Ginetta the new TVR ?
Discussion
After owning two Sags, a T350 and a Cerb I had the chance to drive the new G40R at Ginetta in Leeds last Tuesday.
We were shown round the factory, looked at all assembly procedures and got to see the G60 and the G40R. After a full factory tour we drove the G40R around local country roads. What impressed most of all was the design around what can only be described as an amazing passenger protection cage, fully jigged, which gives consistent suspension location, which is also very well engineered with interchangeability being designed in.
The prototype drove really well with excellent gear shift and pedals with an engine that demands to be revved. Handling was compliant with good feedback and no tracking on road imperfections. The driver seat needed a little more angle to give better legroom for my 6ft 1 frame and I was assured that this was being addressed.
If LNT had bought TVR then who can imagine what would have been.
For the moment though this is one of the best British sports cars around and with another 40bhp on the production model whats not to like.
I wish that TVR had built something like this with a bit more power. I can honestly say that it was better handling than any TVR I have driven even with Nitrons and Laser alignment.
Anyway here are some pics of the day more to come when my mate sends them across.
We were shown round the factory, looked at all assembly procedures and got to see the G60 and the G40R. After a full factory tour we drove the G40R around local country roads. What impressed most of all was the design around what can only be described as an amazing passenger protection cage, fully jigged, which gives consistent suspension location, which is also very well engineered with interchangeability being designed in.
The prototype drove really well with excellent gear shift and pedals with an engine that demands to be revved. Handling was compliant with good feedback and no tracking on road imperfections. The driver seat needed a little more angle to give better legroom for my 6ft 1 frame and I was assured that this was being addressed.
If LNT had bought TVR then who can imagine what would have been.
For the moment though this is one of the best British sports cars around and with another 40bhp on the production model whats not to like.
I wish that TVR had built something like this with a bit more power. I can honestly say that it was better handling than any TVR I have driven even with Nitrons and Laser alignment.
Anyway here are some pics of the day more to come when my mate sends them across.
D14 AYS said:
Might handle well, but look at it! That orange thing is hideous, it's like a 70's kit car 
You can get them in any colour you want. I was just giving people the chance to see and get some initial impressions.Dont be so negative - Lambo orange seemed to be popular on TVRs and orange is Ginettas corporate colour as Rolex blue was TVRs
cheer up
bobd said:
D14 AYS said:
Might handle well, but look at it! That orange thing is hideous, it's like a 70's kit car
You can get them in any colour you want. I was just giving people the chance to see and get some initial impressions.Dont be so negative - Lambo orange seemed to be popular on TVRs and orange is Ginettas corporate colour as Rolex blue was TVRs
cheer up
sorry I just don't like the design at all.Oh and I just opened my garage door and I am over the moon
Much respect for LT, and I think he will succeed, but the car is an ugly duckling.
Randomly:
1.) The visual mass has too much rear bias
2.) The tail lamps are a poorly proportioned version of a dated styling cliche
3.) The side vent placement, relative to its recess is shoddy
4.) The headlamp pods are so busy that they imply "insect"
5.) The grill lacks personality
6.) The mirrors dwarf the car
7.) I count seven horizontal lines (not inclusive) between the fenestration and the ground.
8.) The sides are crisp, with sharp edges. The front, and the bubble over the engine are pudgy, soft, and flowing. Please make the styling of the car cohesive. It's not that difficult, but it does require effort and desire.
Case in point:
Randomly:
1.) The visual mass has too much rear bias
2.) The tail lamps are a poorly proportioned version of a dated styling cliche
3.) The side vent placement, relative to its recess is shoddy
4.) The headlamp pods are so busy that they imply "insect"
5.) The grill lacks personality
6.) The mirrors dwarf the car
7.) I count seven horizontal lines (not inclusive) between the fenestration and the ground.
8.) The sides are crisp, with sharp edges. The front, and the bubble over the engine are pudgy, soft, and flowing. Please make the styling of the car cohesive. It's not that difficult, but it does require effort and desire.
Case in point:
Well i think it looks pretty good, apart from the black light pods and i must say the doors look a lot smaller than a TVR , how easy is it to get in and out?.
TVR would be in a better place if LNT had bought it but when Smoleski signed up to that crazy deal where he leased the TVR factory and owned nothing apart from the name the brand was doomed.
TVR would be in a better place if LNT had bought it but when Smoleski signed up to that crazy deal where he leased the TVR factory and owned nothing apart from the name the brand was doomed.
I think it looks a lot better in the flesh than those pictures suggest and it's not a bad car to get in and out of despite having a full race cage.
I've driven the race version of the G40 round Silverstone recently and can confirm that it is a serious bit of kit and for the money is a good Track/Road car. It's being offered as a car that you can use daily but when you get to the track i's a bit more than just a roadcar.
Indeed Ginetta are intending to create a drive/race series next year where you must drive the car to the circuit before you race (no trailers allowed) and as part of the deal will trailer your car back to factory for repair for you if you're unfortunate enough to knock some corners off.
At just short of £30k I think they're pretty good value.
I've driven the race version of the G40 round Silverstone recently and can confirm that it is a serious bit of kit and for the money is a good Track/Road car. It's being offered as a car that you can use daily but when you get to the track i's a bit more than just a roadcar.
Indeed Ginetta are intending to create a drive/race series next year where you must drive the car to the circuit before you race (no trailers allowed) and as part of the deal will trailer your car back to factory for repair for you if you're unfortunate enough to knock some corners off.
At just short of £30k I think they're pretty good value.
They're doing it the opposite way round from TVR. TVR got the looks right but it took until the Sagaris to really get the handling sorted out (so I understand). From the review, Ginetta seem to have the handlling but haven't really nailed the aesthetics. I don't know if it's the primary orange colour or the radii used but it looks too 'plastic'.
For me, they just need to knock the wing and splitter off this and stick it on the road. The back looks really good as well.
For me, they just need to knock the wing and splitter off this and stick it on the road. The back looks really good as well.
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