TVR Tuscan
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The TVR Tuscan is a sports car manufactured by TVR.
Contents |
[edit] Specifications
[edit] 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.
- Configuration: straight-6
- Valvetrain: 4 valves/cylinder
- Displacement: 4.0 L (3996 cc) or 3.6 L (3605 cc)
- Bore and stroke: 96 mm by 92 mm (4.0 L) or 96 mm by 83 mm (3.6 L)
- Power and torque:
- Tuscan: 360 hp (268.5 kW), 310 ft.lbf (420.3 Nm)
- Tuscan Red Rose: 380 hp (283.4 kW), 310 ft.lbf (420.3 Nm)
- Tuscan S (pre-2003): 390 hp (290.8 kW), 310 ft.lbf (420.3 Nm)
- Tuscan S (post-2003): 400 hp (298.3 kW), 315 ft.lbf (427.1 Nm)
- 3.6 L: 350 hp (261 kW), 290 ft.lbf (393.2 Nm)
[edit] 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.
- Length: 4235 mm (166.7 in)
- Width: 1810 mm (71.3 in)
- Height: 1200 mm (47.2 in)
- Weight: 1100 kg (2425.1 lb)
[edit] 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
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.
[edit] In popular culture
[edit] Movies
In the 2001 film Swordfish, the TVR Tuscan had a major role: it was the car that characters played by John Travolta and Hugh Jackman used to evade a gang of hit men. The director of the film, Dominic Sena, wanted something exotic for this particular sequence, and a right hand drive Tuscan with UK number plates was deemed suitable. So, three identical cars and a TVR engineer were shipped from the TVR factory in Blackpool to Hollywood for the filming.
This car was also used in the 2003 film Looney Tunes: Back in Action. The silver convertible TVR Tuscan is the true spy car of the Damian Drake character. The car has multiple "spy car" special effect features, such as voice activated auto pilot, jet assist speed boost, rear missiles, and auto valet. It is driven by Kate and Bugs to Las Vegas, where DJ takes over driving the car. After accidentally activating the auto flight mode, the car extends wings and flies by jet propulsion over Las Vegas and then the surrounding desert en route to Area 52. DJ tries to shift the car into reverse, which drops it from the sky crashing it into the Death Valley desert floor after a cartoon pause. Driver and passengers survived, despite the Tuscan having no airbags.
[edit] Video Games
The TVR Tuscan was one of the highest quality Class A cars in the game Forza Motorsport. It is also available in Gran Turismo 2, 3 and 4, as well as Test Drive Unlimited.
[edit] Music videos
A red TVR Tuscan 2 convertible features along with a blue TVR Tamora in the music video of the single "Something Kinda Ooooh" by British girl band Girls Aloud.
[edit] 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
