Autocar - New Typhon Details?

[the pits]

This may illustrate better my point above. It's a mock up ad I did for fun sort of.

Edited by the pits on Thursday 16th November 19:16

[ceejay]

Hmmmm the thing that stands out most to me in this announcement is the 60 car build program to mark the 60th Anniversary. Suddenly TVR wants to celebrate it's heritage with a flagship model whilst getting rid of it's historic UK base and workers. Doesn't add up to me and nor does the price tag. My supercharged 600bhp T350 racer will cost 90K less and look much prettier IMHO.

Ceejay

[sidewayz]

They couldn't build the Typhon and make a profit at £70k. Not my opinion but from a dealer who talked to the guys who built it. £100k sounds about right,£120k is a bit rich.
It may be out of peoples reach but that doesn't make it unfair value.
Can anyone honestly say they would not like to drive a lightweight 600bhp 2+2 that looks as good as the T440?

[shapeshifter]

You lot speak so much negative guff, I'm sick to death with all these crap coomments about TVR, why dont you just say a nice word or two about the brand, I dont blame NS for taking TVR over seas - you have all contributed to the demise of TVR uk - long live TVR europe - If the Typhon is made I want one.

Little story,

My Tuscan 2 is for a service, the courtesy car is a Lotus - its like an old bean can, its made me reasise what a graet car my TUSCAN is, there is no comparison, the Tuscan knocks the spots off the Lotus in every way.

[sidewayz]

Had an Elise for three years. Great little can but what he said.
Time to chill a little perhaps?

[JWS999]

I agree with the comments about TVR needing a sub 40K entry model.
The classic TVR formula just came to an end with all the engine issues etc.

I posted a couple of years ago that if you gave me a £35-40k car that I could reliably drive for 75K miles over three years then I would buy it and use it every day. I can't afford to have that sort of money sat in the garage for weekend driving. Wish I could.

I'll live without ABS and all the other gadgets, put up with a fibre glass car where bits need re glueing from time to time and all the other quirks. I don't even care if you reduce the 0-60 to 4.5 seconds and use some imported small block V8 engine.
What I won't put up with is the worry that the engine may blow and I might have to wait months for it to be fixed. Sorry but 36K miles warranty just doesn't cut it in the 21st Century.

Alternative today is a Cayman S, 5.1 seconds 0-60 and sticks to the road like superglue. 20K miles between service or two years. Alternative is the Boxster if you want soft top.

Sadly it's not a TVR. I hate the P word. But this is one of a number of alternatives for those of us who can't afford weekend only cars.
So go do the maths Mr Smolenski and give me a British car I can be proud of.

[the pits]

shapeshifter said:

You lot speak so much negative guff, I'm sick to death with all these crap coomments about TVR, why dont you just say a nice word or two about the brand, I dont blame NS for taking TVR over seas - you have all contributed to the demise of TVR uk - long live TVR europe - If the Typhon is made I want one.

Little story,

My Tuscan 2 is for a service, the courtesy car is a Lotus - its like an old bean can, its made me reasise what a graet car my TUSCAN is, there is no comparison, the Tuscan knocks the spots off the Lotus in every way.

nice post. Bit harsh about the Lotus though, I personally think they are superb but somehow they are thought to be superior in terms of reliability and build quality yet this is not the case in my experience either. I don't want to knock Lotus but I want to know why strangers approach me and say 'you're brave' 'hope you're not too far from home' etc when this never happened in my Lotus.

[AndrewD]

shapeshifter said:

My Tuscan 2 is for a service, the courtesy car is a Lotus - its like an old bean can, its made me reasise what a graet car my TUSCAN is, there is no comparison, the Tuscan knocks the spots off the Lotus in every way.

LOL

My Radical knocks the spots off my Twingo too

[Namor]

the pits said:

Traction control saves lives for people who can't drive that's for sure. I was in a Beemer with someone who had no idea about either cars or physics. The electronics kept us from certain death several times. I was grateful for them in the passenger seat but from the driving seat they totally got in the way of the driving experience. And ruined it.

996 Turbo in the wet at the nurburgring - ghastly PSM killjoy cuts in violently and feels dreadful but we stay on the black bits. So it works but I wasn't enjoying my lap one bit. Turn it off? Oh dear. That'll be a rear engine then. I thought they 'cured' the 911? And this one had 4wd!!! GT2 owners you have my respect. Rather you than me.

The way modern TVRs put down their large amounts of power in 1100kgs is truly stunning. And not possible without the long travel throttle, high rpm characteristics of the speed six (and relatively low, low-down torque) and engine set far back behind the front wheels (ie inherent balance). For the record this is why my Sagaris was genuinely impressive and stunning to drive round the same wet nurburgring.

My theory is that's also why the Griffith's low down torque party piece that everyone so loves here is also why they have a reputation for being a bit of a handful.

I understand the romance of buying british and in an ideal world we'd all do that. Isn't the reality that some people really don't want the hassle of having to worry about reliability and probably more importantly for many the Porsche purchase is thought to be 'financially prudent' whereas irrespective of whether its true TVR's/Loti' are considered more risky financial propositions. Personally, I think times have changed and many of the more expensive Porsche/Ferrari are now cratering in value eg Carrera GT, or 612

I agree TVR get an unjustifiably bad press re reliability, just like Jag did/still do. but you can't compare the sorts of development testing that Porsche, Ferrari and now Aston go through that TVR could never have previously afforded. eg Sagaris bonnet at speed, blow back when refuelling.

the same is true of handling, TVR's may have inherent balance in their design but you can't tell me a Sagaris or a Tuscan is a complete pussy cat and a 911 GT3 is dangerous. Its just what we're familiar with. You can't expect to get in someone else's 400+hp car and throw it around. I'd put these modern road cars all on a similar level, you need to try something like a Caterham 7 to really know what chassis balance and communication is about. TVR's are still a world away from the 7's.

Pits - have you ever spun out a modern TVR while trying to enjoy the oh so finally balanced chassis? have you ever tried a sweet handling GT2?

Isn't this all to do with patriotism and choosing to buy great british sport cars. For those of us unable to buy a Mclaren, TVR has been a flag bearer for many years. Its a tragedy to see that dream possibly disappear. If a british sports car maker could once again become credible in the City/London generally and displace the 911 as the default sport car of choice, as TVR did momentarily in the 90's there's a massive commercial opportunity to capture. best hope the new Esprit/Noble is a cracker before the Japanese get new products out eg new NSX, Skyline, Lexus

Edited by Namor on Sunday 19th November 03:13

[v8sag]

Namor said:

the pits said:

Traction control saves lives for people who can't drive that's for sure. I was in a Beemer with someone who had no idea about either cars or physics. The electronics kept us from certain death several times. I was grateful for them in the passenger seat but from the driving seat they totally got in the way of the driving experience. And ruined it.

996 Turbo in the wet at the nurburgring - ghastly PSM killjoy cuts in violently and feels dreadful but we stay on the black bits. So it works but I wasn't enjoying my lap one bit. Turn it off? Oh dear. That'll be a rear engine then. I thought they 'cured' the 911? And this one had 4wd!!! GT2 owners you have my respect. Rather you than me.

The way modern TVRs put down their large amounts of power in 1100kgs is truly stunning. And not possible without the long travel throttle, high rpm characteristics of the speed six (and relatively low, low-down torque) and engine set far back behind the front wheels (ie inherent balance). For the record this is why my Sagaris was genuinely impressive and stunning to drive round the same wet nurburgring.

My theory is that's also why the Griffith's low down torque party piece that everyone so loves here is also why they have a reputation for being a bit of a handful.

the same is true of handling, TVR's may have inherent balance in their design but you can't tell me a Sagaris or a Tuscan is a complete pussy cat and a 911 GT3 is dangerous. Its just what we're familiar with. You can't expect to get in someone else's 400+hp car and throw it around. I'd put these modern road cars all on a similar level, you need to try something like a Caterham 7 to really know what chassis balance and communication is about. TVR's are still a world away from the 7's.

Pits - have you ever spun out a modern TVR while trying to enjoy the oh so finally balanced chassis? have you ever tried a sweet handling GT2?

Edited by Namor on Sunday 19th November 03:13

Start lightening a TVR and I'll think you'll find chassis balance and communication isnt to far off,your missing the point though,a TVR is a compromise between the heavier sports cars and the Cateham you mentioned.
Hell,we have sorted 90's Griffs and Chims here that have whipped Nobles and GT3's around the track,let alone a modified Chim(basic chassis still in tact)killing a similar power to weight Caterham.
Id much rather be in a raw instant feedback machine that I can tweek thanks, over a bum slung over engineered car that needs computers to keep it out of the sh1t.

[tail slide]

Namor said:

the same is true of handling, TVR's may have inherent balance in their design but you can't tell me a Sagaris or a Tuscan is a complete pussy cat and a 911 GT3 is dangerous. Its just what we're familiar with. You can't expect to get in someone else's 400+hp car and throw it around. I'd put these modern road cars all on a similar level, you need to try something like a Caterham 7 to really know what chassis balance and communication is about. TVR's are still a world away from the 7's.

Pits - have you ever spun out a modern TVR while trying to enjoy the oh so finally balanced chassis? have you ever tried a sweet handling GT2?

Have YOU driven a 7 / Porsche / modern TVR on track? Doesnt sound like it! I have, and the TVR actually has the best balanced feel and progression with 50/50 weight distribution. With similar power>weight & tyre types (often overlooked) TVR's are also just as quick