Sagaris v Tuscan 2 S

[the pits]

I enjoyed a spin in a Tuscan 2 S yesterday and thought I'd share my comparison to the Sagaris, as I drove the Sagaris there and back.

I was actually surprised at how different the cars were, given how many parts they share. But the Saggy has definitely more in common with a T350 than a Tuscan. Overall though I was very impressed. It did feel a bit like a TVR from an earlier era but there's a lot that's good about that.

A lot has been said about how great the tuscan seats are but personally I find that you sit higher in them and roof on, I had considerably less headroom in the Tusc than I do in my Sag. The original Saggy seats are better for me. The tusc even in S form is definitely a little more compliant ride wise and in combination with it's higher ride height could be hussled effectively down some roads that would have the Sagaris hopping about. It's narrower body is also an advantage down the classic british B road. However I think there's no question that the Sagaris has more grip available on the smoother, faster A roads. Handling wise it's definitely a little 'dartier' but personally I quite liked that. The Sagaris is more forgiving though and perhaps a little more confidence inspiring. The Tuscan had the earlier wacky dash and two spoke steering wheel, which, while cool and imaginative, takes more getting used to than the Sagaris interior. Personally I find the two spoke wheel less intuitive and suspect it might be a disadvantage in terms of correcting a big slide for example.

There was next to bugger all in it in a straight line, as should be the case but the two cars sound pleasingly different. The Saggy a little growlier and more gurgly, the tusc a little smoother sounding. Both are great. But the tusc didn't pop or bang on the overrun - something of a Sagaris trademark. If anything the tuscan felt like it had a little more poke lower down than my Saggy. Neither I nor the salesman revved it right out, so I can't comment on their relative top ends.

The big plus of the Tusc was immediately obvious the moment the roof was removed. I was amazed how like a full convertible it felt and was expecting it to feel like other 'targa's' I'd driven but the narrow windscreen that feels a bit claustrophobic roof on allows a panoramic view of the sky and definitely adds to the enjoyment in tunnels.

Wierdly opening and closing the doors happens more slowly on the tuscan and it seems to need to lower the windows further. The doors and windows work very well and quickly on my Sagaris. I also find the extra fibre glass around the window sill a bit unnecessary on the tusc.

Both great, characterful and seriously exciting cars to drive and in an ideal world I'd have one of each! I left not quite seeing the point of the Tuscan Convertible but notice that the roof has been shaped to give more headroom inside.

[smithyl23]

Nice post, some good constructive comments there. Do they both run identical engines?
Still not keen on the tuscans looks i prefer the meaner look of the T350's and the saggys. The Tuscan 2 looked nice on the top gear with Jackie Stewart, however seen a couple in the flesh and can't bring myself to like the look of them.

[espresso]

I'm with you on the looks.
I vastly prefer the stockier, wider look of the Saggy.

I reckon it's one of the best looking cars on the planet.

Let's face it though, they're both fantastic - it would be a nice choice to have to make when you opened your garage every morning...

[the pits]

Aye, but there's something uniquely TVR about the Tuscan to look at. Some bloodline in common with the Griffith and Cerbera.

The Sagaris is more of a new era car but it's stunning to my eyes too. But it's the sort of thing Lamborghini ought to be making or perhaps would be making without the sobering German influence. If it's of interest, you might not be surprised to know that the Sagaris gets far, far more attention. I guess there are pros and cons to that. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the Tuscan drive. For those that like convertibles it's perhaps the slightly better everyday road car. For making pedestrians swear out loud, it has to be the Sagaris!