TVR 'Changing Direction'?
Discussion
TVR used to be a car manufacturer that shoe horned off the shelf big engines into fiber glass bodies, and filled the other spaces left with off the shelf parts. This led to cheap, reliable, fast as f*ck motoring. The idea of a 5L tuned v8 is enough to get any motorsport enthusiast into a sweat.
My 4l Chimp is great fun, comutes to London in traffic with no problems and makes me smile like a Chessier(sp?) cat when the roads are dry and empty (or full of mr2's, Cosworths, V6 Vectra's all wanting a piece).
But...
Are TVR changing direction, has Peter Wheeler got a master plan?
The new Tuscan and Tamora contain TVR built engines. The Griffith has (or almost) completed its production life cycle. The Chimaera is probably close to follow, with that ending the era of the Rover engine.
I am not a Ludite and know change happens, The Rover was first built in '63 (I think) so a replacement is probably needed, but can TVR manage this with a smooth transition to the speed 6?
Why the move away from (in comparison) monster engines, when talking about TVR's I think about 5L V8's burbling along, not 3.6L V6's (no offence to the new owners of the gorgeous Tamoras)?
Why has the Tuscan reduced the size (and importance!) of the Rev Counter? If I had the choice I would rather lose the speedo.
I guess its down to TVR maturing, trying to be a complete car producer, looking to appeal to a wider audience, but if I said I wasn't concerned about its current direction, I would be lieing.
To be selfish, I don't want it to appeal to the wider audience. I want it to scare the faint hearted off, a myth told by parents to kids at bedtime. To be branded 'Slippery when wet'
For TVR's future I believe they are right in making this move, but my concern its that when I upgrade I am only going to have one option, the 4.5L AJP8.
[rant over/]
My 4l Chimp is great fun, comutes to London in traffic with no problems and makes me smile like a Chessier(sp?) cat when the roads are dry and empty (or full of mr2's, Cosworths, V6 Vectra's all wanting a piece).
But...
Are TVR changing direction, has Peter Wheeler got a master plan?
The new Tuscan and Tamora contain TVR built engines. The Griffith has (or almost) completed its production life cycle. The Chimaera is probably close to follow, with that ending the era of the Rover engine.
I am not a Ludite and know change happens, The Rover was first built in '63 (I think) so a replacement is probably needed, but can TVR manage this with a smooth transition to the speed 6?
Why the move away from (in comparison) monster engines, when talking about TVR's I think about 5L V8's burbling along, not 3.6L V6's (no offence to the new owners of the gorgeous Tamoras)?
Why has the Tuscan reduced the size (and importance!) of the Rev Counter? If I had the choice I would rather lose the speedo.
I guess its down to TVR maturing, trying to be a complete car producer, looking to appeal to a wider audience, but if I said I wasn't concerned about its current direction, I would be lieing.
To be selfish, I don't want it to appeal to the wider audience. I want it to scare the faint hearted off, a myth told by parents to kids at bedtime. To be branded 'Slippery when wet'
For TVR's future I believe they are right in making this move, but my concern its that when I upgrade I am only going to have one option, the 4.5L AJP8.
[rant over/]
Would suggest that the potential demise of the Rover V8 maybe a move due to potential emission laws from the EU nerds and costs to meet these. Sad case of economics even though the Rover V8 is a beautiful engine to work on and drive.
However with the new technology available I believe Mr Wheeler has done a fantastic job on the new TVR engines, it has suffered problems the V8s seem to weather better than the 6s but I believe this was a quality issue when components were outsourced. Anyway problems aside (Ever the optimist with my Cerb at the garage) the modular engine design has allowed the V8, straight 6 and even V12 variants.
I do not believe TVR are aiming for the masses if they are then they would be heading over the pond to the US, this will take a huge amount of investment to meet emission laws etc, plus from an economic factor and potential downturn I believe TVR are consolidating their business by using a flexible designed engine that will carry them through the next number of years and minimise their costs. The down side quite rightly pointed out is the demise of the lovely Rover V8 though options exist by default there maybe no new burbling Rover V 8 but Howling (Loudly) Cerb V8s and sixes.
However with the new technology available I believe Mr Wheeler has done a fantastic job on the new TVR engines, it has suffered problems the V8s seem to weather better than the 6s but I believe this was a quality issue when components were outsourced. Anyway problems aside (Ever the optimist with my Cerb at the garage) the modular engine design has allowed the V8, straight 6 and even V12 variants.
I do not believe TVR are aiming for the masses if they are then they would be heading over the pond to the US, this will take a huge amount of investment to meet emission laws etc, plus from an economic factor and potential downturn I believe TVR are consolidating their business by using a flexible designed engine that will carry them through the next number of years and minimise their costs. The down side quite rightly pointed out is the demise of the lovely Rover V8 though options exist by default there maybe no new burbling Rover V 8 but Howling (Loudly) Cerb V8s and sixes.
The V8 demise is sad, but, have a look at the EVO CD, from January's issue. There's just a sample of the potential noise from the Tamora straight 6, a couple of gorgeous rasping downchanges, and it does sound good! It's not a V8, but it's a cracking noise, and bloody loud, too!! Trouble is the Tamora is so new that no-one has had a chance to really give it full revs, and report on the noise. But mine arrives soon, and I will be giving it large ASAP!! 
In some respects I agree with you V8 lonvin people they do sound bloody good, but I have to say having driven a few TVR s (My dad owns a dealer ship and I get to go to track days at the age of 18!!! Yes I am that lucky) and my preference is the Tuscan s at full tilt all tree gear light flashing at you, that is what I call a great sound, it gets right in side your head. But i suppose at 18 i have a lot to learn.
PS am not a total boy racer..
PS am not a total boy racer..
yer sorry about that US man I was very tired when i signed up and I am a fair bit dyslexic, go on take the piss I have herd all the funny jokes any way. Have u ever seen a TVR in the flesh incidentally. Although you have the last laugh with the weather in the good old US of A.
And did sordfish help TVR at all over there?
Good one about the school and your mum very funny…I hope.
And did sordfish help TVR at all over there?
Good one about the school and your mum very funny…I hope.
I came to the US about 3 years ago, and I was back about a year ago for a holiday... the last time I saw a TVR was at Harrogate Horseless carriages, and in particular i was looking at the Tuscan you had there.
I'm not kidding about the school, my mum works there, and if your dad does own HHC, you should know what its called...
Alternatively, what school did you go to? I grew up in Harrogate and Knaresborough and know the secondary schools there.
Swordfish didn't help much, cos TVR apparently made no effort to follow up on the publicity over here... and it's a bit late now.
Steve
I'm not kidding about the school, my mum works there, and if your dad does own HHC, you should know what its called...
Alternatively, what school did you go to? I grew up in Harrogate and Knaresborough and know the secondary schools there.
Swordfish didn't help much, cos TVR apparently made no effort to follow up on the publicity over here... and it's a bit late now.
Steve
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff