TVR T440R

There Are Still Those Who See TVRs As Relatively Unsophisticated Brutes. The T440R May Change A Few Opinions. Andy Enright Reports

Of late, carbon fibre has become something of a performance car cliché. Many manufacturers looking to imbue their wares with a little sporting appeal have resorted to a carbon-effect centre console or wing mirrors. Few choose to use the real stuff, as its expensive, tricky to work with and most customers wouldnt be able to tell the difference in any case. Believe it or not, but the number of production cars with bodies built entirely of carbon fibre can be counted on one hand.

The McLaren F1 and the Ferrari F40 are typical examples. So is the TVR T440R.

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Depreciation
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TVR? Yes, you did read it right. More commonly associated with the aerospace and motorsport industries, carbon fibre is incredibly light and strong. As weve indicated, its also costly which helps lift the T440Rs price to a hefty £69,995. If you think thats a lot of money, consider how much youd need to spend in order to get a Porsche, Lamborghini or Ferrari that was capable of 215mph and which could accelerate to 60mph in comfortably under four seconds.

The T440R plunders this upper tier of supercar performance with a price tag that suddenly looks like a Blackpool bargain. Thats if you can lay your hands on one. The company has come a long way over the past few years. The time when if a model looked right on a designers sketch pad got it the green light for production are long gone.

TVR have belatedly realised the importance of effective aerodynamics and the effect on their wares handling, performance and, yes, even economy has been a revelation. A great deal of attention has been paid to the T440Rs shape and the low lift and efficient co-efficient of just 0.32 is testament to the effectiveness of the virtually flat floor, the front splitter and the rear diffuser. Compared to the fidgety high speed rides of some old TVR models, the T440R promises rock solid stability.

Given that the T440R has been developed with racing in mind, its no surprise to find a very focused feel inside. The trademark TVR style is evident, however, with polished aluminium and carbon fibre parts on display. The seats are also constructed from carbon fibre trimmed with Scottish hides while the instrument cluster features a Formula One style digital display and LED rev counter. An information system allows the driver to monitor gearbox and differential oil temperatures and an optional sports pack also features a lap timing facility.

Not since Nissans Skyline GT-R34 featured a g-force meter has there been a distraction thats quite so much fun.

"The T440R plunders the upper tier of supercar performance"

The gear change is a six-speed sequential system which harnesses the power from the 440bhp straight-six cylinder engine. The Speed Six engine has been a notable TVR success story in recent years and has erased the old belief that a TVR without eight cylinders up front was something less than the full monty. This car has a 4.0-litre engine with twelve injectors effectively a replica of TVRs Le Mans engine but only one example has ever been built.

Customers will instead have more luck ordering the supercharged £79,995 TVR Typhon range topper. This 500bhp monster features twin intercoolers and a power to weight ratio that matches the McLaren F1. Insiders predict a top speed of well over 200mph and a sprint to 60mph in 3.5 seconds.

This period marks a spell of intense activity for TVR. Alongside the Typhon comes the Sagaris the name derived from the ancient Greek for war axe - and its aptly titled. Sharing the same chassis as the T350, Tuscan and Tamora, the Sagaris looks as if somebody has liberally taken an axe to the bodywork. With more slashes, vents and gills than its possible to countenance, the Sagaris is a love it or hate it affair.

Priced at just £49,995, however, its sure to prove popular with those who feel that the Noble M12 GTO-3R has become a little expensive and the Porsche 911 a little too common. Porsches 911 GT3 is way dearer, BMWs M3 CSL has reached the end of its production run and Ferraris 360 Challenge Stradale operates in a different galaxy pricewise. Slashes or otherwise, TVR may have hit on something here. The T440R is a rather more singular proposition.

If you do have the £69,995 that TVR charge for the T440R good luck. Its a beast.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: TVR T440R
PRICE: £69,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 20
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 215mph / 0-60mph 3.7s [est]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 18mpg [est]
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3974/1835/1195mm