TVR Tuscan Mk1 4.0 2001

Details

The Tuscan Speed Six was introduced in 1999 and was available for media demonstration in 2000. The reason being then owner Peter Wheeler imposing a ban on press reviews of the car. Initially, the Tuscan Speed Six was fitted with the 4.0 litre version of the TVR Speed Six engine rated at 360 hp (365 PS) at 7,000 rpm and 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm. Later, a Red Rose pack option raised the power output to 380 hp (385 PS), bringing with it track-focused chassis upgrades as well as an AP Racing braking system. The high performance Tuscan S was the top-of-the-line model rated at 390 hp (395 PS) and had aerodynamic improvements over the base models, most notably a rear lip spoiler to improve downforce.

The Tuscan Speed Six underwent a facelift in 2005 and was now called the Tuscan 2. Exterior changes featured a redesigned front grille and headlamps along with more conventional taillamps. Mechanical changes involved revised spring rates, improved steering response and different suspension geometry to make the car easier to drive on public roads. The base models were detuned to 350 hp (355 PS) and 393 N⋅m (290 lb⋅ft) while still retaining the basic weight figure of 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). The interior was also refreshed and featured a more conventional and ergonomic layout. Production lasted until the closure of TVR in 2006

Speed Six refers to the TVR designed and manufactured straight six engine fitted to the final TVR model range right up up to the closure of the TVR factory. The Speed Six Engine was announced for the Griffith Speed Six at the 1996 Motor Show. The engine was then shown in a Cerbera in 1997 as an alternative to the AJP V8 but was the only engine used in the Tuscan, then the Tamora, the T350, Sagaris, T400, T440 and Typhon. 

TVR Tuscan at the UK Motorshow

1998 - TVR got rather fond of the Tuscan name, first used in the 1960's for a V8 and V6 car. It was later used for the Challenge Race Series cars with both Rover and AJP V8 power. Various road Tuscans were announced but the near final form was shown at the 1998 Motor Show. There were ultimately five versions of the Speed Six engine made available over the years; the initial 3.6 litre and four versions of the 4.0 litre.

2000 - The first deliveries began to customers in early 2000. However TVR haven't finished with the name with Red Rose versions and Tuscan S derivatives.

2002 - A new, larger 2+2 car was labelled Tuscan R in 2002, but later changed name to T400, T440 and Typhon, depending on power output. A race version, the T400R went on to race at Le Mans in 2003 and 2004.

2004 - To add to the mix at the 2004 Motorshow TVR introduced a Tuscan Convertible and restyled Tuscan Mk II and Tuscan MkII S. The changes were mostly cosmetic such as the front and rear lights, dashboard and the distinctive S model spoilers . As was common throughout production at TVR there were no driver aids such as traction control, airbags or ABS as they believed their cars were safer without them.

2006 - The last production Tuscans were produced under the ownership of Nikolai Smolenski, arguably the best quality cars TVR ever produced prior to the closure of the factory in 2006.

2013 - A few years later a Chevrolet  LS3 engined Tuscan was produced by Smolenski's team, but it would have cost over £100,000 so the project was shelved. However this car was rebuilt by TVR specialist Str8six and name the Tuscan Vulcan. They had already produced a few 'new' Tuscans  using the last few body shells sold off by the factory.

Colours...

One of the stand out features of the Tuscan range was TVRs first regular use of Spectraflair, Reflex, Pearl and Chromaflair paints, you may also hear these called 'flips', 'tricolour' or 'chameleon' paints. They can make blue cars turn green when viewed from different angles, or copper turned to purple. See more about TVR paint and colours here.
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