What's the news?
After all the speculation and teasers, the resurrected TVR has finally shown us its all-new sports coupe and revealed its name. And it's going to be called the Griffith, a nameplate used between 1991 and 2002.
The Griffith MkII was shown to media and visitors at the Goodwood Revival event, where the company said it had cutting-edge engineering, an aerodynamically efficient body and lots of downforce; the British manufacturer says it is only the second front-engined production car to feature a flat floor.
TVR is making big noises about the 'Spirit of Driving' and says that the Griffith uses 'intelligent engineering', rather than electronic driving aids. What we already know is that Gordon Murray Design's iStream architecture means there's lots of carbon fibre in the TVR's make-up, meaning it weight just 1,250kg, has high torsional rigidity and boasts 50:50 weight distribution.
Up front is a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre Cosworth-enhanced V8 that is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox, driving the rear wheels. TVR claims the Griffith has 406hp-per-tonne, is capable of 0-100km/h in less than four seconds and can run on to the magic 320km/h - and beyond.
The version revealed at Goodwood is the Launch Edition, of which 500 are being made at a cost of around £90,000, which is roughly €100,000 on a straight exchange but of course it would be a lot more money than that to import one to Ireland.
Anything else?
Les Edgar, TVR's chairman, said: "Today's unveiling is the culmination of nearly three years of tireless work by the team, and we're all proud to be able to show the new TVR Griffith to the world. This is unmistakably a TVR, a British muscle car that's as awesome and brutal as it is charismatic and refined. Importantly, the new TVR offers levels of technical sophistication, comfort, reliability and practicality never seen by the brand before."
TVR also heavily hinted at a return to motorsport, as it previewed the new Griffith in a pace car livery.