2002 TVR Tamora

The TVR Tamora followed the Tuscan in the new generation of TVRs. In the same way that the Chimaera was engineered to be a more accessible sister to the Griffith, so the Tamora is based on the Tuscan Speed Six, whose platform it shares.

Having been shown for the first time at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 2000, the first cars were delivered to customers in early January 2002.

With more conservative styling than its bigger stablemate and more easily recognisable TVR styling cues, the Tamora has been designed to be less extreme and indeed simpler in some aspects. For example, the car is a full convertible with the roof mechanism being the acclaimed stowable hardtop design from the Griffith and Chimaera. The covered headlights and clean lines have echoes of Griffith and Chimaera but are right up to date.

The engine is a new 3.6 litre version of TVR’s own straight six, pushing out 350 bhp at 7200 rpm and 290 ft. lb. of torque at 5500 rpm which will give the car extremely brisk performance. Maximum revs is at 8000 rpm. It shares the same dry sump, 24 valve technology as the 4.0 litre Speed Six engine found in the Cerbera and the Tuscan as well as that found in the successful Tuscan R racing car. It does, however, sound different due to an all-new stainless steel and titanium exhaust system.

Performance is on a par with much more exotic machinery with 60 mph coming up in 4.4 seconds and 100 mph in 9.5. Top speed is over 170 mph. Handling is benign but involving with double wishbones and coil springs over gas filled shock absorbers and the ride makes it easy to use every day. Riding on the 16 wheels of the standard Tuscan (18 inch wheels are an optional extra) but with its own British developed and made Avon ZZ3 tyres, the handling has been fine-tuned so as to provide a very high level of grip in both wet and dry with a very progressive breakaway in the end. The steering is an all-new arrangement with electrical assistance that gives an informative but not intimidating level of feedback.

Brakes are considerable cross drilled and ventilated discs all round (304mm front and 282mm rear) with four piston callipers at the front and the front roll cage and door beams are manufactured out of very strong T45 steel. Despite all this hardware, the composite bodywork and weight-saving construction methods means that this car is the lightest of the current generation of TVRs at just over 1,000 kg.

It is again the interior where the stylists and engineers have surpassed themselves with a multi-function digital display, shift lights and two analogue dials for quick glance down viewing of speed and engine revs. There are two race-style bucket seats made out of lightweight composites to hold the driver and passenger in place and a floor mounted pedal box that is mounted through to the chassis.

The car is named after Tamora, who was a Queen of the Goths.

Story by TVR Engineering Ltd