Discussion
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association, to whom I am sure TVR do NOT belong, have agreed with the EC, the following: no rigid bull bars after next year on new cars or as an after marker option, cumpulsory Running Lights by the end of 2002 and compulsory ABS on all new cars by the end of 2003.
I imagine this will become EC legislation in the fullness of time.
Will TVR be able to claim ''small manufacturers'' exemption''; are TVR a ''small manufacturer'' anymore?
Answers, on a beermat please, to P Wheeler Esq, TVR, Blackpool.
I must admit, I think TVR should get with the plan and introduce ABS and airbags to the cars. I mean it a fiesta has them, surely a 300-400 bhp car would need them more?
ABS has moved on loads since it was introduced and it no longer intrusive what's so ever. Airbags? - can't think of any reason not to have one - they save your life.
Surely these items aren't that expensive to introduce .. at least as an option.
Brakes are to stop you. My Tvr is jolly good at stopping me, better than my Jag with ABS whatever the conditions. Driver aids let drivers relax and can induce a false sense of security which is not a good Idea in a TVR, nor is it the point.
Airbags are a life saving device, however I think the TVR safety record speaks for itself, In all but the most severe accidents, the injuries sustained are minor. TVR make very strong cars, that will do more to save you than a forest of aids.
dans,
I have to dissagree with you here.
quote:I know brakes are v good on the TVR. I have a 933TT which has ABS , at no time what so ever does it give me a false sense of security. It does'nt effect your driving style what so ever, the only time it will come in handy is when you are coming around a corner at high speed in the wet and something is blocking your way you you react instantly by stamping on the brakes. Now you probably have 1-2 second maximum to avoid said object. I don't care how much someone claims how good there cadence braking is it will NEVER be as good as a computer doing it. Sorry but I think there's no excuse for having a good ABS not fitted to high performance cars. It could save your/someone else life. It definitly does not make you drive any different.
Brakes are to stop you. My Tvr is jolly good at stopping me, better than my Jag with ABS whatever the conditions. Driver aids let drivers relax and can induce a false sense of security which is not a good Idea in a TVR, nor is it the point.
quote:How can an airbags not help in a accident at 90 mph? I'm sorry but its got to help ALOT at high speeds.
Airbags are a life saving device, however I think the TVR safety record speaks for itself, In all but the most severe accidents, the injuries sustained are minor. TVR make very strong cars, that will do more to save you than a forest of aids.
I have to say the one thing I think my Chimaera Needs is ABS. I don`t think they stop well enough considering the power they have, and at the end of the day Cadence (sp?) braking is all well and good but if I need to stop quickly will I do it or just stomp the brake pedal through the floor ?
My BMW had ABS and it felt quite safe and it did encourage me to drive a bit closer to the car in front and to stop a little later that I would normally, the same is true for the missus` MR2 cause I am more confident in stopping cleanly in the wet thanks to ABS.
ABS in my Elise - yes please when the road is wet, but no thanks when road is dry. It'd not help on the odd track day though would it?
An airbag? I don't think you'd move too much in an Elise in an accident, there's no space! Did you see the James Bond film where he had a snowsuit on & pulled a button & it blew up a big sort of beach ball around him to cushion him form an avalanche? - one of those would be more useful
CJ
As an imperfect driver (and many of us are, judging by insurance premiums for TVRs) I would like to see ABS fitted to all TVR models. We live in a world full of imperfect roads, weather conditions and other drivers.
Most of us who drive our cars hard know the limits of our brakes, but are also human. When the old duffer in the metro arrives 10 yds ahead, out of a blind turning (without looking) then most people will panic. Even the best driver is sometimes distracted or tied and can also make a mistake. Airbags are another great help in living long enough to learn by your mistakes.
ABS can help to stop a mistake becomming an accident. It can also reduce an unavoidable crash from a dead driver to only a dead car.
I also strongly believe that you should be able to turn ABS off. Track days are a thrilling way to test your driving skills (or lack of them). I just don't want to have to rely on my reactions at 5am on a wet Wednesday in S****horpe!
.>>> Driver aids let drivers relax and can induce a false sense of security which is not a good Idea in a TVR, nor is it the point.
>>>>My BMW had ABS and it felt quite safe and it did encourage me to drive a bit closer to the car in front and to stop a little later that I would normally, the same is true for the missus` MR2 cause I am more confident in stopping cleanly in the wet thanks to ABS
I hate to say it Jason but I think you've just proved Dans point....
I would respectfully suggest to anyone who wants ABS on their TVR to lobby Peter Wheeler for it to be available as an option. Personally after driving a Cerbera and scaring myself half witless I think it is a good idea to have a switchable option so that you can turn it off when you don't want it, i.e. on dry days and track days. Because as we all know on a dry road in a straight line a car stops faster WITHOUT abs. I'd tend to leave it on though, for obvious reasons.
TVR have never stood in the way of progress, conversely they have set the pace but on this point I think it is about time it was introduced for those who want it. Otherwise they'll become like Morgan - and much as I love Moggies, there is only room for one.
Jason F,
Ok, I'll admit that for some people is obviously does effect there driving, but its only because they are more confident in stopping, than if they did'nt have ABS. Personally I drive just as carefull as if I did'nt have it (like in my last Elise).
The point thought that I was just making was I think its a good idea ot have it rather than not, as (for the majority) it will only help. (And yes - definitly be able to turn it off for track days 
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