TVR Car Club - TVR S Series Details

S Series

In production: 1986 - 1994
Models: S1, S2, S3, S3C, S4C, V8S

History

1986 - After a change of ownership to Peter Wheeler, TVR began moving up market with larger power plants, more luxurious interiors and a wider customer option list which meant prices steadily rose. TVR again needed an “entry level model that would be the introduction to the TVR line up”, a statement in the handbook that is as true now as it was then. The entry model was inspired by the 3000S but with mechanics based on the contemporary Tasmin 280i. The roof was the patented split panel version of the Tasmin and wind up windows replaced the removable sidescreens of the 3000S. While outwardly it resembled the 3000S, only the exterior door handles were shared. The car was shown at the 1986 British International Motor Show at Birmingham as a design exercise and with 62 preorders taken, the car was given the go ahead for full scale production. Many features unique to the prototype car were not carried over into the production model, including the bonnet layout, dashboard, seats, wheels indicators and more.

1987 – By August 1987 the car was production ready and TVR announced the introduction of the TVR S Convertible. By this time, the company had received over 120 prelaunch orders, suggesting that the mixture of style, performance and price was just what the market wanted. With the Tasmin model range prices starting at £17995 for the 350i, the £12995 S provided the perfect entry into TVR ownership, broadening TVRs market appeal.

The 2.8 litre fuel-injected V6 “Cologne” engine from the existing 280i models produced 160bhp and with a weight of only 900kg, performance was brisk. 0-60 came up in around 7 seconds, all of which was handled by a multi-tubular steel chassis honed from the Company’s involvement in Production Sportscar Racing with the 420 S.E.A.C. With independent double wishbone suspension at the front and a semi-trailing arm at the rear, handling was tidy and above all fun. TVR had a winner on its hands with Autocar singing its praises with “Cheap, stylish and wonderful” and ”Quick, fun to drive and looks sensational”.

At the October Motorfair TVR showed the ES, an Evolution version with a more aggressive styling featuring driving lights below the front bumpers. Power was from a 3.2 litre Swaymar-tuned version of the Cologne V6 producing some 260bhp. The ES was never sold, though the prototype was used as a development car by chassis engineer Neill Anderson and currently is being restored in the hands of a TVRCC member.

Due to the success that Steve Cole had in the 420 S.E.A.C, Peter Wheeler asked Chris Schirle to develop a race version of the S-series, in order to use its race heritage to further promote the new model. Chris designed the car with a turbocharged 2.0 litre Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Evolution engine modified by Terry Hoyle to Group A spec which produced between 470-520bhp and with a weight of only 810kg, a power:weight ration of >615hp/tonne. On its debut race in Macau, despite starting at the back of the 20 car grid, due to a propshaft failure in practice, John Kent won. The car then shed its orange livery and was used to promote the forthcoming 1989 Tuscan Challenge series.

It’s whereabouts now are unknown, but it is believed to reside with a TVR racer and ex-dealer in Italy.

TVR S1

1988 – Initially known as the S, the first model later received the designation S1 as continued development saw improvements to the car, not least with the necessity to swop to the re-engineered 2.9 litre engine by the end of 1988. This S2 model went on sale in the autumn of 1988, with the new engine resulting in more low speed and peak torque (172lb.ft up from 162lb.ft) and a slightly increased peak power at 168bhp. The new engine also provided TVR with the opportunity to offer a catalytic converter, making the car more attractive for the export market (S2C). Whilst looking externally similar to the S1, revisions included electric windows, chrome strips above the bumpers and 8 spoke OZ alloy wheels as well as a slightly revised instrument panel. A new option list was also introduced to include a polished wood facia.

In typical TVR fashion things were never quite so clear cut, as there was also a transition between the S1 (280S) and the S2 (290S) cars, sometimes being referred to as S1.5, meaning cars with the 2.8 engine but with chrome bumper strips and later alloys were built – and sometimes vice versa!

1990 - The S3 closely resembled the S2 it superseded, but the changes were more than just aesthetic. Technical refinement resulted in a stiffer chassis for a smoother ride and better handling. A totally new body was designed incorporating a 4" longer door that aided passenger exit/entrance. Internally, the S3s received a total redesign. Fore and aft seat adjustment was dramatically increased, and the seats moved upwards as they move forwards. Coupled with TVR's innovative option of reduced or increased pedal box, the new S3 could accommodate drivers of any size.

The new S3C, which headed the S3 range, was equipped with a twin catalyst, minimal back pressure exhaust system to meet the new European emission laws. Although sharing the same interior, the higher specification S3C received a walnut faced dashboard, leather sports seats and electric door mirrors as standard equipment. Externally, the S3C could be differentiated by long-range driving lights set in the lower front air dam, whilst latter S3 models received a smooth bonnet, with 4 Chimaera-like vents in each side.

1991 - Whilst TVR readied the Griffith for launch after its huge success at the 1990 Motor Show, some customers couldn’t wait to have more power to their S3. And so, the V8S was launched in mid 1991. With 240bhp and 275lb.ft torque being relayed to the semi-trailing arm rear set up and same size 205/60 Bridgestone tyres (ZR rated), TVR needed to uprate the brakes and so the front discs were increased from 10.6in from 9.4in, and importantly the rear drums were replaced with 9.9in discs. Autocar described it as “A weekend event of monumental proportion”. Acceleration in fifth gear between 50-70mph took just 5.9sec (faster than an Aston Martin Virage, Ferrari Testarossa, Lotus Esprit SE Turbo and Porsche 911Carrera 2). All this performance caused the TVR engineers to rethink and later cars had the main chassis backbone strengthened with additional of diagonal bracing struts. Concurrently, the front and rear track was increased by 40mm.

A blind alley had led TVR to building Rover V8-powered S for the Italian market, with the engine sleeved down from 4.0 litres to 2.0 litres, with power boosted back by use of a supercharger. Whilst peak power (230bhp) was similar to the 4.0 litre V8S, torque was lacking (196lb.ft). Accommodating the supercharger necessitated a redesign of the S-series bonnet. The car only sold around 7 examples, but the bonnet with its distinctive offset hump was then used for the 4.0 litre V8S.

1992 – Despite the launch of the Griffith, the V8S continued to sell steadily towards the end of the year and production reached 3 a day in addition to production of the S3/S3C.

1993-94 – The V8S was not the last S produced. The new strengthened chassis found its way into the last of the V6 cars as production was rationalised – the S4Cs, which also had a new bonnet with side vents similar to the Chimaera and all round disk brakes like the V8S was the last model produced.

TVRs fortunes continued as buyers flocked to the Griffith and newly launched Chimaera, so ending the 7-year production run of the S-series, a car that quite literally saved TVR and set them on a new course for success.

Technical Specifications

TVR S1 - (280S)
Engine: Ford Cologne V6
Capacity (cc): 2792cc
Power: 160bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 162lbft @ 4300rpm
Performance: 0-60mph 8.0 secs
Top speed: 128mph
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear semi-trailing arm.
Brakes: Front discs, Rear drums

TVR S2/S2C - (290S)
Engine: Ford Cologne V6
Capacity (cc): 2933cc
Power: 168bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 172lbft @ 3000rpm
Performance: 0-60mph 7.1secs
Top speed: 140mph
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear semi-trailing arm.
Brakes: Front discs, Rear drums

TVR S3/S3C - (290S)
Engine: Ford Cologne V6
Capacity (cc): 2933cc
Power: 168bhp @ 5400rpm
Torque: 191lbft @ 3575rpm
Performance: 0-60mph 6.8secs
Top speed: 140mph
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear semi-trailing arm.
Brakes: Front discs, Rear drums

TVR S4C - (290S)
Engine: Ford Cologne V6
Capacity (cc): 2933cc
Power: 168bhp @ 5400rpm
Torque: 191lbft @ 3750rpm
Performance: 0-60mph 6.8secs
Top speed: 140mph
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear semi-trailing arm.
Brakes: Servo-assisted discs all round

TVR V8S/V8SC - (400S)
Engine: Rover V8
Capacity (cc): 3905cc
Power: 240bhp @ 5750rpm
(240bhp @ 5250rpm)
Torque: 275lb.ft @ 4200rpm
(270lb.ft @ 4000rpm)
Performance: 0-60mph 5.2 secs (5.0 secs)
Top speed: 146mph
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear semi-trailing arm.
Brakes: Servo-assisted discs all round

TVR V8S 2.0litre - (200S)
Engine: Rover V8
Capacity (cc): 1998cc
Power: 230bhp @ 6200rpm
Torque: 196lb.ft @ 3700rpm
Performance: 0-60mph 6.5 secs
Top speed: 144mph
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear semi-trailing arm.
Brakes: Servo-assisted discs all round

Production Numbers:
S1– 605*
S2 – 668*
S3/S3C – 887*
S4C – 50**
V8S – 436**
2.0 supercharged V8S – ≥7***

Source: *Steve Heath Bible, **SMMT, ***S-editor own documented research
Numbers are all estimates due to TVR’s differing nomenclature for each model and that some models were given the wrong nomenclature on the V5C e.g., a number of V8S cars are registered as 290S. At least 7 known 2.0 litre cars exist and according to an ex-TVR employee no more than 10 were built.

(Updated Jan 2021 by Mark Hickery and Oliver Edwards)