remains open but first deliveries of its next batch of its untitled sports car will now begin in 2018.

In June, TVR confirmed it was working on a new car in collaboration with Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth Engineering, causing a rush of buyers to place deposits despite a complete lack of information on the British  car-maker’s first car in almost a decade.

Commenting on the surge of deposits, Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR, said: “This is a heart-warming situation we find ourselves in. We are mindful that we have taken deposits from customers who have not even yet seen official pictures of the car. We look forward to revealing more details soon, and to all our customers who have shown their faith I can promise that the new car will exceed expectations in every way.”

Once the first 250 cars are delivered in 2017, TVR is expected to rapidly ramp up volumes to meet demand, possibly increasing its production to as much as 1000-1500 units per year.

TVR has already revealed that, following the launch of its first Cosworth V8-powered sports car, it will produce a further four different models over 10 years, reestablishing itself on the sports car scene following a nine-year absence after production stopped at its former factory in Blackpool.

Currently TVR has its HQ just outside of London but is has been reported that it is already on the lookout for a new manufacturing base within the UK.

British magazine Autocar has reported an insider as confirming the new TVR will share its dimensions with the mid-2000s Tuscan and Sagaris (pictured) and will be lightweight, but will share nothing with the previous range of cars.

What has been confirmed is the new model will be built using new construction methods and made using Gordon Murray’s patented iStream production method that can incorporate all manufacturing in a fraction of the space of a usual car plant.

Like Murray’s stillborn smart-rivalling T25 and T27 concepts, the big coupe is thought to employ a platform construction that uses large-diameter tubes and ultra-light bonded composite panels. Extra aluminium will be used to increase chassis stiffness and rigidity.

TVR is believed to be focusing on a target kerb weight of just 1100kg.

The new TVR will have a front/mid-mounted engine and a six-speed manual gearbox with all-independent suspension and what Autocar says is a “driver-focused” interior.

It’s not known which V8 engine Cosworth Engineering will specially develop for the TVR, although rumour has it that Ford’s 5.0-litre V8 is most likely and should provide a reliable 340kW.

With a low kerb weight expect the new sports car to hit 100km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and top out at around 320km/h.

For the first time in its history (thanks to EU legislation) the TVR will come with both anti-lock brakes and stability control that could offer a ‘sport’ or ‘track’ mode.

Pricing is also a big unknown, although behind the scenes TVR is said to want to keep its first car in almost a decade “accessible”. Expect the range to kick off around $120,000.

It’s too early to say if the new TVR will be available in Australia.