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TVR Tamora
You''ve heard the hype, seen the photos; maybe you''ve read reviews of the early development model. But now the moment that the world has been...
[binned]waiting for has finally arrived - the first production-cleared TVR Tamora is ready to roll, and Auto Express was on hand to put it through its paces.
Following in the footsteps of the awesome Tuscan, the £36,500 Tamora is the latest of a new breed of TVRs designed to appeal to a broader base of sports car enthusiasts. More specifically, the two-seater convertible was created to take on Porsche''s Boxster S, Mercedes'' SLK and Audi''s TT in the lucrative mid-priced roadster market.
To do so, chairman Peter Wheeler knew it would need to be more affordable and - most importantly - more accessible than any TVR before it. The result is a car that shares the Tuscan''s tubular steel chassis, but which has shorter body overhangs, a de-tuned engine and smaller, higher-profile tyres.
Not that the newcomer lacks visual impact. From head-on, the Tamora''s design has a distinctly predatory feel to it, the tiny, nostril-shaped foglamps and indicators combining with the gill-like openings in the bonnet to give the TVR a facial expression not unlike that of a hammerhead shark. And while that bulbous rear end could never be described as beautiful, clever detailing such as the Lotus 340R-esque twin-exit exhaust silencer and bookshelf-sized lower diffuser leaves anyone in its wake in absolutely no doubt that this is one seriously fast machine.
As with most TVRs, the Tamora is also surprisingly practical. The plastic rear screen simply folds by hand into a recess behind the seats, allowing the canvas middle section to be lifted out and stowed vertically in the boot, in much the same way as the company''s Griffith and Chimaera models. But even with this in place, there''s enough usable space left to accommodate several large travel bags. As befitting its so-called ''entry-level'' status, the TVR has a more minimalist, less futuristic cabin than the Tuscan, with the rev counter and speedo housed in a traditional twin-dial binnacle instead of the Tuscan''s analogue and digital set-up. The electric window buttons are also far more logically positioned, next to the interior door releases either side of the stereo, while the aluminium switchgear - which the firm confidently assures us is ''the most expensive in the world'' - also feels great to the touch. When combined with the soft-touch materials and hand-stitched leather dashboard, this conveys an impression of quality the like of which has not been seen before in a TVR. The car also boasts one of the finest driving positions we''ve ever experienced, with sculpted leather seats that hug the body to within a few centimetres of the floorpan.
The Tamora uses a shorter stroke, 3.6-litre version of the mighty Tuscan''s all-alloy straight-six powerplant, which pumps out 350bhp at 7,200rpm and 393Nm of torque at 5,500rpm - some 28Nm less than its bigger-engined sibling. The benefits of this deficit quickly become apparent, especially in wet conditions. Keep the engine below 4,000rpm and the car is actually quite well behaved. Potent? Yes. Responsive? Yes. The clutch and steering are also much lighter than before, making the Tamora less tiring to drive on congested urban roads, although the steer-ing could do with more lock to aid manoeuvrability when parking.
Just as you start thinking that the boys from Blackpool have gone soft on us, the tachometer needle nudges past the 5,000rpm mark. The resulting wave of acceleration lunges the car forward as the six-cylinder powerplant emits a deep, ear-drum-rattling howl. Keep your foot to the floor and the third and final shift light doesn''t blink into life until a giddy 8,000rpm, indicating that it''s time to push the five-speed box''s weighty, well oiled gear-lever into the next available slot.
Despite all the manufacturer''s talk of ''user-friendliness'' and ''entry-level'' models, the Tamora is a fearsomely fast motor. A kerbweight of only 1,050kg gives the British roadster a Ferrari 360 Modena-bashing power-to-weight ratio of 338bhp per tonne - borne out by its 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 160mph.
The Tamora''s double wishbone suspension fills dips and crests superbly, allowing you to flow smoothly from corner to corner regardless of the road conditions. It doesn''t just ride well, either; with the roof down, both road noise and buffeting are surprisingly acceptable for such a focused machine. From the lightning-quick steering to the floor-mounted pedals and ultra-rigid chassis, the Tamora is a class act: grippy, stable and reassuringly well sorted. However, we would offer one word of warning: take too many liberties with your cornering speed and you''d better be prepared to practise your opposite lock skills.
With 350bhp on tap and no traction control, anti-lock brakes or other standard safety features to speak of, the Tamora is a car that demands to be treated with a great deal of respect. But then, we Brits do prefer our beef a little bit on the mad side.
Replacing the legendary Griffith was never going to be easy, but with the Tamora TVR looks to have a huge hit on its hands. Striking to look at, easier to drive and better built than its predecessors, the car brings the thrills of TVR ownership to a new market. At £36,500, it''s also great value for money compared to rivals - yet retains that raw quality that is so integral to the marque''s appeal.
At a glance
*Entry-level TVR costs £36,500 and goes on sale in November
*3.6-litre straight-six unit has 350bhp and 393Nm of torque
*Sprints from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds; top speed of 160mph
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In respect of their copyright, please read it at www.autoexpress.co.uk
Funny the first review that mentions that it doesnt have ABS, Traction Control, EBD or whatever, and doesnt criticise it. Almost all of the other reviews I have seen have singled out the fact that it doesnt have "driver aids" and therefore it is bad.
Are we all that bad at driving that we need these? Dont know about anyone else, but I have owned 5 cars with ABS and only once have I had the mis-fortune to ever need it. As for EBD (electronic brake distribution) on my old A4 2.4 - sort out the handling and you would never need it!
Then again what do I know, I dont make them.
Are we all that bad at driving that we need these? Dont know about anyone else, but I have owned 5 cars with ABS and only once have I had the mis-fortune to ever need it. As for EBD (electronic brake distribution) on my old A4 2.4 - sort out the handling and you would never need it!
Then again what do I know, I dont make them.
ABS does allow you to steer in panic situations when you bang the brakes on - if you have the presence of mind in those split seconds! ABS didn't stop my Corrado going sideways into a wall at 40mph whilst negotiating a clear, dry bend 2 years ago, but overall it probably is a safety option. But, in the end, you pays yer money and makes yer choice - the upsides of TVR ownership and driving far outweigh these points. Incidentally, Channel 4 online's review of Tamora marked it down through lack of standard sat- nav system... Oh, dear must cancel my order. If you need one,. it's only £1500 or so....
Mike, I'm waiting with baited breath to hear from my bank - they said I should get the cash today, and I'm just waiting for that, before I go for it! I know what colours etc I want, and hopefully I will arrange a factory tour on the 9/10/11 th Nov, 'cos I'm off work for a week.
According to the TMS website, orders now are expected to have January delivery dates, so more waiting ahead!
Edited by nubbin on Tuesday 23 October 22:32
According to the TMS website, orders now are expected to have January delivery dates, so more waiting ahead!
Edited by nubbin on Tuesday 23 October 22:32
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