What's the news?
The smell of resin in the old TVR factory in Blackpool was overwhelming when cars were still being made there - massive body panels and shells being made in fibreglass created a distinctive whiff. Now though, for the revived TVR, the smell is going to be more akin to a motorsports factory than the stick-it-together-in-the-shed philosophy of old TVR. For the new TVRs are going to be carbon fibre based...
Well, the first ones will be anyway. TVR has today confirmed that its first new models, due to be revealed and sold later this year, are going to use all-carbon-fibre tubs designed by legendary Formula One and sports car guru Gordon Murray. Murray's low-cost, low-sate iStream process has brought the cost of making the carbon tubs and panels down to a reasonable level, although TVR says that the all-carbon construction will only be used on the first models off the line, and then made available as an option. More affordable models will use more traditional CFRP and fibreglass construction.
Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: "Historically, carbon fibre has been reserved for motorsport and high-end supercars, but now TVR will be offering customers a slice of that technology at a fraction of the price. The spotlight has been on us from the start, and with the help of Gordon Murray Design and its innovative processes, we have made sure that our new sports car can really shine and deliver beyond expectations. The carbon manufacturing process really is a game changer, and one I'm delighted to offer to all of our early adopter Launch Edition customers within the package cost. I am sure those models will be much coveted, but carbon will continue to be available as a cost option."
Edgar confirmed that the revived TVR currently holds slight more than 300 deposits for its as-yet-unseen sports car, and that all of these deposit holders will be offered the upgrade to all-carbon chassis at no cost.
"The response has been fantastic" he said. "With deposits continuing to flow in, we will be looking to close the order book for the Launch Edition car shortly. Our intent is to unveil the styling of the new car in the coming months at a public event, although we will be conducting car clinics before then. There will be an opportunity for deposit holders to register interest if they would like to participate."
Gordon Murray, Chairman of Gordon Murray Design comments: "From early on it became apparent that there was no reason why we couldn't develop a carbon fibre chassis structure for the new TVR at a lower cost than manufacturing processes previously allowed. Our iStream Carbon technology is the world's first affordable, yet high volume, carbon fibre chassis and body structure and sets new standards in the automotive industry for chassis lightweighting, rigidity and safety. I am delighted that TVR is able to offer a carbon fibre option and bring the lightweight TVR principle back to life in a very exciting contemporary way."