TVR back from the dead

TVR has announced it will begin making cars again in 2017 and go back to its roots by manufacturing a ‘classic British sportscar’ powered by a V8.

The former Blackpool-based car-maker made the announcement overnight in a press release that said it had recruited ex-Formula One engineer and McLaren F1 creator, Gordon Murray, to design and engineer a powerful V8-powered sportscar.

So far the details are light on the ground but UK auto website www.autocar.co.uk has confirmed former F1 engine supplier, Cosworth, has also been commissioned to engineer a new dry-sump, normally aspirated, V8 engine - possibly sourced from Ford or GM origin, but with at least 330kW.

TVR also confirmed its first new car in nearly a decade will be a ‘classic British sportscar’ and be front-engined, rear-wheel drive with a manual transmission.

Following the launch of what’s being mooted as a natural Tuscan-replacement, at least three other TVRs will follow.

The car-maker also said the new sportscar will follow in the firm’s tradition of building cars with a ‘composite ground effect aero chassis.’ This means, instead of a carbon tub the new sportscar will be built around a tubular spaceframe chassis with composite panels expected to be made from carbon fibre, rather than the fibreglass old TVRs were once made with.

Speaking about his involvement in bringing back TVR, Gordon Murray said: “TVR is an iconic brand which has been an important part of British sports car manufacturing for many decades. Its return to manufacturing is an exciting development and the car deserves the best chassis and powertrain that can possibly be delivered.

Built at an all-new new plant the new sportscar will be assembled using Murray’s iStream production method that streamlines how vehicles are made and enables a car to be built in just 20% of the space a conventional car plant would need.

Prices for the new range of TVRs have been described as “take up where the previous range left off” that could mean the first TVR in a decade will costs around half as much as an Audi R8, with pricing potentially dipping below $200,000.