TVR 400SE

TVR 400SE
Overview
Manufacturer	TVR
Also called	TVR 400SX TVR 430SE TVR 450SE
Production	1988 - 1991
Designer	Oliver Winterbottom
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	TVR Wedge
Powertrain
Engine	TVR Power Rover V8
Transmission	5 spd manual
Chronology
Predecessor	TVR 390SE
Successor	TVR Griffith

The TVR 400/450SE was a series of open sports cars designed and built by TVR in the late eighties and early nineties. The 400SE was introduced in 1988, the 450SE a year later. The 400SE was the last of the Wedges built, with the last cars being produced in late 1991 and registered in 1992.^[1] There were also special versions built, with two Sprintex supercharged 400SX built by dealer 'Northern TVR Centre' in 1989, and three Griffith engined 430SEs were constructed in 1991.^[2]

History

The 400SE was largely similar to late 390SEs, but featured marginally larger displacement - 3,948 versus 3,905 cc. The body was as for Series 2 390SEs, with the more rounded nose and a large rear underbody aerofoil. An asymmetrically vented bonnet hinted at what was underneath, and there was a large rear spoiler (smaller than the 'bathtray' style used on the SEAC, but still large). The appearance was considerably more mature than the wild SEAC, but both suffered from the large transmission tunnel which cramped the footwell and serious heatsink from the large engines. On the plus side was the "phenomenal noise" and "exhilarating acceleration".^[3]

Ventilated front disc brakes and fifteen inch wheels were standard fitment, with power steering available and later made standard. In 1989 the even bigger engined 450SE appeared, with an extra 45 bhp but otherwise hard to distinguish from the 400. Production of the 450SE ended in 1990 after 35 had been built.^[3]

There was also the 1989 400SX, a supercharged version developed by "Northern TVR Centre" in Barrow-in-Furness. Along with DPR Forced Induction Systems Sprintex supercharger units were fitted, and while power and torque outputs are unknown the smaller engined 350SX showed increases of over thirty percent, which would mean ample power for most. The supercharged versions provided superrb mid-range punch, compared to the peakier naturally aspirated models.^[2]

The last development of the SE was the 430SE, three of which were built in 1991. They used the 4.3 litre V8 engine also seen in the recently introduced TVR Griffith; one of them was shown at the 1991 Birmingham Motor Show.^[2]

Specifications

Version	400SE[1][4]	450SE[1][4]	430SE[2]
Production	1988-1991	1989-1990	1991
Engine	TVR Power Rover V8, EFi OHV
Displacement	3,948 cc	4,441 cc	4,280 cc
	94.0 x 71.12 mm	94.0 x 80.0 mm	94.0 x 77.1 mm[5]
Power	275 bhp (205 kW; 279 PS) at 5,500 rpm	320 bhp (239 kW; 324 PS) at 5,700 rpm	280 bhp (209 kW; 284 PS) at 5,500 rpm
Torque	270 lb·ft (366 N·m) at 3,500 rpm	310 lb·ft (420 N·m) at 4,000 rpm	305 lb·ft (414 N·m) at 4,000 rpm
Top Speed	145 mph (233 km/h)	150 mph (241 km/h)	n/a
Acceleration (0–60 mph)	5.6 sec	5.2 sec	n/a
Acceleration (0–100 mph)	14.8 sec	n/a	n/a
Chassis	Tubular spaceframe, rear-wheel drive
Body	Fibreglass, 2-seater convertible
Weight	1,160 kg (2,557 lb)	1,216 kg (2,681 lb)
Transmission	Five speed gearbox (LT77)
Wheels	225/50 VR15, 8J x 15 rims
Wheelbase	2,387 mm (94.0 in)
Track (F/R)	1,450 / 1,480 mm (57.1 / 58.3 in)
Length/Width/ Height	4,013 / 1,728 / 1,205 mm (158.0 / 68.0 / 47.5 in)

References

1. "TVR Wedge: SE's". Pistonheads.com. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
2. "TVR Wedge Specials". Pistonheads.com. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
3. Clements, Alastair (April 2000). "Classic & Sports Car Magazine" 19 (1). Retrieved 2010-12-14.
4. Mastrostefano, Raffaele, ed. (1990). Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1990 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. p. 1100.
5. Auto Katalog 1993. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG. 1992. pp. 26–27, Technische Daten tearout.