TVR returns with V8-powered Griffith

BRITISH sportscar-maker TVR has unveiled its first model in over a decade with the two-door, rear-drive, V8-powered Griffith coupe shown off at the Goodwood Revival in the UK ready to take on the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Jaguar F-Type.

Although exact power figures have yet to be revealed, performance will come courtesy of a Ford-sourced, Cosworth-fettled 5.0-litre naturally aspirated Coyote bent eight indicated to output around 373kW.

Thanks to a tweaked engine control unit, dry sump system, and lightened flywheel and clutch, the Griffith outperforms the Ford Mustang GT – which shares the same Coyote V8 – by abut 50kW and is enough to propel the manual, rear-drive coupe from zero to 60mph (97km/h) in under four seconds.

For comparison, the manual Aston Martin V8 Vantage outputs 321kW/490Nm from a 4.7-litre V8 for a 0-100km/h dash of 4.8s, while the all-wheel-drive Jaguar F-Type R produces 405kW/680Nm from a supercharged 5.0-litre bent eight for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.1s.

While its powerplant may come from a US manufacturer, the Griffith has been engineered from the ground-up to stay “true to the brand’s rich heritage, while employing cutting-edge engineering” with an exterior “designed to be as striking as it is aerodynamically efficient”.

Resembling a cross between Toyota’s FT-1 Concept and a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, the Griffith wears classic sportscar proportions with a long bonnet, central cabin position and short rear overhang built on Gordon Murray Design’s iStream architecture.

A gaping grille sits prominently up front, while the bumper is designed to channel air towards two intakes positioned below the LED headlights.

In profile, the steeply raked windscreen and sleek roofline can be glimpsed, as well as the side-exit exhausts positioned below the front fenders.

At the rear, LED tail-lights, a functional diffuser and protruding spoiler are positioned around a heavily sculpted bumper to aid in aerodynamic efficiency.

Inside, the minimalist cabin is trimmed in leather and Alcantara with controls angled towards the driver, a central-mounted portrait infotainment screen between occupants and all-digital instrumentation tucked behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Measuring 4314mm long, 1850mm wide and 1239mm high, TVR claims the Griffith is only the second front-engined production car to sport an entirely flat floor, which increases downforce for more stable high-speed performance and better grip in the corners.

With perfect 50:50 weight distribution of less than 1250kg, the Griffith will capitalise on its balanced handling characteristics with double wishbone suspension and damper-adjustable coilovers and concenctric springs at both front and rear axles.

Steering will be aided by a specially developed electric unit which ensures “easy manoeuvrability at low speeds without comprising feel or stability”, according to TVR.

The Griffith will maintain contact to the road via double-staggered wheels with 19-inch hoops wrapped in 235/35 rubber up front and 20-inch wheels shod in 275/30 tyres in the rear.

Tucked behind will be monster six-piston callipers clamping down on two-piece 370mm ventilated front discs, with four-piston callipers and 350mm discs in the rear.

Safety systems include an anti-lock braking system and adjustable traction control.

While it is still unclear if the TVR Griffith will be made available in markets outside the UK, the British car-maker will offer 500 special Launch Edition variants starting from £90,000 ($A147,474) which feature bespoke exterior colours, full leather interior and unique wheel designs.

TVR chairman, and former Electronic Arts vice president, Les Edgar said the new Griffith retains all the charm of a old-school TVR while bringing its technology to the modern standard.

“This is unmistakably a TVR, a British muscle car that’s awesome and brutal as it is charismatic and refined,” he said. “Importantly, the new TVR offers levels of technical sophistication, comfort, reliability and practicality never seen by the brand before.”