The TVR is Back and We Like It!

Automologist MAC welcomes TVR resurrection, and its first offering isn't too shabby.

Growing up in the UK’s motorsport world as I did in the 70’s, you could always count on a small, almost boutique manufacturer from Blackpool, England called TVR to come up with some of the most stupidly overpowered creations that were more about unruly high performance, sideways into a corner, and frankly challenging ownership experience. In short, TVR was very much the hooligan of the performance world.

Well, it is back and it is time to introduce you to the all-new 21st century TVR Griffith. And according to the press releases, looks like it has thrown decorum out the window again.

TVR is now under new management ever since Les Edgar, a wealthy internet entrepreneur, took control of the company from the Russians in 2013, and this time they seem to have a plan and the money to back it. The first offering is the all-new Griffith, a name that lives long in the history of TVR, and it makes sense that such a legendary name should be dusted off and given the chance to strut its stuff once again.

It is just stunning, with its exhausts coming out the sides and artistic front wheel arches and aerodynamically curved body. Yup, looks like the new boys at TVR are cooking with the same recipe. This shouldn’t surprise you, though, as Les Edgar is a self-confessed TVR addict. Under the hood is a 5-litre V8 Ford Mustang engine, but for the Griffith, this has been given the Cosworth treatment to deliver more acceptable levels of power and torque, and to include a dry sump to improve the cars centre of gravity. The engine has also been positioned behind the front axle, making a 50:50 weight distribution possible.

Don’t think there will be any automatic versions anytime soon either, as the engine has been mated to the Tremec Magnum six-speed manual box; even that sounds particularly hairy chested. The car is largely carbon fibre, the first to use the Gordon Murray Designs iStream technology, and as a result, has a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne—good enough to get the car over the magic 200 miles per hour mark. Can’t wait to see it.