Engineering news
Iconic British car brand TVR is to return to the market with a new British designed and built two-seat sports car.
TVR's owners have been working on the vehicle for a year in association with Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth, who are providing the core design and engineering capability.
The car will have a composite ground effect aero chassis and body package, and will feature TVR's traditional front engine with rear wheel drive and a manual transmission, powered by a normally aspirated, dry-sumped, V8 Cosworth engine.
TVR said it would issue more specification details and early images later in 2015, but confirmed that the car would be built using Gordon Murray Design’s iStream technology, a simplified assembly process that means that the manufacturing plant could be designed to be 20% of the size of a conventional factory. This could reduce capital investment in the assembly plant by approximately 80%, said TVR.
Les Edgar, chairman of TVR said: “We know that a new TVR has to be better than just good – it has to be outstanding. From the outset we only wanted to work with the best partners in the business, and both Gordon Murray’s and Cosworth’s track records within motor sport and high performance car design and engineering speaks for themselves. Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth are the perfect partners for TVR and together, we will deliver a truly exceptional new car.”
Production of the car will begin in 2017 from a UK factory.
Gordon Murray, chairman of Gordon Murray Design, said: “TVR is an iconic brand which has been an important part of British sports car manufacturing for many decades. Its return to manufacturing is an exciting development and the car deserves the best chassis and powertrain that can possibly be delivered. To that end, I am delighted that our company is involved with the project.”
Bruce Wood, Cosworth technical director, said: “Our team has been working to develop a powertrain solution that perfectly complements the exceptional performance characteristics of the new car. It’s an exciting project and one which well suits Cosworth’s engineering expertise.”
TVR was established in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson and established itself as a leading light in the British low-volume sports car market, building an international reputation for high-performance vehicles and innovative design. The current management team acquired the brand in 2013.
Edgar added: “We are a well-funded, well-supported organisation and boast a vastly experienced management team. We are here to stay and we have a fully evolved ten year plan for product and business development, and are committed to deliver on all the targets we have set ourselves - as we have done to date.
“Despite very deliberately maintaining a low profile since completing the acquisition of TVR two years ago, we have had an enormous amount of unsolicited interest from businesses, individuals and investors internationally. Such is the strength of the brand and the passion of its followers. It is a real privilege to be a part of the revival of a great British marque - one that will succeed through our single-minded desire to produce exceptional sports cars."