Wow! This is only the greatest news in the universe. Not only does the upcoming sports car from the revived TVR use McLaren F1 impresario Gordon Murray’s iStream construction, but it also has a dry-sump Cosworth V8 up front, linked to a manual transmission. I’ve already started saving up.
The first new TVR will be a two-seater with a composite ground effect aero chassis and a naturally-aspirated, dry-sump Cosworth V8. Production will begin in 2017 in the UK, and TVR Chairman Les Edgar says it will be offered to the market at a competitive price point within its segment and consistent with TVR’s positioning in the past.
While we reported earlier that TVR’s new management lacks experience as far as the car industry goes, and it seems that Edgar knows what he is on about:
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.
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.
Gordon Murray, the professor responsible for the very fast object above had this to add:
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, and that TVR are using our iStream® technology.
Bruce Wood, the Technical Director of Cosworth - the engineering firm with 176 Formula One wins on its belt - is also happy about being part of this project:
We are proud to see Cosworth’s industry-leading engineering at the heart of the revived TVR brand. Our team has been working closely with TVR and Gordon Murray Design 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.
More specification details and early images are soon to follow, but TVR is set to launch at least four new models in the next decade.
More as we have it!
Pictured above: A 2006 TVR Tuscan
Contact the author at mate@jalopnik.com.