Friday 14th July 2006

TVR moves to emissions compliance

Wants to sell to Europe and beyond

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TVR Sagaris

Blackpool-based TVR has moved towards selling its cars to a wider market in Europe and beyond, hopefully with a view to securing the future of the company.

It's announced today that it has signed a heads of agreement with UK specialist engineering company Ricardo to develop the TVR Speed Six engine to Euro 5 (LEV II) compliance.

This level of emissions certification, achieved over an 18-month programme, confirms TVR's commitment to expanding its markets internationally with all necessary type-approval standards.

Ricardo is one of the world's leading powertrain, driveline and transmission technology providers. Combining business, product and process strategy with fundamental technical research and the implementation of large-scale new product development programmes, Ricardo is able to take on the greatest challenges in the industry, including engine, transmission and driveline design, engineering, testing and systems integration.

TVR boss Nikolai Smolenski said: "My intention to expand the sales and distribution of TVR cars throughout Europe, the USA and markets throughout the rest of the world is a key part of the business strategy of the company. Our alliance with Ricardo allows us to advance our technical capabilities to achieve our aims at an accelerated rate."

"We are delighted to support TVR with their development," said Dave Shemmans, CEO of Ricardo, "and we are looking forward to bringing the very best of Ricardo engineering to such an exciting brand and product range."

This is a positive move that's likely to be welcomed by TVR fans, as a wider market means more cars and, hopefully, less volatility.

Links

• www.tvr.co.uk
• www.ricardo.com

[hendry]

Why do they not just spend the money sourcing an engine that already compliance from another manufacturer? I am not sure anyone cares where the oily bits are from as long as they work. I don't hear many Aston V8 Vantage owners bemoaning the fact that their engine is also used in a Land Rover, or Lambo Gallardo drivers that they use an Audi engine...

The more I hear, the more I think NS is clueless.

[cathalm]

Probably because their aston v8 engine isn't used in a land rover you spectacular muppet.

[bertie]

And the Gallardo engine is unique to Lambo, Audi use a V10 in the A8 but it's a bit like the Asotn job in that the Gallardo has unique heads, crank etc

[bennno]

cathalm said:

Probably because their aston v8 engine isn't used in a land rover you spectacular muppet.

The aston uses a derivitive of the jaguar v8, which in turn is used in the Land Rover.

I wont call you a spectacular muppet btw.

bennno

[morebeanz]

TVR had one of the biggest initial raises in profile when they went from sourcing external engines to in-house. People DO care where the engine is from, and particularly now that they have shown that they can develop engines for themselves with unique TVR characteristics.

Good on them, I say.

[RichardD]

Why do all threads end up (or even start) on tangents ???? !!

This announcement means a LOT. When the tweaked SP6 emerges after Ricardo have done their work - will it need 30k between rebuilds? I cannot imagine such a high profile consultancy linking themselves with something like this unless the resultant engine is the best that can be produced in all aspects not just some Brussels gaseus directive.... !!

Of course the engine may be there already in durability terms, but this announcement will give added confidense to the SP6 given TVR's policy of continual improvement without announcing it !!

[bennno]

Personally I would rather they started building a modern griff, with a mass produced 240bhp six and selling it for sub 30k That would wake demand up somewhat.

I wont buy another until this happens. Cant be assed with running 2 cars to enable one to spend its weeks in the garage (at home or being fixed).

Bennno

[angrys3owner]

Come on chaps I don't even own one but surely this is HUGELY positive news, Ricardo developing a newer SP6, I can't see them developing one that doesn't work or breaks after a few miles!

If they started offering the Ricardo developed SP6 and a new V8 that meets all the regs and don't break they'd be laughing in my opinion!

People need to stop moaning so much on here!!!

[thanuk]

I don't quite understand the story - is it an 18 month programme to sort the emissions starting today? It says 'achieved' rather than 'to be achieved' which suggests it's been done already.

[andytk]

Hmmmm,

Don't the yanks require you to prove that not only does your engine meet emissions regs "as new" but also pass that same emissions test once 100,000 simulated miles have been out on the engine?

If so I'd wager that (from what I know of the SS) TVR will struggle due to oil-through-the-valve-stem combustion at 100,000 miles. Unless their Cats can clean the partially burnt oil up of course.

Andy

[bjwoods]

it's good new of course...

But from a business perspective, if they'd done this 2 years ago, they's allready be selling in Europe. these regs can hardly be considered a surprise.

Who at TVR have been sitting on their hands for the last couple of years, ignoring this.

B

[G20RG B]

bennno said:

Personally I would rather they started building a modern griff, with a mass produced 240bhp six and selling it for sub 30k That would wake demand up somewhat.

I wont buy another until this happens. Cant be assed with running 2 cars to enable one to spend its weeks in the garage (at home or being fixed).

Bennno

Benno the modern griff is OU ALREADY, TUSCAN 2 Convert!!!!

Lets not go back to the past, The days of TVR owners having beards and Cord flares are over!
Things have to move on stopp prattling on about the good old days of the Rover V8...there wern't any the Rover V8 based cars had as many problems as the early SP6.

The current SP6 are proving to be highly reliable it may just be that newTVRs are just not the brand for you have you considered a Rover 75.

I'm sick of people bringing down the current range when virtually everyone I speak to that has one thinks they are fantastic.......Including Jackie Stewart.

Go and read your readers digest and suck on a Pan Drop:::::::::::

[bjwoods]

G20RG B said:

bennno said:

Personally I would rather they started building a modern griff, with a mass produced 240bhp six and selling it for sub 30k That would wake demand up somewhat.

I wont buy another until this happens. Cant be assed with running 2 cars to enable one to spend its weeks in the garage (at home or being fixed).

Bennno

Benno the modern griff is OU ALREADY, TUSCAN 2 Convert!!!!

Lets not go back to the past, The days of TVR owners having beards and Cord flares are over!
Things have to move on stopp prattling on about the good old days of the Rover V8...there wern't any the Rover V8 based cars had as many problems as the early SP6.

The current SP6 are proving to be highly reliable it may just be that newTVRs are just not the brand for you have you considered a Rover 75.

I'm sick of people bringing down the current range when virtually everyone I speak to that has one thinks they are fantastic.......Including Jackie Stewart.

Go and read your readers digest and suck on a Pan Drop:::::::::::

they need to move forward yes...

but to say the rv8 had as many problems as the s6 is cloud cuckoo land stuff.
i mean having had a rebuild, in the tuscan sales classified is practically a marketing tool. (ie so many people say it)

why slag off/stereotype rv8 owners. I personally have a griff and love it, i would also love to be able to have a tuscan, as well, but wo toddlers currently prevent this

B

[tvr2s]

Its very good news Ricardo, a highly respected company, are getting involved in further developments. This can only help TVR.

[G20RG B]

If you have a Griff and you like it Fab, they look and sound great I nearly bought one.

But It really gets me going when people who have not got a speed 6 2005 onward, feel the need to slag it off. It does nothing for the brand and image of TVR. We should all be supporting and encouraging the brand not dismissing models in the range out of hand just because people don't like it,Keep it to yourself..

I think TVRs are wondefull cars some I like some I don't but I wont come on here talking down the models/engines I dont like.

NS has my full support.

[bennno]

G20RG B said:

bennno said:

Personally I would rather they started building a modern griff, with a mass produced 240bhp six and selling it for sub 30k That would wake demand up somewhat.

I wont buy another until this happens. Cant be assed with running 2 cars to enable one to spend its weeks in the garage (at home or being fixed).

Bennno

Benno the modern griff is OU ALREADY, TUSCAN 2 Convert!!!!

Lets not go back to the past, The days of TVR owners having beards and Cord flares are over!
Things have to move on stopp prattling on about the good old days of the Rover V8...there wern't any the Rover V8 based cars had as many problems as the early SP6.

The current SP6 are proving to be highly reliable it may just be that newTVRs are just not the brand for you have you considered a Rover 75.

I'm sick of people bringing down the current range when virtually everyone I speak to that has one thinks they are fantastic.......Including Jackie Stewart.

Go and read your readers digest and suck on a Pan Drop:::::::::::

An eloquent submission, as a 5 times tvr owner (2 Griffs, 2 Cerberas and a t35o) I am obviously less knowledgeable than your good self and possibly not a TVR brand customer.

The Rover V8 engined cars were almost faultless, both my Cerbs had engine rebuilds and my t350 blew a hole the size of your head through the engine block shortly after I sold it.

I think tvr should produce a wider range of cars including a 30k roadster with a mass produced v6 which can be used everyday. But hey if you think thats wrong and that every car they make should come with the same speed 6 engine, 350bhp and cost £49k then who am I to disagree with you.

Bennno

[ridds]

bjwoods said:

it's good new of course...

But from a business perspective, if they'd done this 2 years ago, they's allready be selling in Europe. these regs can hardly be considered a surprise.

Who at TVR have been sitting on their hands for the last couple of years, ignoring this.

B

A very good point that should be raised to all the Wheeler lovers out there. What was he doing with the company in the final years? This 'should' have been in the pipeline ages ago. Not now.

I was proper excited about this news and wanted to speak up ages ago but I would have been sacked for even mentioning it on here. Met NS himself the other week, thoroughly nice chap.

[GreenV8S]

G20RG B said:

The current SP6 are proving to be highly reliable

What's your basis for saying that? It took me a while to believe that the S6 engines suffered from significant reliability problems, and after so many false alarms over many years I'm skeptical of claims that it's all been fixed. Would be great if they have done though, because imo the engine reliability issue is the thing that has done (and is continuing to do) most harm to new TVR sales.

[cathalm]

bennno said:

cathalm said:

Probably because their aston v8 engine isn't used in a land rover you spectacular muppet.

The aston uses a derivitive of the jaguar v8, which in turn is used in the Land Rover.

I wont call you a spectacular muppet btw.

bennno

If you change virtually the entire top end of the engine and then think oh what the hell well modify the block, it is a different engine isn't it. The engine used in the AMV8 ends up being a differnt engine, just because they started with the Jag 4.2 doesn't make it the same engine, if it does then most engines you could mention could be called something else when seeking to denigrate it. At best the engines could be described as distantly related, sorry about muppet referencing, these generalisations about engines annoy me, dunno why. I get similar fury when people say maser v8 is the same as ferrari. Perhaps i should invest in some tranquilisers.

[RedTuscan]

Perhaps it was because they were still consulting about Euro 5 last year, long after Mr Wheeler had sold TVR. At that stage Euro 5 was not scheduled to apply until 2010. Only recently has 2008 been mooted.