TVR CAR CLUB
  • Home
  • News
  • Shop
    • Enter Shop
    • Memberships
    • Official TVR Branded Merchandise
    • T-Shirts >
      • New Logo T-shirts
      • Classic 80's Logo T-shirts
    • Clothing >
      • New 2021 Logo Clothing
      • Caps & Hats
      • Ladies & Junior Clothing
      • Classic 80's Logo Clothing
    • Mugs
    • Posters
    • Gifts
    • Bags
    • Fire Safety Sticks
    • Garage Products
    • Events
    • TVRs for sale
  • Events
    • Events Calendar (Public)
    • National Events (Members)
  • Find out about:
    • The TVRCC
    • Why you should join
    • TVR
    • Regions >
      • UK Regions
      • International Regions
      • Region Details update
    • The TVR Models >
      • Early TVRs
      • TVR Grantura
      • TVR Vixen
      • TVR Griffith (early)
      • TVR Tuscan (early)
      • TVR M series
      • TVR Tasmin / Wedges
      • TVR S Series
      • TVR Tuscan Racer
      • TVR Griffith
      • TVR Chimaera
      • TVR Cerbera
      • TVR Speed 12
      • TVR Tuscan
      • TVR Tamora
      • TVR T350
      • TVR Sagaris
      • TVR Typhon / T400 / T440
      • TVR Prototypes
      • TVR Griffith LE 2017
    • Sprint Magazine >
      • In Sprint
      • Photo Competition Winners
      • Photo Competition
    • TVR Motorsport
    • TVR Motorsport History
    • TVR Colours
    • Classifieds
  • Members Area:
    • TVRCC Forums
    • National Members Events >
      • National Members Events Calendar
      • NEC Classic & Sportscar Show
      • Le Mans Classic
      • Pre 80s Extravaganza
    • TVRs in print
    • Digital Sprint Magazines
    • Archives >
      • Archives - Brochures
      • Archives - Factory
      • Archives - Pre M
      • Archives - M Series
      • Archives - Tasmin Wedge
      • Archives - Tuscan Racer
      • Archives - S Series
      • Archives - Griffith
      • Archives - Cerbera
      • Archives - Chimaera
      • Archives - T350
      • Archives - Tamora
      • Archives - Tuscan
      • Archives - Sagaris
      • Archives - Prototypes
      • Archives - Rover V8
      • Archives - Miscellaneous
      • Add to Archives
    • Technical >
      • Technical - Pre-M Series
      • Technical - M Series
      • Technical - Wedges
      • Technical - S Series
      • Technical - Chimaera
      • Technical - Griffith
      • Technical - Cerbera
      • Technical - Sagaris
      • Technical - Speed Six
      • Technical - T350
      • Technical - Tuscan
      • Technical - Tamora
    • Committee >
      • Minutes & accounts
      • Chairman
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Editor
      • Deputy Editor
      • IT Manager
      • Events Manager
      • Events Team
      • Competition Secretary
      • RO Co-ordinator
      • Sales Manager
      • Marketing Communications
      • Office Manager
      • Website Designer
      • Magazine Designer
    • Travel Tours >
      • Scenic and Continental Car Tours
      • Drive Espana
      • Fast Track Tours
      • Organise Your Own Tour
    • Benefits
    • Insurance
    • Valuations
    • Trade links >
      • TVR Dealers
      • Bodywork Servicing Repairs
    • RO Resources >
      • Organised Runs
      • RO handbook
      • Regional Websites & Emails
      • Region website update request
      • Forum Rules & Guidelines
      • Naming and shaming policy
      • Authorised Logos
      • Region Contact Details Change Form
      • Region Events Form
      • Region Business Card Order Form
    • Logout
  • Contact Us

NEWS

Latest, comprehensive, update from TVR.

27/10/2018

 
Picture
Big News
“Electric cars may not be the solution to global warming” (resident of Drax, N.Yorks.).
“Autonomous cars may be dangerous and boring” (unnamed source from TVR).
“Shock, Horror - Making a great sportscar takes longer and costs more than first thought” (Car Research And Progress Society).
“New TVR costs Less than others to build, but a bit More than we first thought, so Less is More” (same unnamed source from TVR).
Well, the ‘Big News’ we are working on, as alluded to in our last update, is not quite ready to be divulged just yet – sorry, the best laid plans and all that! We are working as hard as we can, and please rest assured that we will share just the minute we can. In the meantime, we felt it best to get this update out now rather than wait any longer.

It’s a truism that things always take longer and cost more than first thought. The rebirth of TVR is no exception. There have been a number of factors that have delayed us, some of which I have previously mentioned. These include the arrival of the new Coyote engine, meaning significant extra (duplicated) work; the hold up with the main factory due to EU regulations requiring a lengthy tendering process EU-wide for the work to be carried out - the Welsh Government are bound by the EU rules in this respect (for the moment at least!); changes to EU regulations governing emissions etc. (we still intend to force our EU cousins to enjoy themselves!) for the medium term which makes homologation more of a challenge, meaning an increase in development costs, and the inevitable impact on timing. However, it’s critical that we make sure the car is not only fit for purpose out of the box, but has a life-span without the need for major modifications in the medium term. On top of all of that, Brexit continues to have an impact on the industry outlook, although happily less so in the niche car market compared to the more mass-market manufacturers.

On top of all the above, we have been presented with a couple of very significant and exciting opportunities that will hugely expand our overall business plan and guarantee not only our short-term success, but also ensure that our 10-year plan can be delivered while enabling us to grow far faster than we ever envisaged when we embarked on this journey – in terms of model platforms, territories, and sales volumes. We are in discussions with a couple of major potential partners in this respect, and will share the news when we are able to, and meanwhile make no apology for ensuring we don’t trip over our shoelaces in finalising what will be the most important deal in the history of TVR, by a huge factor.

Large Box in Wales
Things are progressing with the factory and training units albeit (again!) more slowly than hoped and expected, BUT we can now give you the time line for completion of the works on the refurbishment. We have had confirmation from the Welsh Government that the refurbishment contract (following the recent completion of the 7-month tender process required by the EU) is expected to be awarded to the successful candidate in the coming weeks in readiness for a January 2019 start on site. The refurbishment of the landlord’s ‘shell’ should take approximately 6 months to complete, which will be dovetailed in with our fit-out works. We will be providing updates on progress, including pictures and video, on a regular basis as the works progress. Meanwhile a few are attached of ‘Ground Base Zero’, showing the car in the factory in its raw state following completion of initial clearance works – just needs a lick of paint really, oh, and a coffee machine.

Additionally, the works to complete the smaller training, test and prototype build facility are well under way, and Blaenau Gwent local council have now given us a completion / handover date for this facility of March 2019. It remains an option to complete customer builds in this facility should there be any delays to the main factory programme, although we have no reason to believe that that should prove to be the case.

TVR Griffith testing
Car
We have continued with work on the mules and, in particular, with increasing emphasis on the full prototype car. As you know, we are engaged in a serious circuit testing programme, including high speed tyre testing with our partners at AVON. I can tell you that the new tyre compound specially formulated for us by AVON is absolutely fantastic. Bench-tested at over 230mph (and by us at something getting on towards that figure!), the special-compound tyre proudly bears the TVR logo as well as the Union flag. The tread design is particularly efficient at water displacement and the additional grip over the earlier versions is enormous, in both the wet and in the dry. We couldn’t ask for better partners in developing our rubberwear – the unique characteristics of the car (high power / low weight / high downforce and consequent huge lateral grip) brings a unique set of challenges, to which the team at AVON have risen magnificently. It perhaps also bears mentioning that we will be able to keep them to a very sensible price, which is a pretty remarkable achievement considering the amount of bespoke R&D work that has been invested in them.

Anyway, enough talking about it – a picture is worth a thousand words, as they say, and a film is worth a thousand pictures (as we say!) so we’ve taken the opportunity to take some film of some of the activities, and you can get a feel for how the car is performing from the video sequence below - enjoy! (remember to turn your volume up high!)

By the way, we have engaged with a film production company to document the rebirth of TVR – following the progress from blank sheet of paper to the first cars rolling off the production line. Interest from the main-stream TV channels, domestic and international is high. The video excerpt linked-to represents a small montage of some of the Castle Combe on-track action.

Additionally, we have been testing various diff/gear-ratio combinations to ensure the car takes off like a scalded cat, without compromising top end performance – it does! It’s amazing how things like this can only be got ‘just so’ by real-world testing in a variety of conditions – as with things like the seating buck that we had hewn from wood by GMD at the outset of the journey, CAD and simulation is great, but by no means a total replacement for the ‘Mark 1 eyeball’ and proper seat of the pants empirical testing and development.

We’ve had quite a lot of enquiries regarding ground clearance on the car and happily it’s something we’ve not only thought about, but got right given the car’s daily usability; normally on a sportscar of this ilk clearance can be a challenge, even on the most gentle of speed humps, pavement crossovers, car park ramps etc.. Please see the diagram below which illustrates clearance and approach angles – a lot better than most sportscars I’ve owned.
TVR Griffith ground clearance
TVR Griffith ground clearance
In parallel with all of the above, we are working hard with our suppliers to complete all the necessary supply chain logistics. The majority of the key components have now been sourced, and terms with suppliers are beginning to fall into place. Some components are proving a little more challenging to pin down and we are working to find solutions – nothing insurmountable though. Overall, we are approximately 75% complete on the journey of finalising specifications and sources for the complete Bill of Materials.

We attended the TopCats event in Aylesbury last weekend and hats off to Warren and Charlotte for an extremely good day indeed. I had the pleasure of taking the famed ‘Shmee’ out for a short burst around the estate in the Griff and, other than a very close encounter with some of the largest pot-holes in the Northern Hemisphere, it was great to be able to open her up; Shmee is a depositor and I think (without stealing any thunder from a no doubt soon to be aired Vlog!) it’s fair to say he loved the car!.

TopCats put on a really great display of some of their work in progress projects (impressive!) together with previous performance upgrade examples kindly brought along by their owners. A large and pleasingly diverse selection of TVRs were present, including a very nice pair of wedges (400 and 450) and we had a chance to speak to a good number of depositors and others on the day – many thanks to all for all the feedback! Warren gave us a brief talk on the race cars he had on show – Ginetta, Marcos and Mosler – the latter making an ear-shatteringly great sound on start-up (it’s the first time the Griff’s been upstaged on that front, I can assure you!) The team have had great successes in recent seasons and are building to even higher expectations for the coming year. Thanks again to everybody at Top Cats for a great day!
TVR-Rebellion
The team continues to excel in the WEC championship. Despite an unfortunate mishap with the #03 car crashing out after exiting the pits on new slicks, we still managed a 3rd at Fuji – next stop Shanghai! We are also doing well in the LMP drivers’ Championship with most of our drivers in 3rd and 4th places. As you may know, this is a ‘Super Season’, extending through to Le Mans 2019, so with 4 more races to go, we have a great chance for a spectacular end to the season!!

Questionnaire
The long-awaited questionnaire is almost finished and will be issued week commencing 12th November. We’d love to get your feedback on this as it will help us finally work through some of the options we will be making available. We will also shortly be uploading some 3D renders of the Griffith on our website for your review.

Comms
Thanks for the great response confirming your details from the ‘Queue Position’ mailing! If you haven’t replied yet, please do so – in case you ticked the 1.6l diesel option by mistake.

We continue to monitor all communications - both directly to us by email and on the various forums. The former we endeavour to respond to within 24 hours, the latter we do not engage with for the usual reasons, although we obviously note, and pay attention to, those where the comments are relevant, factual, rational(!), and so on. All depositors are always welcome to contact us by phone or via the ‘dearles’ email address, at any time, as many of you already have done to date.
​
I’ll be in touch again w/c 12th November.
All the best
Les

Comments are closed.

    News Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    April 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    June 2009
    March 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    October 2007
    September 2007
    August 2007
    July 2007
    June 2007
    May 2007
    April 2007
    March 2007
    February 2007
    January 2007
    December 2006
    November 2006
    October 2006
    September 2006
    August 2006
    July 2006
    June 2006
    May 2006
    April 2006
    March 2006
    February 2006
    January 2006
    December 2005
    November 2005
    October 2005
    September 2005
    August 2005
    June 2005
    May 2005
    April 2005
    March 2005
    February 2005
    January 2005
    December 2004
    October 2004
    September 2004
    August 2004
    July 2004
    June 2004
    May 2004
    April 2004
    March 2004
    February 2004
    December 2003
    November 2003
    May 2003
    April 2003
    May 2002
    July 2001
    March 2001
    October 2000
    July 2000
    May 2000
    April 2000
    October 1999
    December 1998

    Categories

    All
    Awards
    Events
    Motorsport
    News
    Offers
    Parts
    Products
    TVR News

    RSS Feed

Picture
Multiple Award Winners
​• Star of the future 2021
• Car Club of the Year 2017
​
• Best Magazine 2016
• Car Club of the Year 2015
• Best website 2012
• Club Personality 2011
• Best Selection of Cars 2007
​
• Best Website 2007
• Best Event 2006
• Club Personality 2005
• Best Magazine 2004
• Car Club of the Year 2000 ​​
Picture
If you are looking for TVR - www.tvr.co.uk

HOME
News

Shop
Events
Classifieds
Contact Us

FIND OUT
​About The TVRCC
Why Join 
About TVR
UK Regions
​International Regions
​
Region Update Form
Sprint Magazine
In Sprint
​Picture this winners
Picture this Competition
TVR Motorsport
​​TVR Motorsport History​
​TVR Colours
TVR MODELS
Early TVRs
​Grantura
Vixen
Griffith (early)
Tuscan (early)
M Series
Tasmin/Wedges
S Series
Tuscan Racer
Griffith
Chimaera
Speed 12
​​Cerbera
Tuscan
Tamora
T350
Sagaris
Typhon/T400/T440
​Prototypes
Griffith LE 2017​
MEMBERS AREA
TVRs in print
​Annual Events
> Le Mans Classic
> Pre-80's Extravaganza
> Classic Car Show NEC
​
Archives
Digital Sprint
Committee
​
Committee Minutes
Travel Tours
Members offers
Insurance
​
TRADE LINKS
>TVR Dealers
>Bodywork, Servicing & Repairs

​
TECHNICAL
Pre M
M Series
Tasmin/Wedges
S Series
​
Griffith
Chimaera
Cerbera
Tuscan
T350
Tamora
Sagaris

ARCHIVES

Factory
Pre M
M Series
Tasmin/Wedges
Tuscan Racer
S Series
Griffith
Chimaera
Tuscan
Prototypes
Rover V8 engine
DISCUSSION FORUMS
​
General forum
Model Areas
Suggestions
Regional forums

​
RO RESOURCES
Regional Organisers Resources
Handbook
Organised Runs
Regional Websites & Emails
​Region website update request
Forum Rules & Guidelines
Naming & Shaming Policy 
Authorised TVRCC  logos
Region contact change form
Region event form
​Business card order

POLICIES
Data Policy
Safeguarding Policy
​Cookies Policy

TVR Car Club
The TVR Car Club Ltd
Unit 5, Nova House, Audley Avenue Enterprise Park
Newport, Shropshire
​TF10 7DW
United Kingdom
Telephone: 01952 822126

email: office@tvrcc.com 
© The TVR Car Club 1999-2022
​unless otherwise stated
​All contributions to this website are the personal opinions of the individual members concerned and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Club or its committee unless specifically stated. The TVRCC accepts no responsibility for advice or information given on this website or by its members.

​Website design and hosted by Treble3  since 1999
  • Home
  • News
  • Shop
    • Enter Shop
    • Memberships
    • Official TVR Branded Merchandise
    • T-Shirts >
      • New Logo T-shirts
      • Classic 80's Logo T-shirts
    • Clothing >
      • New 2021 Logo Clothing
      • Caps & Hats
      • Ladies & Junior Clothing
      • Classic 80's Logo Clothing
    • Mugs
    • Posters
    • Gifts
    • Bags
    • Fire Safety Sticks
    • Garage Products
    • Events
    • TVRs for sale
  • Events
    • Events Calendar (Public)
    • National Events (Members)
  • Find out about:
    • The TVRCC
    • Why you should join
    • TVR
    • Regions >
      • UK Regions
      • International Regions
      • Region Details update
    • The TVR Models >
      • Early TVRs
      • TVR Grantura
      • TVR Vixen
      • TVR Griffith (early)
      • TVR Tuscan (early)
      • TVR M series
      • TVR Tasmin / Wedges
      • TVR S Series
      • TVR Tuscan Racer
      • TVR Griffith
      • TVR Chimaera
      • TVR Cerbera
      • TVR Speed 12
      • TVR Tuscan
      • TVR Tamora
      • TVR T350
      • TVR Sagaris
      • TVR Typhon / T400 / T440
      • TVR Prototypes
      • TVR Griffith LE 2017
    • Sprint Magazine >
      • In Sprint
      • Photo Competition Winners
      • Photo Competition
    • TVR Motorsport
    • TVR Motorsport History
    • TVR Colours
    • Classifieds
  • Members Area:
    • TVRCC Forums
    • National Members Events >
      • National Members Events Calendar
      • NEC Classic & Sportscar Show
      • Le Mans Classic
      • Pre 80s Extravaganza
    • TVRs in print
    • Digital Sprint Magazines
    • Archives >
      • Archives - Brochures
      • Archives - Factory
      • Archives - Pre M
      • Archives - M Series
      • Archives - Tasmin Wedge
      • Archives - Tuscan Racer
      • Archives - S Series
      • Archives - Griffith
      • Archives - Cerbera
      • Archives - Chimaera
      • Archives - T350
      • Archives - Tamora
      • Archives - Tuscan
      • Archives - Sagaris
      • Archives - Prototypes
      • Archives - Rover V8
      • Archives - Miscellaneous
      • Add to Archives
    • Technical >
      • Technical - Pre-M Series
      • Technical - M Series
      • Technical - Wedges
      • Technical - S Series
      • Technical - Chimaera
      • Technical - Griffith
      • Technical - Cerbera
      • Technical - Sagaris
      • Technical - Speed Six
      • Technical - T350
      • Technical - Tuscan
      • Technical - Tamora
    • Committee >
      • Minutes & accounts
      • Chairman
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Editor
      • Deputy Editor
      • IT Manager
      • Events Manager
      • Events Team
      • Competition Secretary
      • RO Co-ordinator
      • Sales Manager
      • Marketing Communications
      • Office Manager
      • Website Designer
      • Magazine Designer
    • Travel Tours >
      • Scenic and Continental Car Tours
      • Drive Espana
      • Fast Track Tours
      • Organise Your Own Tour
    • Benefits
    • Insurance
    • Valuations
    • Trade links >
      • TVR Dealers
      • Bodywork Servicing Repairs
    • RO Resources >
      • Organised Runs
      • RO handbook
      • Regional Websites & Emails
      • Region website update request
      • Forum Rules & Guidelines
      • Naming and shaming policy
      • Authorised Logos
      • Region Contact Details Change Form
      • Region Events Form
      • Region Business Card Order Form
    • Logout
  • Contact Us