RE: TVR: Back in business (there's even a website)

[DonkeyApple]

Beefmeister said:

For



But seriously though, it does look like Smolenski has just taken the TVR Power ideas that were published in evo a few months ago and made them 'factory'.

I wonder if the chap from TVR Power is on here? Can he comment?

I think we will find that it is exactly the other way around. In order for Power to do what they claimed they wanted to do they need the blessing of NS.

This is just Power's project being officially sanctioned by the owner. It's all going to be run out of Coventry with the Belgian chappies carrying out sales and servicing on the Continent.

[Jag-D]

Dump the Buick block and utilise the more improved Speed 6 and AJP units along with a Chevy lump

[angry jock]

Had an interesting discussion with Tony at HHC today when I was picking up my Griff. We chatted about Radical and how HHC will be selling Ginetta in the new year. Tony has said that he has now emailed Nic trying to order both a new Tuscan 2 and a new Sagaris. He has, as yet, not had a response. It's interesting as obviously HHC have been with TVR a long time and would love to actually see new product coming through. I guess that this is another wait and see moment but it might be good if Dom could give some insight as to where the new, rather than the rebuilt, cars are intending being made.
Let's face it, there are a lot of people that would love to buy a new TVR but until there is some confidence in the company and it not being yet another false start, I think few would put their hand in their pocket.
Fingers crossed that something actually happens this time.

[unrepentant]

bobberz said:

redgriff500 said:

Just Googled Ring Times and found the following

7:40* -- Porsche Carrera GT, *estimated time on cold and partially wet track (2003)
7:40* -- Corvette Z06, 505 PS/ 1419.7 kg (estimated), Jan Magnusen
7:40 --- Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR, Klaus Ludwig, Autobild July 2004
7:42 --- Radical 1500 SR3 (2002)
7:43 --- TechArt GT Street (2001)
7:43 --- Porsche 996 911 GT3 RS, factory test driver Walter Rohrl, MOTOR Magazine
7:43.5 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine, 2002)
7:44 --- Pagani Zonda C12S (07/2003)
7:45 --- Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 (12/2000)
7:46 --- Porsche 996 GT2
7:46 --- SHK Porsche 993 GT2, 652 PS (1999)
7:47 --- Porsche 996 GT3 RS, 381PS (996) (2004)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup

So only 9 seconds faster than a GT3 Cup I can see that crude rear suapension and heavy weight is really affecting it.

And that's the Z06 with "only" 505bhp! Where's the 638bhp ZR1 on that list? I'm amazed at what cars the humble old 'Vette has humbled! Gemballa Porsches, Pagani Zondas and Murcielagos?!

I drove a ZO6 recently, the thing was frickin awesome.

[GTRene]

here is a much better list of the Nurburgring times, 252 cars and say that Z06 with a Z07 package did even a 7.22 and the ZR1 did a 7.19.63 but the Porsche GT2 RS did it in 7.18

http://www.fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.htm...

here a few of the first 61 till just over 7.50

laptimes said:

Speed (km/h) Year Power (hp) / Weight (kg) Driven by
1. Radical SR8LM 6:48.00 182 0 455 / 650 Radical
2. Radical SR8 6:55.00 179 '05 363 / 650 Radical
3. Gumpert Apollo Speed 7:11.57 172 '09 700 / 1200 Gumpert
4. Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR 7:12.13 172 '08 600 / 1536 Chrysler
5. Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package 7:14.64 171 '12 570 / 1509 Lexus
6. Donkervoort D8 RS 7:14.89 171 '05 350 / 600 Michael Duechting
7. Porsche 911 GT2 RS 7:18.00 169 '10 620 / 1370 Porsche
8. Radical SR3 Turbo 7:19.00 169 '03 320 / 500 Phil Bennett
9. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 7:19.63 169 '08 647 / 1530 General Motors
10. Nissan GT-R MK III 7:21.00 168 '12 550 / 1736 Nissan
11. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Z07 Package 7:22.68 168 '11 512 / 1394 General Motors
12. Gumpert Apollo Sport 7:24.00 167 '07 700 / 1200 Sport Auto
13. Nissan GT-R 7:24.22 167 '11 530 / 1736 Nissan
14. Maserati MC12 7:24.29 167 '04 632 / 1335 Marc Basseng
15. Pagani Zonda F Clubsport 7:24.65 167 '05 650 / 1230 Marc Basseng
16. Ferrari Enzo 7:25.21 167 '02 660 / 1365 Marc Basseng
17. Nissan GT-R 7:26.70 166 '08 479 / 1740 Toshio Suzuki
18. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 7:27.00 166 '11 500 / 1360 Porsche
19. Ferrari 458 Italia 7:28.00 166 '09 570 / 1485 Scuderia Autoropa
20. McLaren MP4-12C 7:28.00 166 '10 600 / 1434 Horst von Saurma
21. Porsche Carrera GT 7:28.71 165 '03 612 / 1380 Marc Basseng
22. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 7:30.00 165 '11 500 / 1360 Sport Auto
23. Porsche 911 GT2 7:31.00 164 '07 530 / 1440 Auto Motor und Sport
24. Porsche 911 Turbo S 7:32.00 164 '10 530 / 1585 Porsche
25. Pagani Zonda F 7:33.00 164 '05 602 / 1371 Sport Auto
26. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 7:33.00 164 '10 450 / 1400 Sport Auto
27. Koenigsegg CCX 7:33.55 164 '06 806 / 1456 Marc Basseng
28. Koenigsegg CCR 7:34.00 163 '04 806 / 1418 Sport Auto
29. Audi R8 GT 7:34.00 163 '10 560 / 1520 Sport Auto
30. Nissan GT-R Spec-V 7:34.46 163 '09 492 / 1680 Best Motoring
31. RUF RT12 7:35.00 163 '05 650 / 1573 Sport Auto
32. Porsche 911 Turbo 7:38.00 162 '06 480 / 1585 Porsche
33. Lexus LF-A 7:38.00 162 '10 560 / 1609 Sport Auto
34. Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera 7:38.00 162 '10 570 / 1430 Sport Auto
35. Ferrari 430 Scuderia 7:39.00 162 '07 510 / 1402 Sport Auto
36. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 7:40.00 161 '06 640 / 1805 Auto Bild Sportscars
37. McLaren Mercedes SLR 7:40.00 161 '03 626 / 1693 Auto Bild
38. Porsche 911 GT3 7:40.00 161 '09 435 / 1376 Walter Rohrl
39. Porsche 911 Carrera S 7:40.00 161 '11 400 / 1415 Porsche
40. Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 7:41.27 161 '11 558 / 0 GM
41. Porsche 911 GT3 7:42.00 161 '06 415 / 1395 Walter Rohrl
42. Radical SR3 7:42.00 161 '02 205 / 495
43. Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce 7:42.00 161 '09 670 / 1664 Sport Auto
44. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 7:42.90 160 '05 513 / 1437 Jan Magnussen
45. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 7:43.00 160 '03 381 / 1360 Motor
46. Pagani Zonda C12 S 7:44.00 160 '02 555 / 1250 Sport Auto
47. Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI 7:44.00 160 '09 525 / 1620 Sport Auto
48. Mercedes CLK 63 Black Series 7:45.00 159 '07 507 / 1745 Berndt Schneider
49. Gardner Douglas GD T70 Spyder 7:45.00 159 '10 710 / 900 Dario Margutti
50. Porsche 911 GT2 7:46.00 159 '00 460 / 1430 Sport Auto
51. Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 7:46.00 159 '07 530 / 1520 Auto
52. Jaguar XJ220 7:46.37 159 '92 549 / 1470 John Nielsen
53. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 7:47.00 159 '06 620 / 1748 Sport Auto
54. Wiesmann GT MF5 7:47.00 159 '08 507 / 1380 Sport Auto
55. Porsche 911 Turbo 7:47.00 159 '09 500 / 1570 Sport Auto
56. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 7:48.00 158 '06 415 / 1375 Sport Auto
57. BMW M3 GTS 7:48.00 158 '10 450 / 1543 Sport Auto
58. Lamborghini Murcielago 7:50.00 158 '02 580 / 1800 Sport Auto
59. BMW M3 CSL 7:50.00 158 '03 360 / 1385 Sport Auto
60. Porsche 911 Carrera S 7:50.00 158 '08 385 / 1425
61. Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series 7:51.00 157 '09 670 / 1870 Sport Auto

[dvs_dave]

unrepentant said:

bobberz said:

redgriff500 said:

Just Googled Ring Times and found the following

7:40* -- Porsche Carrera GT, *estimated time on cold and partially wet track (2003)
7:40* -- Corvette Z06, 505 PS/ 1419.7 kg (estimated), Jan Magnusen
7:40 --- Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR, Klaus Ludwig, Autobild July 2004
7:42 --- Radical 1500 SR3 (2002)
7:43 --- TechArt GT Street (2001)
7:43 --- Porsche 996 911 GT3 RS, factory test driver Walter Rohrl, MOTOR Magazine
7:43.5 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine, 2002)
7:44 --- Pagani Zonda C12S (07/2003)
7:45 --- Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 (12/2000)
7:46 --- Porsche 996 GT2
7:46 --- SHK Porsche 993 GT2, 652 PS (1999)
7:47 --- Porsche 996 GT3 RS, 381PS (996) (2004)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup

So only 9 seconds faster than a GT3 Cup I can see that crude rear suapension and heavy weight is really affecting it.

And that's the Z06 with "only" 505bhp! Where's the 638bhp ZR1 on that list? I'm amazed at what cars the humble old 'Vette has humbled! Gemballa Porsches, Pagani Zondas and Murcielagos?!

I drove a ZO6 recently, the thing was frickin awesome.

The ZR1 did it in 7:19 which really is astonishing. The Corvette is a very advanced car and architecture which when you see one underneath is clear. In fact, the LM cars aren't modified all that much at all over standard.

Trouble is there will always be a very parochial and bigoted attitude towards them in the UK, regardless of how good they actually are. This is something that I think in this day and age the UK is sadly somewhat defined and hobbled by.

Edited by dvs_dave on Saturday 12th November 15:57

[Steve12NG]

They all look like crappy cheap kit cars to me

Maybe employing a designer with the gift of sight would be a start...

[anonymous-user]

unrepentant said:

bobberz said:

redgriff500 said:

Just Googled Ring Times and found the following

7:40* -- Porsche Carrera GT, *estimated time on cold and partially wet track (2003)
7:40* -- Corvette Z06, 505 PS/ 1419.7 kg (estimated), Jan Magnusen
7:40 --- Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR, Klaus Ludwig, Autobild July 2004
7:43.5 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine, 2002)
7:44 --- Pagani Zonda C12S (07/2003)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup

And that's the Z06 with "only" 505bhp! Where's the 638bhp ZR1 on that list? I'm amazed at what cars the humble old 'Vette has humbled! Gemballa Porsches, Pagani Zondas and Murcielagos?!

I drove a ZO6 recently, the thing was frickin awesome.

Yes, I don't understand why there's so much excitement about putting LS engines in old cars when you go out and buy a properly engineered Corvette. They are astounding machines!

[JonRB]

Steve12NG said:

They all look like crappy cheap kit cars to me

Typical snobbish remark from the owner of a dancing donkey.

[unrepentant]

JonRB said:

Steve12NG said:

They all look like crappy cheap kit cars to me

Typical snobbish remark from the owner of a very old dancing donkey.

EFA.

[redgriff500]

5 USA said:

unrepentant said:

bobberz said:

redgriff500 said:

Just Googled Ring Times and found the following

7:40* -- Porsche Carrera GT, *estimated time on cold and partially wet track (2003)
7:40* -- Corvette Z06, 505 PS/ 1419.7 kg (estimated), Jan Magnusen
7:40 --- Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR, Klaus Ludwig, Autobild July 2004
7:43.5 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine, 2002)
7:44 --- Pagani Zonda C12S (07/2003)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup

And that's the Z06 with "only" 505bhp! Where's the 638bhp ZR1 on that list? I'm amazed at what cars the humble old 'Vette has humbled! Gemballa Porsches, Pagani Zondas and Murcielagos?!

I drove a ZO6 recently, the thing was frickin awesome.

Yes, I don't understand why there's so much excitement about putting LS engines in old cars when you go out and buy a properly engineered Corvette. They are astounding machines!

I must admit that I think they could do with being smaller - they are very big for a 2 seater. I probably wouldn't buy a LHD model either. I've driven many LHD car and its not an issue for trucks or slow cars but for a fast car I need RHD both for overtaking and the gear lever.

So perhaps we ought to be wishing for smaller RHD Corvettes to be made as you have far more chance of that happening than real TVR's being made again - which is a shame.

[KDIcarmad]

Sad to see a great british car maker brought back to build frankenstein version of it cars. Why do people keep try to relaunches old car makes? I recently read that Jenson is going to try and make a come back! Again! How many times is that now? I hope TVR will not go the same way, come back after come back.

I can think of only one case where it worked, Marcos. That worked as they build a car based on they old model and sold them as kits. Just updating the running gear. It is also interesting to note when they try to moved to full production from kit manufacture they failed, after a few years. This is sad, as I feel Marcos offer the class lacking in TVR's (I await the comments on that). I like both of them, but I see TVR a road going "hooligans" (good name for a TVR model) cars for grown up boy racers. A market not really filled since TVR closed.

[Caractacus]

JonRB said:

Steve12NG said:

They all look like crappy cheap kit cars to me

Typical snobbish remark from the owner of a dancing donkey.

Oh, leave the criminal and his Mincing Mule alone.

[PascalBuyens]

Erhm... 5 speed gearbox with the LS3???

Guaranteed to break some gearboxes...

[Don1]

Nope. Steve Heath reckons the LS3 is within the engineering tolerances of the LS3. Will report back with findings!

[dvs_dave]

Don1 said:

Nope. Steve Heath reckons the LS3 is within the engineering tolerances of the LS3. Will report back with findings!

That doesn't make sense or have I missed something?

[wadders82]

I think its good that a company has took over the TVR Brand and as long as it sticks to the criteria that people associate with TVR's (i.e raw powerful sports cars that engage the driver with radical styling) but also improves the reliability they'll be on to a winner. I have long wanted to buy a TVR but have always been put off by their reported poor build quality and reliability if they improve these issues (which shouldn't be hard) then i'll probably buy one and be prepared to pay a little more for one.

[unrepentant]

wadders82 said:

I think its good that a company has took over the TVR Brand and as long as it sticks to the criteria that people associate with TVR's (i.e raw powerful sports cars that engage the driver with radical styling) but also improves the reliability they'll be on to a winner. I have long wanted to buy a TVR but have always been put off by their reported poor build quality and reliability if they improve these issues (which shouldn't be hard) then i'll probably buy one and be prepared to pay a little more for one.

Eh? Who took over what? Sticking to what? Building what?

[Driver479]

I was one of TVR's transporter drivers (worked there for 22 years in total) and drove one of the purple transporters to the Austrian address at Braungasse on two occasions. It is Smolenskis private house, not any kind of workshop facility. It is in a residential area, surrounded by large houses. I have photos but would not publish them on here as it is his private residence. Whatever he is doing, I seriously doubt it is happening there.

[DonkeyApple]

Driver479 said:

I was one of TVR's transporter drivers (worked there for 22 years in total) and drove one of the purple transporters to the Austrian address at Braungasse on two occasions. It is Smolenskis private house, not any kind of workshop facility. It is in a residential area, surrounded by large houses. I have photos but would not publish them on here as it is his private residence. Whatever he is doing, I seriously doubt it is happening there.

The Golding company of the brand is at this address.

This whole new enterprise is TVR Power in Coventry operating under license from NS.

The cars will be made in England but I suspect they will test the water first with refurbing old cars and fitting LS engines as the money required to start manufacturing all the little parts to build completely new cars doesn't exist at present.

Obviously, they are expecting to sell more refurbed cars in Europe than in the UK hence the skin over the website and its focus.

They'll source UK used cars, rebuild them at Power in Coventry and ship them over to the sales front in Europe. Probably the Belgian operation.

With regards to cost, I have a feeling that you'll be looking at E100k for some of these.

In the UK I think people who want a refurbed TVR will stick the the proven and existing companies who have been doing this for a fair few years and those wanting an LS, likewise.

I'm sure Dom will be around in the next week or so to confirm or deny.