TVR Tuscan Speed Six

TVR Tuscan
Overview
Manufacturer	TVR
Also called	TVR Tuscan Speed-6
Production	1999 - present
Assembly	Blackpool, United kingdom
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	Coupé
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Fiberglass body over tubular steel chassis
Related	TVR Sagaris TVR Tuscan Challenge
Powertrain
Engine	straight-6, 4 valves/cylinder, 3.6 L (3605 cc) TVR Speed Six 4.0 L (3996 cc) TVR Speed Six
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 manufactured by TVR.

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:
  • Tuscan: 360 hp (268 kW), 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)
  • Tuscan Red Rose: 380 hp (283 kW), 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)
  • Tuscan S (pre-2003): 380 hp (283 kW), 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)
  • Tuscan S (post-2003): 400 hp (298 kW), 315 lb⋅ft (427 N⋅m)
  • 3.6 L: 350 hp (261 kW), 290 lb⋅ft (390 N⋅m)

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: 1.73 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.

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 his cars are safer without airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction-control systems