The Olden Days - Autocar on the Cerbera, 1995
Discussion
Just clearing off a shelf of Autocar magazines and by chance exposed the 26 April 1995 edition of Autocar: SIDEWAYS IN THE NEW TVR CERBERA.
"On road and track alike the Cerbera feels fearsomely quick, reeling in Griffiths and Chimaeras like minnows in a shrimping net, all thanks to the AJP8's incredible performance between 4000-7000rpm."
"Third gear alone is capable of pulling 115mph at the 7300rpm red line, whereas a Griffith with near identical gearing has given its best by 80mph in 3rd and even at its 6000rpm limiter will only reach 91mph."
Wheeler, "with his usual laissez-faire grin": "I can't ever imagine Lexus coveting our engine. It will never be super smooth or super quiet, but it is very responsive, more like an early Ferrari or an Aston DB5 than a Toyota Supra. I've done a 2500-mile round trip in it and loved it. If we don't cock it up, it should be really brilliant."
At April '95, there were 370 deposits already pledged for production cars.
Those were the days. Would love to see them return. TVR surprising the media ... a charismatic leader ... 'new generation' models wiping the floor with 'old generation' models ...
"On road and track alike the Cerbera feels fearsomely quick, reeling in Griffiths and Chimaeras like minnows in a shrimping net, all thanks to the AJP8's incredible performance between 4000-7000rpm."
"Third gear alone is capable of pulling 115mph at the 7300rpm red line, whereas a Griffith with near identical gearing has given its best by 80mph in 3rd and even at its 6000rpm limiter will only reach 91mph."
Wheeler, "with his usual laissez-faire grin": "I can't ever imagine Lexus coveting our engine. It will never be super smooth or super quiet, but it is very responsive, more like an early Ferrari or an Aston DB5 than a Toyota Supra. I've done a 2500-mile round trip in it and loved it. If we don't cock it up, it should be really brilliant."
At April '95, there were 370 deposits already pledged for production cars.
Those were the days. Would love to see them return. TVR surprising the media ... a charismatic leader ... 'new generation' models wiping the floor with 'old generation' models ...
I have that copy too, makes me smile everytime I read it. And those 0-60 and 0-100 times were for a 4.2 were they not!! They were the GOLDEN days for sure, and I miss the anticipation of new models at the British Motorshow. I can still remember when I first saw that Speed 12 on display in the purplish colour, I just thought wow....... totally amazing.
Edited by longbow on Sunday 20th August 18:03
longbow said:
I can still remember when I first saw that Speed 12 on display in the purplish colour, I just thought wow....... totally amazing.
I was recently given a huge pile of photos of the development of the Speed 12 (or Project 12/7 as it was known to begin with) which I'll post a selection of soon. At one point in the design studio it was black.
Continuing to clear off shelves, I've just picked up December 2002 Top Gear with a 4.5 pitched against the Murcielago.
"I've bagged another go in the Lamborghini, hammering up the runway at a steady 150mph. I flick my eyes up at the rear-view mirror and suddenly the slatted rear window has turned an alarming shade of green. There's a maniac in a TVR Cerbera lodged right up my chuff and there's nothing I can do to make him disappear...
"...the TVR Cerbera 4.5 achieves 30-70 in 3.4secs, exactly the same as the Murcielago and quicker than any other of our supercars on test, save the completely ballistic Pagani."
"If you're disgustingly rich, if you've already managed to acquire any or all of the other exotica driven here, and if one day you see an uncommonly green, long-snouted coupé hurtling up your backside, best avoid trouble and step out of its way..."
"I've bagged another go in the Lamborghini, hammering up the runway at a steady 150mph. I flick my eyes up at the rear-view mirror and suddenly the slatted rear window has turned an alarming shade of green. There's a maniac in a TVR Cerbera lodged right up my chuff and there's nothing I can do to make him disappear...
"...the TVR Cerbera 4.5 achieves 30-70 in 3.4secs, exactly the same as the Murcielago and quicker than any other of our supercars on test, save the completely ballistic Pagani."
"If you're disgustingly rich, if you've already managed to acquire any or all of the other exotica driven here, and if one day you see an uncommonly green, long-snouted coupé hurtling up your backside, best avoid trouble and step out of its way..."
daggart said:
Phil! you got in just before me!.
If the big 4WD Lambos are - as Valentino Balboni says - "just like a beeg Skyline" then, apart from their weight dampening the effect of the prodigious power, there are driveline losses of over 30% before that power reaches the tarmac. Anyway, where the Lambos score is stability at high speeds and, being geared for over 200, they will pull away when the Cerbera is maxed out.
Phil, I have that magazine too!!! Another favourite read! Anyway, don't want to sound a spotter BUT, quote from Autocar past masters section on the Diablo VT; "VT disappoints with its unresolved handling and merely explosive performance. Hotter, lighter SE shows what a real Lambo should be like; huge power, huge grip and the speed to outrun a Bugatti EB110GT". 0-60 on the VT is quoted as 5.1 secs, although it will do 202 mph!!
Edited by longbow on Sunday 20th August 19:41
Maybe I am mistaken, but did Evo not have a group test with some sillymoney supercars (Zonda et al) which included a RR Cerbera a couple of years ago. AFASR the Cerbera took a few scalps that day as well. I'd like to have a couple of quotes form that one here too, although my back copies went to the way of the landfill some time ago.
It's all clearly horses for courses, but the Diablo is definately very fast, and probably faster in many situations than the Cerbera, but really what we are talking about are small marins. Both are bullets and true VMax is determined by factors other than the car, such as a corner/tractor (like mine.) /limit(as if!!!!!)/other traffic.
Now where's my lottery ticket
It's all clearly horses for courses, but the Diablo is definately very fast, and probably faster in many situations than the Cerbera, but really what we are talking about are small marins. Both are bullets and true VMax is determined by factors other than the car, such as a corner/tractor (like mine.) /limit(as if!!!!!)/other traffic.
Now where's my lottery ticket
longbow said:
OMG, so you are.... I do apologise!! Anyway, you are a very lucky girl to own a Diablo, make no mistake, but the Cerbera IS a giant slayer and if you show me your 1/4 slips which beat 11.9 secs I will gladly agree with you 
Edited by longbow on Sunday 20th August 19:16
hmm .. and in between jobs.
Your right arm didn't have a bit-part in the film "Roadhouse" by any chance did you?
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