It’s been two years in the making, but TVR has finally returned with a brand new sports car. The Griffith, named after previous models built in ’60s and ’90s, was unveiled at the Goodwood Revival over the weekend to celebrate the Blackpool brand’s 70th anniversary.
The new car is a two-door coupé with typical long bonnet, short tail proportions. Giving it an aggressive look are triangular headlights and a trapezoidal central grille, while large vents aft of the front wheels hide side-exit exhausts. At the rear, a pop-up spoiler and a massive diffuser form part of a ground effect aerodynamic package that also includes a completely flat floor.
Inside sits a minimalist cabin featuring a portrait-format infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster flanked by a pack of round switches on either side. Some of the switchgear, such as the indicator and wiper stalks as well as the round air vents, have been taken from a Ford Fiesta, but the three-spoke steering wheel and stubby gearlever appear to be bespoke.
So far, so traditional British sports car – classic square-jawed good looks on the outside, carryover supermini switchgear on the inside – but what’s revolutionary is under the skin. The Griffith is the first production car to utilise the iStream technology developed by legendary F1 designer Gordon Murray – the same person who helped develop the McLaren F1.
A steel and aluminium frame is bonded with carbon composite components and clad in carbon body panels, reducing weight and simplifying production, as well as ensuring a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Sitting at the front of the car is the Ford Mustang‘s 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated Coyote V8, redeveloped by Cosworth with a dry sump and other enhancements.
The company gives a power-to-weight ratio of 400 hp per tonne, which – given the fact that the car has a claimed weight of 1,250 kg – should translate to a power output of around 500 hp. A good ol’ Tremec Magnum six-speed manual transmission sends all that power to the rear wheels, resulting in a zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of under four seconds and a top speed of over 320 km/h.
Also announced is a Launch Edition with custom alloy wheels, a full leather interior, unique paint options and extra kit at a lower starting price of £90,000 (RM498,000). Just 500 of these cars will be built, with production slated to begin at the end of next year.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
One of the “dead” UK brands being revived with hardly any soul left in it.
There is too much inspiration from the toyota FT-1 concept car which makes it look derivative. The blunt front looks mismatched with the sharp creases of the rear while other areas look very bland. It would be great if it looks more like the TVR Sagaris, which IMO is the most beautiful TVR ever.
This is nice
Dodge Viper body design ….
And yet TVR has to compete in the New Automotive World Order where cars are becoming even more soulless than ever.
Fugly Super car.Yak…..
Mini McClaren P1?
Tell me, how many McLaren P1’s are sold worldwide despite all the English media boo hah? Definitely not enough to make it a serious contender. Truth be said, English make cars for their hearts. Which is not a bad thing. Unfortunately, nobody else in the world has English hearts. Not even the Scots or the Irish! When Brexit really comes into effect in 2019, British car companies which are not global players will surely be destroyed.
The ONLY English companies that are selling well and continue to sell well post Brexit will be the ones with the ability to start production lines outside of the UK, namely Jaguar/Land Rover – Tata owned, Rolls Royce/Mini – BMW owned and Bentley – VW owned.
This kind of small volume cars look GREAT at first glance.
Then when you own one, you rarely drive it because 10 times out of 10, there are some impracticalities that drive you up the wall.
They just don’t have time and manpower for the engineering and ergonomics studies. Pick any supercar. Sure have some stupid impracticality. From funky switches to zero storage. Even higher volume cars. Cayman cannot fit golf bag. Toyota MR-S can’t even fit normal bag. Some Lotus have strange footwell, have to contort your leg.
And this TVR… one quick look, and the driver’s aircon vents just going to freeze your fingers, not cool you down.