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TVR TUSCAN ROAD TEST
by Matt Nichols
It is perhaps not too surprising when first approaching this Mk1 Tuscan fitted with the infamous Speed Six engine that I wondered what exactly was going to happen next and whether I would be around afterwards to tell anyone about it. Why? Well everything about TVR is racy, edgy and shrouded in mystery, as the car manufacturers own history bears out.
In the beginning they made race cars that no-one in the UK even knew existed, as all were exclusively campaigned in America. Then they made road cars that were available in the UK and latterly fitted them with the now trademark V8 engines (Wilkinson Era). Ownership changes hands and V8’s are replaced by more modest Ford V6 power units in road going wedged shaped cars with no race car connection (Lilley era). Change of leadership once again, V8’s return aplenty and so does the racing with the Tuscan Challenge (Wheeler Era).
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| Distinctive pearlescent paint | On the move |
And now TVR has been kidnapped by a Russian and seemingly disappeared off the face of the planet, or has it?
Walking towards this car for the first time the most important question that springs to mind is how do you get into the thing and then more importantly back out again? The mystery continues and even though you may have read about door releases hidden under each wing mirror to get in, chances are you didn’t know about the buttons either side of the radio to get back out.
Once safely installed you next realise where Pagani may have got their Juke Box interior styling cues for the Zonda from. Gold dials and shiny rotating buttons are dotted all over the place with vanes as opposed to needles sweeping across gauges that are left partially obscured. I can only imagine the result of an over exuberant spending spree in the tin section of a Moroccan Souk meeting the clock makers version of Scrapyard Challenge on the way back to the factory.
The drama doesn’t stop there either, no, in fact the drama hasn’t even really begun. After bypassing the immobiliser it is time to put the key in the ignition and fire up the bespoke engine which immediately responds, confirming that although the Tuscan is a leather clad glitzy sports car for the road on the outside, underneath it is basically a GT2 racer. Select first gear and pull away and you believe that you are no longer on a road somewhere in the Cotswolds but actually bound for Le Mans where the 24 hour race is about to start.
All the primary controls are meaty and there is absolutely no give or slack meaning you are connected to the road like any race car would be. This provides quite a contrast given the pearlescent paint job and large expanse of hide not to mention shiny dashboard and related trinkets.
On the move never before has any car commanded so much of my attention so quickly, this car spoke to me and said ‘I’m up for this, are you? Because if you are then focus if you expect to survive’. And boy is it fast generating a noise that fills the cabin sounding like nothing else and touching every sensory nerve ending in your body. It’s a seductive car as well that sucks you into its lair and before I knew what I was doing I was in that imaginary race going for fifth gear with my right foot well and truly buried until I realised that not all the blood tingling noises in the cabin were actually coming from the car (sorry darling!) yes it was time to slow down.
The TVR Tuscan makes you fear nothing, on a dry road it puts all of its power down without fuss and without any driver aids either, as ABS and Traction Control are both absent. It commands respect and you definitely feel inclined to give it all of yours and then some. The good news is that the ride is not crashy or the car impossible to pilot, there is still the very comfortable leather interior to relax into with air con and a clever electronic dashboard allowing you to decide what gets displayed. Outside of rain, mud, ice or snow if there is a situation where you have to be mindful it’s where there are any undulations or bumps mid bend because the front end will suddenly skip outwards away from the apex, something that is fairly easy to correct.
This masculine sports car is also surprisingly practical with a boot that falls deep behind the back axle easily able to carry a good amount of luggage or a set of golf clubs, even with the removable roof stored. As someone who appreciates cars that deliver performance and great driving dynamics I rate this Blackpool beauty very highly and would suggest that the TVR Tuscan is a must ‘drive before you die’ car. The bonus being that as long as you give it the respect it deserves those two events should remain a safe distance apart.
Verdict - 2000 TVR Tuscan Mk1
Driving
GT2 race car dynamics grab your attention immediately and command respect whilst rewarding you with every single successful driver input. Sumptuous interior allows you to relax between races, sorry fast flowing roads.
Engine
TVR Speed Six motor produces fantastic noise and power encouraging you to push hard towards the red line in every gear.
Performance
Max Power 360 bhp @ 7200 rpm
Max Torque 290 ft.lbs @ 5500 rpm
0 to 60 mph: 4.2 seconds
0 to 100 mph: 9.6 seconds
Max Speed: 180 mph
Brakes
Well judged feel with a firm pedal and no ABS.
Front: 304mm ventilated discs with 4 piston alloy calipers
Rear: 282mm ventilated discs with single piston sliding calipers
Handling
Meaty direct steering combines well with the all round independent suspension, double wishbones, coil over gas dampers, anti-roll bars and low mass to ensure a great handling package. Be aware of the road surface though as any bumps will upset the front end.
Desirability
Looks and performance only tinged by reliability concerns that accompany any potential TVR purchase if you’re in the market.
Pro’s
Race car for the road perfromance and dynamics, bespoke interior and timeless design.
Con’s
Renting - None.
Buying - Expensive service and maintenance costs.
Overall
4/5
