2003 TVR Tuscan T440R

With the T440R, traditional strengths have been taken to an altogether higher level. Its stunning bodywork is all carbonfibre, its massively strong chassis uses aluminium honeycomb to greatly improve its stiffness, and its hugely powerful engine is connected to TVR’s own six speed sequential gearbox. It is TVR’s technological tour de force, a 215 mph showcase for TVR’s abilities.

Two versions of the car are available – the T400R which has a 400 bhp 4 litre engine and the ultimate T440R. The engine of the T440R is a derivative of TVR’s own Speed Six engine but has been extensively developed in order to produce a huge 440 bhp. It is bigger than any other TVR six cylinder engine at 4.2 litres and has a raft of high tech Motorsport componentry. 60 mph comes up in less than 4 seconds but it is from there to its top speed of 215 mph that the Tuscan R really leaves the competition standing.

To cope with all that power, the car has not just a new chassis, but a new type of chassis. Designed from the ground up with the aid of sophisticated CAD/CAM software, the rigidity of the steel chassis is added to significantly by the race-type rollcage and the use of aluminium honeycomb and carbonfibre for the floor.

Also a first for a roadgoing TVR is to have adjustable dampers whereby customers will be able to fine-tune the suspension set up of their T440Rs for road or circuit use. Brakes are powerful ventilated discs all round with four piston callipers at the front with a high performance option of even bigger discs and six piston callipers for even better stopping ability.

You can count the number of road cars that have had all-carbonfibre bodywork on the fingers of one hand – Mclaren F1, Ferrari F40 and now TVR T440R. More normally found in the aerospace or Motorsport industries, this material is expensive but is extraordinarily light and strong.

Aerodynamics have played an increasingly significant role in the design of TVRs over the last few years and the T400R and T440R take this to the logical next level. A lot of attention has been paid to drag and lift with the result that its coupe shape owes most of its from to the demands of the aerodynamicists. A phenomenally low drag coefficient of 0.32 is the result of all this attention to detail and its virtually flat floor, front splitter and rear diffuser work together to give it unparalleled high speed stability.

The interior of the T440R reflects its race car underpinnings with a distinctly minimalist style pervading the interior. Unusually, the carbonfibre and aluminium structure of the car is highly polished and left on show, giving the cabin a utilitarian but extremely high quality feel. The seats are unique to the model and are manufactured from carbonfibre but trimmed from the highest quality Scottish hides.

Story by TVR Engineering Ltd