We know about the rumors that TVR’s coupe would feature a V8 with an output of 480bhp, but we had no idea its first prototype would be ready this soon. Unveiled at the Goodwood Revival, the tiny sports car reminds us of a Ginetta in its proportions, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Under the bonnet is a Ford 5.0-litre quad-cam V8 taken from the Mustang, and it links to a six-speed Tremec gearbox.
The body of the test mule, rendered here in an older image that was released to the general media, is carbonfibre for lightness and a reduced centre of gravity. Inner carbonfibre panels will be bonded to a steel frame to offer massive rigidity and crash safety. The outside is designed for aerodynamic correctness and will even use ground-effect downforce. Nice. The interior has fewer frills, we’re told, but will still be high-quality. For the £90,000 or so that the ‘launch edition’ will cost, TVR is focusing on delivering maximum bang for each customer’s buck. With dry weight targeted at 1200-1250kg and an ideal power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne, that means an output of around 480bhp from the tweaked V8.
Suggestions have been made that it could be broadly similar in performance terms to the McLaren 570S, which we admit we raised an eyebrow at. Helping it will be 270-section 20-inch rear tyres and a wide platform, with wider front and rear tracks than the 570S despite a 70mm shorter wheelbase and 65mm less overall width. At just over 4.3 metres, the as-yet unnamed two-seat TVR, which will be launched in a special mystery colour, is shorter than a Ford Focus hatchback. Should be pretty damn lively, then…
