TVR

TVR was a British car manufacturer based in Blackpool, England. The name derives from the TVR name of the company founder Trevor Wilkinson from ( Trevor ). TVR produced lightweight sports cars, which are constructed of a steel tube frame with fiberglass body. As drive six-cylinder Ford engines and eight-cylinder engines from Rover are first used; since the 1990s they were increasingly replaced by own constructions of TVR. The automobile production came after a Russian investor had taken over the company, in the first years of the 21st century to a halt. The further fate of the traditional sports car manufacturer was uncertain for several years, until the owner finally put style operation in July 2012.

History

TVR under Wilkinson

TVR was founded in 1947 by a young engineer Trevor Wilkinson, who previously an extra-light special vehicle was built on a " Alvis Firebird " basis. The first vehicle with the constructed specially TVR tubular space frame chassis was - at that time with a Ford engine - built in 1949.

The initial sale in the United States took place in 1956, these were to TVR models with fiberglass body and " Coventry Climax " engines. In the following years the TVR Grantura was developed, which was very quick and agile for its time. Here, a simple construction scheme, which continues to this day developed: tubular space frame with a fiberglass body and a powerful engine.

In 1962, TVR part with two cars in the 24 -hour race at Sebring and Le Mans. The following year, the company's first TVR Griffith, who was actually a Grantura, with a modified chassis and a big American V8 under the hood. Presented The performance of this vehicle was moving in the AC Cobra League, could thus quite keep up with former Jaguars and Ferraris.

Growth from 1970: The Martin Lilley era

Under the leadership of Martin Lilley was the company that until 1966 had only two shareholders, stable. Over the next few years TVR learned an enormous company growth, not least because of the replacement of the Grantura by the Vixen and the Griffith through the Tuscan V8. 1970 TVR moved his production seat at the Bristol Avenue, the present location. The M- Series was introduced in 1972, which sold well in the 70s. The M was sold as a coupe, 3-door, Cabriolet and turbocharging, the Turbo M was the first British production car with a turbocharger. 1980, the Tasmin was presented, which looked much more modern in contrast to its predecessors. The power came from a Ford 2.8 - aggregate. There was to buy him both as a coupe and as a convertible.

The Peter Wheeler era

In 1982, Peter Wheeler, the company. He immediately began the development of the first motorized with a Rover V8 TVR, the 350i. A new chapter in the TVR story began five years later with the presentation of S. Although the S on the surface of the M- series was similar, it was a completely new car, the TVR - yearly output doubled due to its low price, in a short time. 1988 was presented as an evolution of the Tasmin 450 SEAC. It was powered by a 236.5 kW ( 324 hp), modified by TVR 4500 cc V8 and had a Kevlar body, through which you reached a weight saving of 150 kg.

The first TVR Tuscan Challenge was conducted in 1989 at Donington. The first modern Griffith was delivered in 1992. He was so successful that at its first motor show average every 8 minutes received an order. The following year, the TVR Chimaera went into production. He is considered the most popular TVR of all, because now more than 10,000 copies were built and sold.

The first TVR with a self-designed and built engine, the Cerbera, was introduced in 1996. Thanks to five years of development and two years of intense testing on the racetrack, the "Speed ​​Eight" engine, the highest performance and the highest torque at the lowest weight of all naturally aspirated engines ever built for a road vehicle.

TVR built in 1997 with the " Speed ​​Six " (a six-cylinder inline engine ) a second motor. We took advantage of employing the latest technologies from the world of motorsport. The following year, the mighty "Speed ​​Twelve", a third engine was built, launched with the TVR in the British GT1 class. The naturally aspirated engine with 7.7 liters develops 640 kW ( 880 hp).

After 2000 began deliveries of the new Tuscan, he quickly became the best-selling TVR ever. The Cerbera Speed ​​Twelve was presented as a racing version, which he had already in his first season import a victory at Silverstone. The Tamora was launched in 2001. He should win with his cheaper wider customer groups for TVR. A new generation of TVR coupe was presented at the 2002 " British International Motor Show." The T350, like the T400R and T440R, TVR bring in new market segments.

Turbulence under Smolenski

Peter Wheeler sold TVR in 2004 to the then 24 - year-old Russian businessman Nikolai Smolensky, but initially remained active as a consultant in the company. The Sagaris with 294 kW (400 hp) was introduced, a coupe based on the T350, the racing version should be used in endurance racing.

In 2006, there was some confusion about the future of the company. End of April 2006 declared Smolensky, first, that the production site Blackpool may be abandoned and the production to Eastern Europe, will eventually relocated to Smolenskis home country Russia. Other hand, in mid-June was from a fate of the company in the UK, the speech. In October 2006, however, Smolenski reiterated the relocation of the entire production to Eastern Europe. Then there was a protest ride from TVR owners through London.

Since the fall of 2006 rested production, and shortly afterwards, in December 2006, the TVR factory Blackpool Automotive was in receivership, provided a form of British insolvency law. In October 2007 it was announced that production will resume, with the final assembly should be done by Bertone in Italy. After failed takeover talks with two Americans Smolensky gave up in late 2007.

In Austria Smolensky 2008 was to build three prototypes of new models that were equipped with different engines, including a model with electric drive. The sale price was calculated according to the model 100000-120000 lbs. Smolenski was of the opinion that his company is not on the market would be able to exist with these prices. In July 2012, Smolensky finally announced the final out for TVR as an automobile manufacturer. He plans to use the brand name for future turbines.

In June 2013 British media reported unanimously that the naming rights were sold to TVR by the previous owner Smolenski to a British consortium led by the entrepreneur Les Edgar. In an interview with the car magazine Auto Express Edgar confirmed that the newly TVR Automotive Ltd.. the introduction of new models plane and owns the right to produce parts for existing vehicles. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Models

1 - Technically not a TVR model, but with TVR chassis and bodywork. 2 - never produced in series. 3 - only for racing