TVR Tuscan Speed Six

For the TVR Tuscan of 1967 to 1971, see TVR Tuscan (1967).

TVR Tuscan Speed Six
Overview
Manufacturer	TVR
Production	1999 - 2006
Assembly	Blackpool, United Kingdom
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door Targa top 2-door convertible
Layout	Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	Fiberglass body over tubular steel chassis
Related	TVR Sagaris TVR Tuscan Challenge
Powertrain
Engine	3.6 L straight-6 Speed Six 4.0 L (3996 cc) Speed Six 4.2 L
Transmission	Borg Warner T5 5 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,336 mm (92.0 in)
Length	4,235 mm (166.7 in)
Width	1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height	1,200 mm (47.2 in)
Curb weight	1,100 kg (2,425 lb)

The TVR Tuscan is a sports car which was manufactured by TVR in the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2006.

Specifications

Engine

Five different inline six engine options were offered to customers. Four of these were variants of the 4.0 L Speed Six making different amounts of power and torque, depending on the trim level selected. The last was a 3.6 L Speed Six which produced the same amount of power as the lowest-level 4.0 L engine, although slightly less torque.

• Bore and stroke: 96 mm (3.8 in) by 92 mm (3.6 in) (4.0 L) or 96 mm (3.8 in) by 83 mm (3.3 in) (3.6 L)
• Power and torque:

• 3.6L Mk1: 350 bhp (261 kW; 355 PS), 290 lb·ft (390 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk1: 360 bhp (268 kW), 310 lb·ft (420 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk1 Red Rose: 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS), 310 lb·ft (420 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk1 S (pre-2003): 390 bhp (291 kW; 395 PS), 310 lb·ft (420 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk1 S (post-2003): 400 bhp (298 kW; 406 PS), 315 lb·ft (427 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk2 (post-2005): 380 bhp (283 kW), 310 lb·ft (420 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk2 S (post-2005): 400 bhp (298 kW; 406 PS), 315 lb·ft (427 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk2 Convertible (post-2005): 360 bhp (268 kW), 310 lb·ft (420 N·m)
• 4.0L Mk2 Convertible Red Rose (post-2005): 380 bhp (283 kW), 310 lb·ft (420 N·m)
• 4.2L Mk2 T440R (2003): 440 bhp (328 kW) @7600 rpm, 475 N·m (350 lb·ft) @/6000 rpm

Chassis

Even though there have been numerous tweaks to the Tuscan's chassis and suspension, the overall size and appearance of the variants remain virtually identical apart from minor aerodynamic aids to the S model in the form of an undertray in the front and a small boot-lid spoiler on the rear.

In October 2005 the "Mk 2" version of the Tuscan was introduced, though in reality this was just a minor facelift. The modifications were restricted to cosmetic changes to the front and rear lights, the dashboard, and the spoilers on the S model plus some minor changes to the chassis to improve the handling. At the same time, a new variant a full soft top was introduced alongside the original targa version.

Performance

• 0-30 mph: 1.72 s
• 0-60 mph: 3.68 s
• 0-100 mph: 8.08 s
• 100-0 mph: 4.15 s

A Tuscan T400R racing model run by Team LNT in the Le Mans Series.

It is worth noting that these test results were achieved in a post-2003 Tuscan S without traction-control or anti-lock brakes. TVR's design philosophy holds that such features do not improve either the performance or safety of their vehicles and thus they are not so equipped. TVR rejects the notion that these features, along with airbags, are "safety devices" and believes that, based on testing and experience, their cars are safer without these things than with them.^[1]

A modified version of the car was used in the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans, and again the following year.

References

1. "The Wheeler Interview: Ted quizzes TVR's Chairman on ABS, airbags and safety" 18 April 2004, retrieved on 2009-01-31

External links

• Official TVR website
• Information on the Tuscan from tvrtalk.com
• An interview with Peter Wheeler, owner of TVR when the Tuscan was developed, in which he explains why he claims his cars are safer without airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction-control systems