Tuscans on the Autobahn

[jayemm89]

Hi all,

Very seriously considering a Tuscan as my next weekend car, the reality is I will be able to afford a Mk1, probably an S if I find the right car.

I do like to take my cars abroad and that will involve a lot of Autobahn - has anyone done it and how do they fare at sustained 100mph+ cruising?

My main concerns are:

- Noise
- Fuel economy
- Handling

I know the first two will be "loud" and "not great", but how loud and how bad? I just need to know if it is something I can live with.

I am sure people on here must have done similar trips.

Thanks1

[gruffalo]

Sustained 100mph +M no problem at all, noise will depend on the exhaust fitted but it need not be too loud, fuel economy I would expect high teens to low twenty's.

[jayemm89]

That's not so bad.

Having been out in a few cars i expect I would probably get a decat, or sports cats (assume you can get them for the Tuscan), but wouldn't sleeve the exhaust. Fun for five minutes, but not for me generally.

Does the "S" spoiler make a big difference to stability? I heard it did

[benny4x]

i drove all the way across france at *15 mph in a ford mondeo and it felt like a chore,whats the point i that?
i can drive my tuscan at 30mph and it feels more like fun thats the point!

[EW486]

jayemm89 said:

Hi all,

Very seriously considering a Tuscan as my next weekend car, the reality is I will be able to afford a Mk1, probably an S if I find the right car.

I do like to take my cars abroad and that will involve a lot of Autobahn - has anyone done it and how do they fare at sustained 100mph+ cruising?

My main concerns are:

- Noise
- Fuel economy
- Handling

I know the first two will be "loud" and "not great", but how loud and how bad? I just need to know if it is something I can live with.

I am sure people on here must have done similar trips.

Thanks1

Hi,

I drive my tuscan a lot on the Autobahn and my experience is:
- Noise
Depending on the exhaust fittetd and open top or closed. When driving open the wind is more annoying.
- Fuel economy
I get 20-28mpg
- Handling
Depends on individual car. At first it tried to kill me, after a proper alignment, new tyres and a reconditioned steering rack it was perfect to do 160mph without any concern. It would have gone faster but 'insert stereotype TVR S6 cliche'.

I would recommend A/C for these kind of trips thoug.

Regard

[HereBeMonsters]

I recall my Uncle wearing one driving glove on the left hand so as to be able to touch the hot gearknob after a long autobahn run.

[jayemm89]

Was A/C an option on Tuscans?

I do forget to ask about it, because I have become used to it being standard.

[Dutch_Cerbera]

jayemm89 said:

Hi all,

Very seriously considering a Tuscan as my next weekend car, the reality is I will be able to afford a Mk1, probably an S if I find the right car.

I do like to take my cars abroad and that will involve a lot of Autobahn - has anyone done it and how do they fare at sustained 100mph+ cruising?

My main concerns are:

- Noise
- Fuel economy
- Handling

I know the first two will be "loud" and "not great", but how loud and how bad? I just need to know if it is something I can live with.

I am sure people on here must have done similar trips.

Thanks1

I have no idea how it will be driving the German autobahn but i have have been driving like 200+ km/h in other counties (where is was max 120 allowed but anyway...) Noise... cant remember any probs... fuel... well... no idea.. when it says beep... go and get some... but no idea how much.. handling, great no probs or complains.

To be honest your question even surprise me, if you want a Tuscan S (like i have) who cares about fuel and noise... handling is according to me great, no probs at all. In the past i use to have a BMW 3 series and when i was drving close to its max of about 240km/h i noticed that it could react a bit tricky. But my Tuscan S is spot on for me.

[jayemm89]

Well I ask these things because a general lack of Autobahn in England means I can't test one at 130mph if I want to be able to keep my licence. I really want a Tuscan, but I want to take my time to ask and check I will be able to live with one for the main thing I'll use it for (holidays abroad).

I'm used to relatively noisy and relatively thirsty cars (911s), the Tuscan to me has always been fairly comparable on these fronts (the wind noise and tyre roar from a 911 can be pretty bad)

Noise is my primary concern, for these kinds of things I would probably have the roof up (maybe remove the rear screen), but I have been on plenty of motorbikes that are really good fun at UK speeds (<80ish) but they get very boring or annoying at 100mph cruising - whereas others just love it.

The TVR's top gear is very long isn't it? Would anyone be able to tell me what they are geared for? I suspect in an S at 100-ish mph you won't actually be revving much at all - I think 2nd tops out at 100 doesn't it? (With the CR box)

[Basti]

Hello,

no problem at all doing that. I just did 260 mls on Saturday on the Autobahn with 90-110mph where speed was not limited. Average was 25mpg.
The noise was nice and like you wrote:
Perfect combination for sound and not too much wind in the cabin is with removed back window.

Regards,
Basti

[jayemm89]

Thanks Basti

That is what I expected, but wanted to check. 25mpg is pretty reasonable for that, I think most Ferraris wouldn't get that even being driven in a saintly manner

[Basti]

As you mention Ferrari, I did the trip together with one

He did have to refuel

[Richie C]

jayemm89 said:

Was A/C an option on Tuscans?

I do forget to ask about it, because I have become used to it being standard.

Yes A/C was an option. Mine has it. Also seems to be optional if it works or not when you press the button ;-)

[RobertoBlanco]

jayemm89 said:

Well I ask these things because a general lack of Autobahn in England means I can't test one at 130mph if I want to be able to keep my licence.

Well, we have the Autobahn in germany, but unfortunately most of them I drove were either speed limited or with too much traffic to go faster than 160kph anyway. Ok, in the north/north-east of germany you tend to have less raffic in the frankfurt-wiesbaden-heidelberg area, where i am based. As i compare the T350 to my 2009 Scirocco i can say that it can get pretty scary in the TVR at high speeds. Despite it's young age the steering doesn't instill that much confidence as in more modern run of the mill cars. Tramlining is also an issue at higher speeds.
Found myself cruising at moderate speeds most of the time. Plus I rather crave cury b-roads than the Autobahn to be honest. But the grass is always greener on the other side...

[so called]

I've been driving Tuscan's on the Autobahn several times per year since 1997. Before that it was a Chimaera and a Wedge.
Also tons of trips to S.o.France, Spain etc.
As said, until set up properly they can be pretty scary.
My latest Tuscan was very front light above 190km/h. More adjustment and the front winglets and she's fine now.
Having said that, by the time I reach the German border I'm pretty knackered and so sit only a bit higher than the 120/140km/h i've been doing through UK/France/Belgium/Holland

Noise wise, mine is decatted with Powertech cans so very loud. Not much conversation between me and the Wife on the annual trip to Spain
I dont find it too bad.
I get around 28mpg. at the moderate speeds I mentioned, depending on tune up choice.

I'm off to Germany next week as it happens

[Walford]

Make sure you have the right diff and g/box ratio,s for high speed cruising, the five speed box in the Tuscan, is a bit limited

[EW486]

Hello Walford,
is there any option for a 6-speed gearbox?!? Due to the engine rebuild I'm giong to loose some rpm's and would be happy for an option to a diff-change.
Regards

[TOV!E]

jayemm89 said:

Was A/C an option on Tuscans?



I do forget to ask about it, because I have become used to it being standard.

Standard fit on the s

[Walford]

Think there were 3 diffs and 2 boxes would speak to

http://www.readmanracing.co.uk/parts4sale.php

[SteveSPG]

EW486 said:

Hello Walford,
is there any option for a 6-speed gearbox?!? Due to the engine rebuild I'm giong to loose some rpm's and would be happy for an option to a diff-change.
Regards

the btr diff can be fitted with a range of ratios

common that i'm aware of are 3.07, 3.23, 3.46. 3.73,

really depends on what you are doing with the car, readman or others can advise and have ratios in stock