TVR have teased their comeback for a while now, letting slip little details of what would make their new car something special. The brand has today revived the Griffith nameplate and revealed its new sports car – set to take on the world! Introducing the all-new TVR Griffith.
The design of the TVR Griffith is unmistakeable in following traditional brand design ethos, with a long protruding bonnet, low snout, and fastback tail. There’s an element of McLaren about the David Seesing-designed Griffith, particularly around the headlights – not a bad thing though to be fair. But there’s also a fair bit of new design that’s gone into this – though we’re assured it’s all functional.
Beneath that elongated bonnet, TVR has stuffed a 5.0-litre V8. It’s not a bespoke engine though; it’s a Ford Coyote engine – the same as the Mustang GT – that TVR ship to Cosworth for some final tweaking and tuning. They fit a bespoke clutch, flywheel, and dry sump lubrication, and then they fiddle with the tuning to eke out 480bhp, or 358kW. There’s no word yet on a torque output, but the 6-speed manual Tremec gearbox is rated to handle nearly 1000Nm – though it’s unlikely the figure will be that high.
Power goes directly to the rear wheels, helping ensure a 50/50 weight distribution for ideal balance. In addition, the TVR Griffith has a power to weight ratio of 400bhp/ton (298kW/ton), with a weight of 1200kg. Aiding that weight is extensive use of carbon fibre in the TVR Griffith’s construction – using Gordon Murray’s iStream carbon fibre manufacturing technology – which also improves structural rigidity.
Performance figures? You’re looking at a sub-4 second 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time and a top speed around the 320km/h mark.
Aiding agility, over and above the 50/50 weight distribution, are double wishbones front and rear, with adjustable coil-over dampers and concentric springs. The short dimensions should also make it incredibly nimble – if not snappy – measuring in at just 4 314mm in length – shorter than a Porsche 718 Cayman. Steering is handled by – for the first time ever in a TVR – electronically power assisted steering (EPAS), which should go down a treat with purists.
Stopping power comes courtesy of 370mm floating ventilated discs with six piston callipers up front, housed in 19-inch alloys wearing 235/35 rubber, and 350mm two-piece discs at the rear with four piston callipers, housed in 20-inch wheels shod with 275/30 profile tyres.
Unlike the old TVRs with no safety systems, European legislation mandates the inclusion of ABS brakes and a configurable traction control system on the TVR Griffith.
So there you have it, the dawn of a new era for TVR, and the TVR Griffith is the car with which they’re hoping to resurrect themselves.
A new era of TVR is about to begin… #gwsupercars pic.twitter.com/veZIihjS4X
— Goodwood Road&Racing (@GoodwoodRRC) September 8, 2017
