Sunday 11th June 2017

New TVR for Goodwood!

September public debut at Goodwood Revival's 'Earls Court' expo maintains important TVR tradition

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Thought things had gone a bit quiet with 'new TVR'? You'd be forgiven for thinking so, given the (qualified) excitement about the brand's rebirth and fact we've not heard a whole lot since meeting Les Edgar and John Chasey a year ago.

Conspiracy theorists may well roll their eyes and say 'told you so', implying the whole thing was a fantasy from the start. Realists may look upon it more generously, accepting TVR's need to play its cards close to its chest, take a realistic approach and not over-promise as it looks to build a car, business and factory from scratch.

In the background TVR has been quietly showing the car to selected customers and amassing orders, to the point where books for the 500 "fully loaded" launch edition cars will shortly close as TVR gears up for its public unveiling at the Goodwood Revival in September. This in itself is an interesting move, Lord March typically favouring the Festival of Speed for the more commercial activity and big reveals as it evolves into Britain's de facto outdoor motor show. "It is entirely fitting that TVR, as such an iconic British marque, should unveil what will be a very exciting entrant to the global sports car market at our iconic British event," says Lord March of the decision to grant TVR this special privilege. "I very much look forward to welcoming them to the Revival in September."

Firm details about the car itself remain frustratingly sparse, if tempting in their fundamental promise. Little seems to have changed from last time we discussed it, key points like the 1,200kg kerbweight, 200mph performance and sub-four seconds to 60mph benchmark sprint confirmed in the press release announcing the Goodwood unveiling. As we know, that will all come courtesy of a Cosworth fettled version of the 5.0-litre V8 from the Ford Mustang, back of a fag packet maths off the promise of 400hp per tonne suggesting a headline figure of at least 500hp. Built according to Gordon Murray's iStream production methods, this approach claims to slash costs and help speed of development. It also gives TVR access to a wider team of designers and engineers geared up to deliver on the fiddly stuff like door seals and infotainment. The kind of details that, arguably, matter more than a noisy exhaust and entertainingly lairy handling in a car likely to cost close to £100K.

The Revival unveiling gives TVR a chance to celebrate some of its past achievements, as well as look forward to its new future. The evocation of the Earls Court motor show at the Revival is the perfect place to do it too, Goodwood promising "a number of older, heritage TVRs, in celebration of the British marque's 70th anniversary" to accompany the new car and celebrate a motor show at which TVR traditionally made a lot of noise with its new models. And some nude ones.

One tradition to be maintained? We'll see.

[robsco]

Brilliant news!

[sidesauce]

Although I personally am very much looking forward to the reveal of the new car, I can't help but think there will be a lot of sneering - ironic as I'm old enough to remember when this was a TVR forum...

I hope I'm proved wrong but somehow, the naysayers will be out in force. I'm willing to bet someone somewhere saying "but it's not a proper TVR"!

[RichB]

Really looking forward to seeing this, especially as the rest of the stand should mimic a TVR motor show exhibition from the mid '60s

[Cacatous]

Wow, 15 years since I collected my first TVR. I'm not in a position to own another but I hope they knock this out of the park!

[kambites]

Very much looking forward to seeing what they come up with, although it'll be well beyond my means.

[bertie]

Sounds like it's gonna be fun....cant wait.

[PhantomPH]

kambites said:

Very much looking forward to seeing what they come up with, although it'll be well beyond my means.

Do we think it's going to be big bucks? Something in my head told me this might be priced in a similar bracket to a good spec Cayman or F-Type. I could br bloody miles off, tho!

[kambites]

PhantomPH said:

kambites said:

Very much looking forward to seeing what they come up with, although it'll be well beyond my means.

Do we think it's going to be big bucks? Something in my head told me this might be priced in a similar bracket to a good spec Cayman or F-Type. I could br bloody miles off, tho!

Well the article above says about £100k.

[bertie]

PhantomPH said:

Do we think it's going to be big bucks? Something in my head told me this might be priced in a similar bracket to a good spec Cayman or F-Type. I could br bloody miles off, tho!

I was told normal car circa £65k, launch cars with big spec circa £90k

[Niffty951]

bertie said:

PhantomPH said:

Do we think it's going to be big bucks? Something in my head told me this might be priced in a similar bracket to a good spec Cayman or F-Type. I could br bloody miles off, tho!

I was told normal car circa £65k, launch cars with big spec circa £90k

Those figures both sound predictably likely but I think it's a mistake to continue the theme of matching the markets expectations. I speak for both my own interests and my love of TVR when I say achieving a figure 20k less than that for both numbers would make a bigger impact in the market at the cost of a few less features. I don't think tvr buyers have an expectation of F-type like interior finish and luxury. I'd be happy with interior to match the standard they were achieving 20-30years ago if it drove well, performed well and undercut the competition on price. It's so easy to fall into the trap but these are drivers cars built to punch above their weight. The core elements are Cost, driving experience & sound. All else needs to be balanced to score highly on the above. Every decision.. do we need this? No, it adds cost. Does it need 500hp.. yes otherwise it'll be a Lotus.

[lucido grigio]

I have no intention of buying one ,for 101 reasons but this has been anticipated for 2-3 years so can't wait to

see a "real" car.

Be disappointed if it's fugly.

[R11ysf]

bertie said:

I was told normal car circa £65k, launch cars with big spec circa £90k

I've heard from a reliable source more like 90k normal cars and the launch spec ones are 90k because they got their deposits down to enable development but get 20/25k or extras included. So launch spec cars after launch will be 110/115k.

I won't say what things the car has because the person who told me signed an NDA but honestly if you are a TVR fan or any sort of fan of the dwindling British Car Industry then you should be excited. If they live up to what they have said it can do then this is going to be a seriously great car.

[bertie]

R11ysf said:

bertie said:

I was told normal car circa £65k, launch cars with big spec circa £90k

I've heard from a reliable source more like 90k normal cars and the launch spec ones are 90k because they got their deposits down to enable development but get 20/25k or extras included. So launch spec cars after launch will be 110/115k.

I won't say what things the car has because the person who told me signed an NDA but honestly if you are a TVR fan or any sort of fan of the dwindling British Car Industry then you should be excited. If they live up to what they have said it can do then this is going to be a seriously great car.

Well my deposit has been in a long time, since the day books opened, so I'm excited.

[Clivey]

I also hope they hit it out of the park. Cars are becoming increasingly like white goods - even those with sporting pretensions - and I think we need a reminder of what can be done with the right attitude. Really wish them luck!

[RedTrident]

Please let it be good.

[Hughesie]

lucido grigio said:

Be disappointed if it's fugly.

Its not.

[Guvernator]

While I am excited about this release I can't help but feel disappointed at the price figures being bandied about. It it's £100k, that's way too expensive and not at all what TVR was about which was an affordable supercar for the masses.

[Peanus]

The revived TVR will be unveiled at the Goodwood Revival.

Well played.

[crofty1984]

I really hope it does well and those that took the plunge are very happy with their purchase.

[swisstoni]

Guvernator said:

While I am excited about this release I can't help but feel disappointed at the price figures being bandied about. It it's £100k, that's way too expensive and not at all what TVR was about which was an affordable supercar for the masses.

In the early 90's the top end Griffith and Chimaera were over £60k in today's money. The Cerbera and T Cars were more expensive again when they came out.
So a price around £75k for the base level modern TVR wouldn't be outlandish in comparison.