Automotive – Page 37477 – I wish I had more to offer

The TVR Network goes live

Whether you’re a fan of the marque, interested in maintaining or restoring your cherished TVR, looking to buy or sell an appreciating modern classic, wanting to protect your TVR’s value, or take a race-prepared TVR to the track, TVR Network is the place to go.

Owners seeking the very best for their cherished TVR will rightly want honest, reliable garage services provided by experts fitting TVR Genuine Parts. Those yet to discover the joys of ownership, but who are now considering buying an appreciating TVR classic, will want to know where to go for sound buying advice. Racers and performance enthusiasts alike will seek specialist guidance before upgrading their beloved cars for even more focused exhilaration.

No matter what your area of interest in TVR, there is now a fully authorised network in place to help you find the expertise and resources you’re looking for. TVR Network brings together the very best of all the businesses concerned with our marque. Most offer many years – indeed decades – of experience with TVR cars, and we are proud to say that there is simply no better informed, better resourced, or better value place to go, to meet all your TVR needs.

Whether your interest is in preserving original specifications or enhancing them, TVR Network can help, via its ‘Heritage’ and ‘Performance’ divisions.

You can read all about TVR Network in the dedicated area of our website; you’ll also find a complete list of current members, and a search facility to quickly locate precisely the services you’re looking for. If you don't find what you are searching for, please contact us here.

PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY, VALUE, TRUST. All proudly delivered by the members of TVR Network

To use an old saying…

…‘No News Is Good News’. Everyone at TVR remains acutely aware of the expectation among enthusiasts as well as the appetite for updates on the new cars.

Such high levels of interest are tremendously flattering and, as we continue to make exciting progress with our development plans, it’s certainly tempting to reveal snippets.

However, we continue to believe it’s best not to share details of our plans publicly just yet. We understand this is the source of a little frustration for some, though a majority of the community have been generous in applauding our tight-lipped stance. In previous years there have been disappointments, when early announcements came to nothing, and we’re determined not to make similar mistakes. However, we’re pleased to report enormous progress towards TVR’s return and our relative silence shouldn’t be interpreted as anything more than our absolute focus on making this comeback permanent.

TVR Roaring Back as main sponsor of The Steelmen

TVR announces its sponsorship of Ebbw Vale RFC for the 2016/17 season

Ebbw Vale RFC has followed this year’s championship winning campaign in the Principality Premiership League by announcing that TVR, the iconic British sports car manufacturer, is to be its main sponsor in the 2016/17 season, carrying the company’s famous logo on the front of both shirt and shorts.

The news reinforces TVR’s commitment to the local community following its announcement earlier this year that it is to manufacture its new vehicle, engineered by Gordon Murray Design and powered by Cosworth, in Ebbw Vale, and which will have its public launch in 2017.

Commenting on the news, Ebbw Vale RFC Director and Chairman Jonathan Jones said: “As a club we are delighted that TVR has become a partner and feel it is fitting that a club that derives its nickname from the steel industry, which was once the main economic driver of the area, will have strong links with the iconic TVR marque.

“TVR’s facility will help to re-energise the area economically in the coming years and we look forward to working closely with the company, helping them develop an enjoyable and prosperous future with the club, its fellow sponsors, its supporters, and with the area as a whole. This must surely be the most prestigious sponsorship deal in the history of the Premiership and is an excellent boost for Ebbw Vale RFC and the League as a whole.”

Operations Director for TVR John Chasey commented: “TVR are looking forward to establishing our factory in Ebbw Vale and becoming an integral part of both the local economy and community. While TVR cars have traditionally sported composite bodies, they have always been built upon a steel chassis, and the new car will continue to use a steel frame bonded with carbon fibre as part of the iStream process, so the sponsorship of the Steelmen is an appropriate connection we look forward to developing.”

TVR Launch Edition to include Carbon

TVR Newsletter, December 2015: Styling, Cosworth engine testing, and expectations for 2016

Dear TVRists,

Well, it’s been a while since the last update and apologies for that – time flies when you’re having fun, as they say, and we’ve been spectacularly busy on all aspects of the development process and production logistics. There are some major announcements on these fronts which we’ll be able to share (and really look forward to sharing!) with you early in the new year, and in the meantime we thought you’d like to hear a bit about some of the exciting stuff we’ve been up to.

Car Styling
Looking great! It’s certainly a long process though — there is so much devil in the detail, so much work involved in getting everything to work together properly, to proper modern day standards of fit finish and aero, not to say legislative requirement, while at the same time doing proper justice (in all respects) to TVR’s lineage and DNA. Hundreds of iterations in, we are at the point where we have a number of final concepts differing now only in relatively small detail, with only a few decisions left to be made. Suffice to say we’re pretty happy with where we are! Incidentally, it may be interesting to know that while we have been using the very latest state of the art CAD software, in parallel we have been working with ‘old fashioned’ physical seating bucks and scale clay models – in fact far from old fashioned, as even the most modern (read young!) designer will readily confirm that it’s impossible to get the full impact and experience of a physical object via a virtual experience, no matter how good the CAD software is.

One of the great advantages when using the Gordon Murray iStream technology is that the body design can be finalised much later than that of a traditionally ‘stamped’ car. The body is essentially non-structural and – provided we don’t impinge on the structural hard points (God forbid – Gordon’s not one for compromise I’m happy to say!) – it can be finally finessed in tandem with the rest of the car.

Speaking of the chassis, you may be aware that Gordon Murray announced at the Tokyo Motor show last month (November 2015) the introduction of iStream Carbon. I guess you may be wondering whether this amazing, exciting new technology will be available as an option on the new TVR… well the good news is that IT WILL and (in line with our promises that early adopters would be treated exceptionally well) it is scheduled to be included as a NO COST option on the LE car!

In terms of timing, we have received a number of enquiries regarding delivery slots and general production timing. In order to be able to tell you when the first cars are going to be delivered, and therefore your place in the queue, there are a number of things that need to be determined. In our next update we will announce the factory location. This has been something we have spent a lot of time on recently. There are a number of important considerations for TVR when deciding where the new home should be. It wasn’t a decision to be taken lightly – we didn’t want the location chosen simply because we could build a large shed with grant money. We wanted it to be a statement of our future intent, a place our customers would want to visit, and most of all somewhere all of us associated with TVR – the whole community – can rightly be proud to call TVR’s home. We are very close to achieving that milestone in our plan – to make TVR the coolest, hardest-performing hand-built British sports car once more. This time though, it won’t just be designed and built with passion, it’ll be engineered to perform the way no other TVR has done to date. It will be class-leading, mainly because it will define its own class, as TVR has always done and you’d need to spend £1/4 million to find a worthy opponent. A Sagaris wouldn’t even see which way it went. (Speaking as an adoring Sag owner, I hope that that excites you just as much as it does me!)

Once we have announced the factory location together with some other car specifics regarding the car such as price, minimum performance details, and some further details on the styling/packaging, that will also be the point at which we propose to announce the closing of the order book for the LE cars. This announcement will come in the first half of 2016. Once that announcement is made, we will be confirming orders that have already been placed using our deposit system (I want one of those monsters!) and will be able confirm relative positions in the queue.

Engine development
Steve Cropley from Autocar was present when we fired up an early version of one of our V8 engines at Cosworth’s Northampton facility – see it here: Fire up the Cossie. This was the first official showing of the engine, and the first time we had started the unit that will form the initial race car test mule. Clearly there is a lot of work still to do but we’re really pleased with the progress particularly as some of the development work on this unit has flowed back into the road car design, resulting in an expectation of a further additional increase in power for the LE car. The dyno simulated a lap of Le Mans and has the ability to simulate the effect of topography and gear change, and while the unit was not running with either our race or road transmission set up, and the correct aero for the car could not be correctly simulated (’cos we haven’t finished it yet ;0) – the results were very respectable, nonetheless. And we broke the dyno! However, our focus is very much on the road car at the moment and importantly, I am pleased to report that the power and torque figures and delivery characteristics are very much on target.

The mule car has been munching the miles over the last few months, testing the durability of the engine and drive-train combo. Next step is to combine the complete power train with our chassis into a mule for further testing – given the body is independent of the chassis and running gear, perhaps something familiar could be seen around the Northampton area soon… (…and yes, before you say it, with wheels, chassis, engine, small stickers etc!)

So in essence, you can expect an update on the following early in 2016:

Production – Factory location, ancillary benefits & timing; LE car order book closing details; order confirmations and relative queue positions
Body Styling – further detail of the final design/packaging
Performance – power and torque figures and minimum production deliverables for top speed and acceleration, and kerb weight
Pricing – LE car pricing confirmation
Options – confirmation of basic options including no-cost carbon LE

Well, that’s about it for the moment and I’d like to finish off by thanking you for your incredible support during 2015, and wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year from all of us at TVR.

Exciting times now, and ahead!

Les Edgar
Chairman, TVR Manufacturing Ltd

TVR Accepting Deposits for its New 2017 Car

TVR to accept deposits for its new 2017 car in view of unprecedented enthusiasm and demand following announcement of the new car.

We have to say that we have been delighted – indeed bowled over – by the tremendous positive reaction to the announcement of our plans for the new TVR, and in particular the huge number of positive expressions of desire to place an order and to secure a place in the production queue. In order to satisfy that desire, and as it will assist us in planning the early years ahead, we have brought forward our plans to accept formal deposits against allocated build slots for the new car, in order of date of application.

We are very aware of the historic issues surrounding previous owners of the marque and issues over deposits, and can assure that these will not be repeated. If you are uncomfortable placing a deposit at this stage, we respect that. However, we should advise that from the expressions of interest to date we are confident that at least the first year’s production run will quickly be sold out. A small measure of risk isn’t for everyone, and we appreciate that, but we are very well backed, and here to stay.

The deposit scheme will go live at midday on July 7th 2015.

Here are some examples of the great coverage we have received since the announcement of the car.

Autocar
Top Gear
Evo
PistonHeads

FAQs
Is my deposit refundable?
Yes, until you place your formal order (once specifications and options have been announced), you will be able to apply for a refund. There will be no deductions for administration fees or the like by TVR, although there may be charges/deductions by bank or credit card companies. All we ask is that if you place a deposit, you do so in good faith.

Is my money at risk?
No – we would never allow that to be the case. We are well funded, and are here to stay! The deposit line has opened in response to a large number of requests from potential customers wishing to place a deposit on the basis of the information currently available both in the motoring press and on our website. If you do not consider this to be sufficient for you to decide whether or not you should place a deposit, we recommend you do not do so. However, if you pay by credit card, your payment is guaranteed by the credit card company.

What is the Launch Edition?
The Launch Edition, or LE (no prizes!), is a limited run with extra specification and special features at a discounted price against the usual list price for that specification, to celebrate the marque’s return to production in its 70th birthday year.

If I order a car now do I have to have a Launch Edition?
No, you can exercise a choice when placing your order. This can be changed later on. Once the slots have been sold a waiting list will be maintained in case any LE orders are varied or cancelled.

Is it permissible to place multiple deposits?
We are aware that some individuals may intend to place two deposits – ‘one to keep, one to sell’. Acceptance of more than 2 deposits from one individual or organisation is subject to prior discussion. We are aware that there is likely to be a profit opportunity from selling on build slots, but wish to keep that aspect contained to a reasonably measured degree – we want the cars to go to enthusiasts at the right price, not via speculators making multiple turns.

Will I be able to sell, or ‘flip’, my deposit?
Yes – this will be allowed – but only once per buyer save by prior arrangement.

There is no formal specification or price list yet – how can I be sure I want one?
If you don’t agree that the new car is a giant slayer, a TVR in every way, and incredible value for money, and you decide you don’t want to proceed with a formal order, we’ll give you your money back – no problem.

I’d Like to place a deposit on a convertible – can I do that now?
We are not yet taking deposits for convertible cars.

Will there be a LHD drive version at launch?
Yes.

Will the launch car meet legislation in my country?
The first car will initially be manufactured to EC SSTA (EU Small Series Type Approval) specifications and as such will be available in all EU countries and be available in right or left-hand drive versions.

In due course we will manufacture to further international standards. However, the launch model will need to be purchased in the EU and you will need to arrange for it to be individually exported and undertake whatever local type approvals are required to register the car locally yourself.

We are happy for you to place a deposit on a car in order to secure a place in the queue now while you investigate this further, and should you discover that it is unlikely that you would be unable to import the car then we will happily refund the deposit.

How will I know what my position in the queue is?
We will not be announcing specific positions at this stage, but broadly speaking, your position is determined at the time we receive cleared funds for your deposit. However, as credit card companies, banks and cheques can take varying times to clear funds, there may be a discrepancy between when you authorise your payment and when we actually receive the funds.

TVR to return with new car designed in collaboration with Gordon Murray Design

Revered British sports car brand, TVR, is roaring back to production with an incredible all-new Cosworth powered sports car, engineered in collaboration with F1 and road car design legend, Gordon Murray.

TVR has developed a product and launch programme that will see at least four new models brought to market over the next ten years
Positioning and pricing set to be consistent with TVR’s past market positioning and highly competitive within its segment

The iconic British car brand, TVR, has today announced that it will return to the market with an all-new British designed and built sports car. The company, which boasts an outstanding new management team, has developed the new car in collaboration with Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth, each providing much of the core design and engineering capability for the all-new TVR. This incredible project is already well advanced with over a year of development completed so far.

TVR will issue more specification details and early images later in 2015, but the car will continue the tradition of a classic British two-seat sports car with a composite ground effect aero chassis and body package using Gordon Murray Design’s innovative iStream® technology. Enthusiasts will also be delighted to know that the car will feature the traditional TVR DNA of a front engine with rear wheel drive and a manual transmission, powered by a normally aspirated, dry-sumped, V8 engine, developed and engineered by Cosworth.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “We know that a new TVR has to be better than just good – it has to be outstanding. From the outset we only wanted to work with the best partners in the business, and both Gordon Murray’s and Cosworth’s track records within motor sport and high performance car design and engineering speak for themselves. GMD and Cosworth are the perfect partners for TVR and together, we will deliver a truly exceptional new car.”

Production of the car will begin in 2017, and will be offered to the market at a competitive price point within its segment and consistent with TVR’s positioning in the past. TVR has prioritised the company’s position as an all-British institution, and the cars will be completely produced in new UK factory premises.

Gordon Murray, Chairman of Gordon Murray Design comments: “TVR is an iconic brand which has been an important part of British sports car manufacturing for many decades. Its return to manufacturing is an exciting development and the car deserves the best chassis and powertrain that can possibly be delivered. To that end, I am delighted that our company is involved with the project, and that TVR are using our iStream® technology.”

Bruce Wood, Cosworth Technical Director, said: “We are proud to see Cosworth’s industry-leading engineering at the heart of the revived TVR brand. Our team has been working closely with TVR and Gordon Murray Design to develop a powertrain solution that perfectly complements the exceptional performance characteristics of the new car. It’s an exciting project and one which well suits Cosworth’s engineering expertise.”

Edgar continues: “We are a well-funded, well-supported organisation and boast a vastly experienced management team. We are here to stay and we have a fully evolved ten year plan for product and business development, and are committed to deliver on all the targets we have set ourselves – as we have done to date.

“Despite very deliberately maintaining a low profile since completing the acquisition of TVR two years ago, we have had an enormous amount of unsolicited interest from businesses, individuals and investors internationally. Such is the strength of the brand and the passion of its followers. It is a real privilege to be a part of the revival of a great British marque – one that will succeed through our single-minded desire to produce exceptional sports cars.”

TVR Purchases Classic TVR Parts Business

As part of its ongoing plans to support existing TVR owners, TVR is pleased to announce the purchase of the parts business of David Gerald/Classic World Racing which focused on pre-1980 TVRs.

This initiative will achieve 3 important goals. Firstly, it will allow for the smooth transition of parts, including many quite rare parts for pre-1980 cars, to the already impressive stock held by TVR Parts Limited. Secondly, it means that TVR Parts Limited, the sole appointed distributor of TVR Genuine Parts, now has a comprehensive licence and access to even more historical records to better support TVR cars from every era. Finally, it will allow Classic World Racing to focus on its core business of servicing, restoring and maintaining TVRs to the highest of standards, preparing many of these cars for exhilarating track day and race winning performance.

Commenting on the deal, Chairman of TVR Manufacturing Les Edgar said, “This acquisition allows our licensed partners ‘TVR Parts Limited’ to expand the world’s deepest and widest range of stock of TVR Genuine Parts, giving even more comprehensive levels of support to existing TVR owners. All sections of the TVR community should welcome this enhancement, since a stronger TVR Parts business allows for continuity of supply, keener prices and ever-better service for owners of our much-loved cars.”

For his part, Chairman of TVR Parts Limited Graham Love added, “We are delighted to have added the pre-1980 models to the very extensive range of Genuine TVR parts we already carry, making TVR Parts Ltd the comprehensive one stop shop for all TVR owners, regardless of the age of their cars. We look forward to welcoming all owners of pre-1980 TVRs as valued new customers.”

Mike Luck, owner of Classic World Racing, said he was extremely pleased to see his parts business become part of such an exciting development. “Our parts business deserved a secure future and it is fitting that the historic records and tooling have returned back to TVR ownership.”

TVR Helps Establish TVR Parts Ltd

In order to help guarantee both quality and continuity of supply of TVR Genuine Parts, and to give customers confidence in the source of those Parts, TVR is pleased to announce the launch of TVR Parts Limited as part of an exclusive worldwide agreement.

Recognising the demand for genuine spares amongst trade and owners alike, TVR has spent many months working on the recently launched TVR Genuine Parts initiative. In tandem, and to guarantee the ongoing availability of original and carefully remanufactured parts well into the future, TVR has decided to assist in the setting up of a single distribution source – ‘TVR Parts Limited’.

Newly incorporated this summer, TVR Parts is fully licensed by TVR as the exclusive supplier of TVR Genuine Parts worldwide. Since none of the old licences or parts distribution agreements remain in force, things in future will be nice and simple. From now on, if you’re after a TVR Genuine Part then the sole source will be TVR Parts.

TVR Parts is already operational, and there are plans for further expansion of its services and facilities, including a new 12,000 sq.ft. warehouse. Furthermore, the plans are to increase the range of stock held over the coming months and years, growing to over 250,000 parts from some 5,000 line items always being available.

TVR has also granted TVR Parts access to its archives including the factory’s comprehensive databases of models and part numbers going back decades, so ensuring a solid knowledge base and future support for the TVR community.

You can read more about TVR Parts and browse the available stock at www.tvr-parts.com, where you can also set up an account and order online.

TVR Remains Firm Gaming Favourite

Over recent months we've been delighted to have been contacted by so many leading video game companies. A stunning new generation of driving games is upon us and yet it seems the old rules still apply; thrill-seeking players must be able to race all the most desirable cars.

So, just what goes up against the world’s exotic supercars? Which insolent rebel from the past still dares keep company with the likes of the all-new MacLaren P1 or the La Ferrari? Well, it’s thrilling (though perhaps not entirely surprising) to announce that Ubisoft, Sony and Microsoft among others have all chosen TVR for their highly anticipated next-generation console games – The Crew, Gran Turismo 6 and Forza 5. Notably, other game developers in the App space have also chosen TVR to bring added excitement to their mobile offerings. In fact, we’ve signed multiple licences so whatever your preferred platform, whatever your game of choice, chances are you can race a Tuscan, a Sag, even a Typhon against a Lambo or perhaps one of Stuttgart’s finest, with hitherto unseen levels of realism.

Like so many others out there, we love seeing classic TVRs take on the mid-engined, the active-aero’d, the turbo’d and the supercharged. But make no mistake – what we’re really going to love seeing is our new cars adding some impertinent zest to the grid in the next generation of games. For the avoidance of doubt, that means real cars as well as virtual ones are on their way…

Much Loved British Sports Car Brand TVR Returns

Revered British sports car brand TVR is to make a welcome return to Britain after its owner, Russian businessman Nikolai Smolensky, agreed to sell the brand rights and all other assets to a syndicate of British investors.

The syndicate, incorporated as ‘TVR Automotive Ltd.’, now owns all TVR’s IP including its global trademarks, patents and designs. Also included in the sale were the entirety of TVR’s physical assets, including engines, chassis, jigs, body parts and spares, together with large amounts of historical documentation in both hard and soft copy formats.

Commenting on the acquisition, Chairman of TVR Automotive Les Edgar said, “It’s a tremendously exciting day and superb news for TVR enthusiasts and owners at home and abroad. Having lamented the demise of the famous Blackpool-based company, lovers of British sports cars everywhere now have something to celebrate. TVR is back where it belongs.”

Reflecting on the process of landing the brand back in Britain, the investors have put on record their thanks to Nikolai Smolensky for clearing the way for the acquisition and sincerely appreciate the cooperation received.

For his part, Mr. Smolensky added, “I am pleased to see TVR returning to its home country and, along with all sports car fans, look forward to what’s coming next. I’m confident TVR Automotive will do a great job.”

Les Edgar continued, “Our intention is to build new TVRs in the best traditions of the much loved classics. Planning is well under way for all-new cars, but we also intend to support the existing TVR community. Owners, enthusiasts and specialist engineering firms have kept the thunder rumbling these past few years and we’re looking forward to meeting and building great relationships with everyone.”