2005 TVR Tuscan 2

May 22nd, 2004, Birmingham Motor Show-The most important debut of all for TVR at the 2004 Birmingham Show is that of the Tuscan 2. The TVR Tuscan Speed Six originally went into production early in 2000 and since then TVR have built more than 2,500 of them. The changes to the car are significant:

-New styling & improved aerodynamic package -Evolved styling with improved aerodynamic package -Spring, damper and anti-roll bar combinations for Tuscan S -New dashboard including new digital instrument binnacle, flat panel speakers, starter button and door and window controls -Revised seats with extra lateral support available and revised seatbelt design

The design brief for the Tuscan was that it should be a car in which the roof should come off while having sufficient for two people and their luggage to go on holiday for a month, in safety, with creature comforts like air conditioning and power steering but without the car weighing much more than 1000kg.

The chassis is based on that of the Cerbera but in this case is 8 inches shorter. This means that it has improved interior room over the Griffith and Chimaera but as the overall thinking behind it, and indeed the dimensions, stem from the Tuscan Challenge racing car, the balance of the chassis between ride and handling is as well honed as ever. The other advantage of basing the chassis on that of TVR’s one make race series car is that there is probably no chassis anywhere in the world that has been so often and so comprehensively crash tested. Safety has been uppermost in the designers thoughts throughout the process and the roll cage, door beams and transverse aluminium tube are evidence of that. The brakes are 294mm at the front with superb four pot aluminium callipers and are 273mm at the rear.

While it might be possible to say that the exterior design of the car is relatively extravagant in concept, TVR has taken a minimalist approach to the interior. The very highest quality components have been used and once again, function has determined form. The curved aluminium top to the dash, for example, actually acts as one of the transverse strengthening beams for the car. The pedal box, again hand made from extremely high quality components, is left on show as it would be a shame to hide craftsmanship like it and it also serves to make individual fittings for customers that much easier.

The Tuscan 2 also sees a return to the starter and stop buttons system seen on the Cerbera back at the Motor Show back in 1993 and much copied by other manufacturers since. The door and window controls are developed from those used in the flagship Typhon range. Machined from billet aluminium the switchgear is as elegant as it is easy to use.

TVR’s suspension engineers have not been idle. All TVRs on the Tuscan platform now feature new suspension geometry adding more castor and camber change to suit the latest tyre designs with the rack position having to move to maintain zero bump steer. While this has necessitated an adjustment to the rack height, the opportunity has been taken to use the electro-hydraulic power assisted steering rack from the Tamora and the T350, which has had its speed reduced by 10%.

The seats of the Tuscan have always featured removable squabs for additional lateral location but the seats have now been redesigned to make that level of lateral design permanent. As TVRs are all built to order, customers who prefer a higher seating position will be able to specify one as will those who wish for the extra two inches of legroom and headroom on top of the snugger seat arrangement.

Orders are now being taken for the Tuscan 2 for delivery in June-July 2005.

Story by TVR Cars Ltd, edited by Supercars.net

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
price $	$75 000 USD
engine	Aluminum Alloy Inline-6 w/Dry Sump Lubrication
position	Front, Londitudinal
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Sequential Multi-Point Fuel Injection
displacement	3996 cc / 243.9 in³
power	272.2 kw / 365 bhp @ 6800 rpm
specific output	91.34 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	331.82 bhp per tonne
torque	427.08 nm / 315 ft lbs @ 6000 rpm
driven wheels	RWD w/Limited Slip
wheel type	Aluminum Alloy
front tires	225/50ZR16
rear tires	225/55ZR16
front brakes	Vented Brakes w/4-Piston Calipers
f brake size	x 304 mm / x 12.0 in
rear brakes	Vented Brakes w/Single-Piston Sliding Calipers
r brake size	x 282 mm / x 11.1 in
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Hydraulic Power Assist
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coi lover Gas Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coi lover Gas Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight	1167 kg / 2573 lbs
wheelbase	2361 mm / 93.0 in
front track	1470 mm / 57.9 in
rear track	1470 mm / 57.9 in
length	4235 mm / 166.7 in
width	1810 mm / 71.3 in
height	1200 mm / 47.2 in
transmission	Five-Speed Manual
gear ratios	:1
top speed	~257.5 kph / 160 mph
0 – 60 mph	~4.2 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~9.0 seconds