TVR to build new "Speed 12"

[Dave A]

The way TVR has survived until now (true enthusiasts) is not the way Smolenski wants TVR to survive in the future. By definition, such an increase in sales would require "broadening TVR's horizons". TVR is not rolling in money the way Porsche is, but they want to be (who wouldn't?). To follow Porsche's strategy of making a Boxster or >shudder< a Cayenne, that would give them more than enough capital to properly develop their Speed12 v2. Given the expected -- and denied -- released of the last Speed12, combined with Smolenski's need to make TVR as reliable as a Lexus, that will take mucha mucha money.

Not really, I userstand the need for certain extra options to make them popular in the American market, but that's probably it. The increase in sales will come from having dealer networks globally rather than in the UK and Japan and the odd single dealer elsewhere and by inproving build quality. The concept of TVR building a 4x4 is ridiculou, Smolenski is not interested at all in heaing down that route, he has expressed his desire to keep TVR's tradition and to keep building fast, powerful, British sports cars. It's what TVR are now that attracted him into buying one originally, he doesn't want to change what TR are, and for good reason. 5000 cars a year is not aptch on Porsche or Ferrari, nor does Smolenski want to become another Porsche or Ferrari. One of his key strategies is keeping TVR exclusive, a lot more exclusive than a Porsche. Nor do they require any new strategy to fund the TVR Speed 12 v2, beacsue that was built in 1999, but nor do they need to change anything to fund the next Speed 12, they're already developing it. A quick inlux of money is no problem for TVR, Smolenski has plenty of it, and he has already shown that he is willing to put his money where his mouth is. Like I said, I can see America needing automatic amongst other things as an option but nowhere else will.

 

[Poverty]

If TVR is trying to "restrict" production to 5,000 ("more than double TVR's peak"), then they are expecting some high demand, somewhere along the lines of Aston Martin or at least Lamborghini. That means, in the US market, that there will be cars and/or options that will be considered a "sellout" by TVR true believers. Something to dilute the hardcore nature of TVR.

The way TVR has survived until now (true enthusiasts) is not the way Smolenski wants TVR to survive in the future. By definition, such an increase in sales would require "broadening TVR's horizons". TVR is not rolling in money the way Porsche is, but they want to be (who wouldn't?). To follow Porsche's strategy of making a Boxster or >shudder< a Cayenne, that would give them more than enough capital to properly develop their Speed12 v2. Given the expected -- and denied -- released of the last Speed12, combined with Smolenski's need to make TVR as reliable as a Lexus, that will take mucha mucha money.

I agree with this, once TVR hit theyre 5000units target, that target will be pushed further upwards to sell more units. Smolenski will be looking to make major money off TVR, but he's doing it cleverly. Russians dont go into business to be so-so, and smolenski isnt abramovich who has so much money he has practically no desire to make any more. Smolenski's fortune is estimated at 100million, and in the automotive world thats nothing.

5000 cars a year is not aptch on Porsche or Ferrari, nor does Smolenski want to become another Porsche or Ferrari.

Ferrari dont sell 5000 cars a year, and neither do lamborghini.

 

[Dave A]

I was pretty sure Ferrari did, lamborghini don't, I know that, hence why I never said they did.

 

[Scaff]

If TVR is trying to "restrict" production to 5,000 ("more than double TVR's peak"), then they are expecting some high demand, somewhere along the lines of Aston Martin or at least Lamborghini. That means, in the US market, that there will be cars and/or options that will be considered a "sellout" by TVR true believers. Something to dilute the hardcore nature of TVR.

At present TVR sales are principally focused on the UK with a small amount of sales from a few other countries.

TVR could reach its proposed sales target of 5k and still focus on enthusiast's simply by opening up sales in other markets. Russia and the Middle East alone would have a big impact on sales, simply by targeting the enthusiasts in these markets.

The way TVR has survived until now (true enthusiasts) is not the way Smolenski wants TVR to survive in the future. By definition, such an increase in sales would require "broadening TVR's horizons". TVR is not rolling in money the way Porsche is, but they want to be (who wouldn't?). To follow Porsche's strategy of making a Boxster or >shudder< a Cayenne, that would give them more than enough capital to properly develop their Speed12 v2. Given the expected -- and denied -- released of the last Speed12, combined with Smolenski's need to make TVR as reliable as a Lexus, that will take mucha mucha money.

Well as Smolenski has publicly stated that he want's TVR to remain true to its core values, then either you have an inside line to his brain and what he has said publicly are lies or your assersion that he needs to radically change the TVR core values is little more than speculation on your part.

Apparently, you haven't seen Ja Rule's garage.... Or anyone else with more money than brains who buys $30,000 toys on a whim, drives their R500 Evo once in a while, sends it into the hedges, and goes back to get an Atom.

Haven't we been through this with Prince Nasseem and his SLR-McLaren? Or the Swede(?) and his Enzo? You don't think the not-so-rich are buying not-so-expensive go-fast toys?

And the vast majority of Ariel and Caterham customers fall into this bracket do they? Quite simply no they do not, how many Areil or Caterham owners have you actually spoken to?

Additionally the other cars you mention here (SLR and Enzo) i have already said fall into a totally different catagory, and no I do not think that the majority of Caterham and Areil customers are the "not-so-rich are buying not-so-expensive go-fast toys" they are mostly bought by people who want to use the cars as intended, be that on the road or the track.

Regards

Scaff

 

[ExigeEvan]

If TVR is trying to "restrict" production to 5,000 ("more than double TVR's peak"), then they are expecting some high demand, somewhere along the lines of Aston Martin or at least Lamborghini. That means, in the US market, that there will be cars and/or options that will be considered a "sellout" by TVR true believers. Something to dilute the hardcore nature of TVR.

TVR aren't neccesarily looking for higher demand, they're trying to make themselves more accesible to foreign markets. In these markets there could quite possibly be alot of TVR fansn that are just unable to purchase teh cars due to local restrictions or just simple importing.

The way TVR has survived until now (true enthusiasts) is not the way Smolenski wants TVR to survive in the future. By definition, such an increase in sales would require "broadening TVR's horizons". TVR is not rolling in money the way Porsche is, but they want to be (who wouldn't?). To follow Porsche's strategy of making a Boxster or >shudder< a Cayenne, that would give them more than enough capital to properly develop their Speed12 v2. Given the expected -- and denied -- released of the last Speed12, combined with Smolenski's need to make TVR as reliable as a Lexus, that will take mucha mucha money.

TVR will never be as reliable as Lexus. I doubt they aim to make their cars as reliable as lexus either. Simply because TVR engines by tradition are fairly high revers and produce good power without forced induction.

Apparently, you haven't seen Ja Rule's garage.... Or anyone else with more money than brains who buys $30,000 toys on a whim, drives their R500 Evo once in a while, sends it into the hedges, and goes back to get an Atom.

I've watched Cribs (Most daytime TV sucks) and I don't think I've seen any star, footballer, basketball etc whos had a sports car that doesn't have aircon, full leather interior, and a 12 inch sub in the back.

Haven't we been through this with Prince Nasseem and his SLR-McLaren? Or the Swede(?) and his Enzo? You don't think the not-so-rich are buying not-so-expensive go-fast toys?

Rich people buy superfast-extreme-luxury cars. A TVR is not exactly luxury.

 

[harrytuttle]

Not really, I userstand the need for certain extra options to make them popular in the American market, but that's probably it. The increase in sales will come from having dealer networks globally rather than in the UK and Japan and the odd single dealer elsewhere and by inproving build quality. The concept of TVR building a 4x4 is ridiculou, Smolenski is not interested at all in heaing down that route, he has expressed his desire to
keep TVR's tradition and to keep building fast, powerful, British sports cars.

Porsche is committed to building fast, powerful, German sports cars, only they use the Cayenne to bolster their bankroll. I never said there'd be a TVR SUV, but the idea of taking the edge off TVR cars is inevitable in the US market. We're too fat for all that.

Nor do they require any new strategy to fund the TVR Speed 12 v2, beacsue that was built in 1999, but nor do they need to change anything to fund the next Speed 12, they're already developing it. A quick inlux of money is no problem for TVR, Smolenski has plenty of it, and he has already shown that he is willing to put his money where his mouth is.

Building and properly developing are two different things. There was barely a handful of Speed12's made, and none sold if I remember correctly. This was because it needed more development time, and time is money no matter where you go.

Like I said, I can see America needing automatic amongst other things as an option but nowhere else will.

Thin edge of the wedge. How has Porsche fared over the past decade? How far are they going to let that wedge slide in the name of greed?

 

[harrytuttle]

At present TVR sales are principally focused on the UK with a small amount of sales from a few other countries.

TVR could reach its proposed sales target of 5k and still focus on enthusiast's simply by opening up sales in other markets. Russia and the Middle East alone would have a big impact on sales, simply by targeting the enthusiasts in these markets.

I disagree. The UK is far more accepting of rough-and-tumble cars, while the US still has a love affair with boats & barges (hence the success of Chrysler's 300C/Charger/Magnum/ad nauseam, and others). There will be a noticeable rise in sales from the few sports car lovers who lust for one, but I guarantee many sales will be lost after a test drive when they realize what "sports car" really means.

Well as Smolenski has publicly stated that he want's TVR to remain true to its core values, then either you have an inside line to his brain and what he has said publicly are lies or your assersion that he needs to radically change the TVR core values is little more than speculation on your part.

Nothing was said about changing TVR's core values, by me or anyone else here. What was said was that TVR will have to eventually broaden their focus. After all, even with Ferrari's FXX (way too extreme) and Porsche's Cayenne (way too SUV), both companies continue to turn out cars that are pure Ferrari/Porsche. The core is still there, it's just wrapped in a candy shell...or something else just as fattening.

And the vast majority of Ariel and Caterham customers fall into this bracket do they? Quite simply no they do not, how many Areil or Caterham owners have you actually spoken to?

I know very few, actually. But it's July. I see lots of people enjoying anything with a removeable top (cars or otherwise), lots of really fast cars being driven like they were stolen, but nowhere do I see anything that's part go-cart. In the US, I think Ariel & Caterham fall under TVR's category: "too extreme for me, but I'll keep it because it's cool".

Also, track days are far rarer in the US than in Europe. These cars are bought for something, somewhere, though, but it doesn't seem to be track time.

 

[harrytuttle]

TVR aren't neccesarily looking for higher demand, they're trying to make themselves more accesible to foreign markets. In these markets there could quite possibly be alot of TVR fansn that are just unable to purchase teh cars due to local restrictions or just simple importing.

If TVR wasn't looking for higher demand, why enter the (for the time being) world's largest market? However, I think there will be a massive surge in sales demand because of all the word-of-mouth hype about TVR over the years. But it can't last, not in the US, unless TVR takes most of their cars and turns them down from '11' to '8' or so.

TVR will never be as reliable as Lexus. I doubt they aim to make their cars as reliable as lexus either. Simply because TVR engines by tradition are fairly high revers and produce good power without forced induction.

I have a theory about the relationship between reliability and fun: the more reliable the car, the less fun, and vice-versa. Seriously. How fun are the latest Toyota and Lexus cars? Blandness personified, but they'll probably last 500,000 miles. TVR may never be so reliable (and if my theory is true, I hope they never are), but you have to move in that direction if you want to carry a warranty beyond 90 days.

One of Smolenski's concern is to "eliminate the old perception of poor quality". It's in all three interviews (there may be one or two more out there, but he's so reclusive). That can't happen unless the cars actually become reliable. For a low-volume car seller, word of mouth can make or break you.

Aston Martin finally started making cars that don't come standard with an oil slick & smoke screen, and >suprise!< sales are booming for them. Granted, the new V8 Vantage platform is shared with the XK8, but they were able to develop the DB9 pretty much on their own.

Rich people buy superfast-extreme-luxury cars. A TVR is not exactly luxury.

Right, which is why it either won't sell or it will have to change. I know I keep going back to Porsche, but the 911 GT3-RS is super-hardcore for the US market. It's a poor seller compared to the 911 Turbo. If Porsche didn't have the rest of the showroom to fill their coffers, Porsche may have to take their game back to Germany.

 

[YSSMAN]

Hey, as long as they are as reliable as a Mercedes SL or Chevrolet Corvette (aka, not too good) they should be fine...

 

[GT4_Rule]

Well, they're finally commiting to build a Speed 12, albeit in a "new car" form. That's good, I'd like to see them update the old design.

 

[Dave A]

Building and properly developing are two different things. There was barely a handful of Speed12's made, and none sold if I remember correctly. This was because it needed more development time, and time is money no matter where you go.

Nope, I don't know where you read that. The original Speed 12 was designed as a GT1 racer, but during development the GT1 class was done away with. Then the Cerbera Speed 12 started being developed and this time it was built as a GTS racer, but the the rules changed again and the car wasn't allowed to race at LeMans. The car was shot down both times by rule changes to the biggest reasons the cars were built for, without the car bing able to race at LeMans, Wheeler pulled the plug because he never felt the car was suitable as a road car, but until then it served the purpose of homologating the racers, with the racers unable to race where they intended them to, the whole project was pointless in his eyes, so thats why it never wen't into production. One was sold.

You have a decent grasp of certain things but you don't seem to be as up on TVR's specifically as some people here, while a lot of what your are saying will work for certain companies, it won't wth TVR. They don't need to increase sales more than 5000 per year, and to hit 5000 per year gloablly they don't need to introduce soft models. Should Smolenski decide he wants to start creating more mass appeal cars, he will not use TVR to fullfill that desire. Like I said, he cannot remain in Lancashire and produce thousands upon thousands of cars per year, most palces in England he can't, and the few he can would mean a new workforce needing to be trained and an old workforce being given the sack, which he has also stated a a reason for staying in Lancashire, because the current workforce are TVR, they are highly skilled and very good at what they do and Smolenski has expressed that he places a high value on them and rightly so. Smolenski is interested in a lot of things motorised, he owns an Italian motorbike manufacturer as well as TVR but TVR is his focus, he has other people overlooking other businesses of his.

Like I said, should he at some point decide that he wants to create a more mass appeal range of cars, he'll use another brand, and it won't be in the UK.

 

[Poverty]

Next gen TVR's might be chevy V8 powered according to something I watched on TV. The sagaris is getting a update and theyre riding it off the superbike style looking cans.

 

[Jay]

Next gen TVR's might be chevy V8 powered according to something I watched on TV.

Oh I hope not, nothing wrong with Chevy V8 power but one of the things I love about TVR is their unique self manufactured engines.

 

[Dave A]

Next gen TVR's will be powered by the next gen Speed Six engine, the Cerbera replacment will use an outsourced V8 though, but only the Cerbera replacment, and no deal on an engine supplier has been made yet.

 

[Poverty]

I would love a cosworth designed engine powering TVR's. They make some of the best engines in the world!

Cosworth is probably the best thing to come out of britain since chivalry.

 

[ExigeEvan]

First, thank's for making easier for me to quote you, but you could have put all you replie sin one post. Just a little extra work.

If TVR wasn't looking for higher demand, why enter the (for the time being) world's largest market? However, I think there will be a massive surge in sales demand because of all the word-of-mouth hype about TVR over the years. But it can't last, not in the US, unless TVR takes most of their cars and turns them down from '11' to '8' or so.

Ok, let me explain. There is a demand for TVRs in the US, as far as I know. However, it is completely unfeasible to export a TVR to the US prviately, not just legislation but the fact it's a TVR only engine.

So there is demand in the US, but there's no supply. TVR are trying to make themselves more accesible to the demand. They are obviously trying to increase demand, but accesibility is their first hurdle.

I have a theory about the relationship between reliability and fun: the more reliable the car, the less fun, and vice-versa. Seriously. How fun are the latest Toyota and Lexus cars? Blandness personified, but they'll probably last 500,000 miles. TVR may never be so reliable (and if my theory is true, I hope they never are), but you have to move in that direction if you want to carry a warranty beyond 90 days.

One of Smolenski's concern is to "eliminate the old perception of poor quality". It's in all three interviews (there may be one or two more out there, but he's so reclusive). That can't happen unless the cars actually become reliable. For a low-volume car seller, word of mouth can make or break you.

Aston Martin finally started making cars that don't come standard with an oil slick & smoke screen, and >suprise!< sales are booming for them. Granted, the new V8 Vantage platform is shared with the XK8, but they were able to develop the DB9 pretty much on their own.

But you said
"Smolenski's need to make TVR as reliable as a Lexus,"
Not what you're syaing there is that Smolenski is aiming for ultmate reliability. I was just making it clear that it's never gonna happen. But as I've said before, increased reliablity is an aim (Like for all manufacturers).

Right, which is why it either won't sell or it will have to change. I know I keep going back to Porsche, but the 911 GT3-RS is super-hardcore for the US market. It's a poor seller compared to the 911 Turbo. If Porsche didn't have the rest of the showroom to fill their coffers, Porsche may have to take their game back to Germany.

It is cars like the GT3 that TVR is gunning for. Performance road cars capable to track use. The difference between porsche and TVR is that TVR won't need to sell as many cars as Porsche to stay financially viable.

 

[Poverty]

It is cars like the GT3 that TVR is gunning for. Performance road cars capable to track use. The difference between porsche and TVR is that TVR won't need to sell as many cars as Porsche to stay financially viable.

Porsche make more money off each car than any other manufacturer in the world by quite a large margin. BMW is second.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Porsche make more money off each car than any other manufacturer in the world by quite a large margin. BMW is second.

Both due to the immense 'badge premium' you pay for them. You would have hoped that in this day and age other companies could make the exact same cars for less and force BMW and porsche to drop their prices.

 

[Poverty]

Well if your the best in the sector you get to reap the rewards I guess.

 

[Dave A]

Porsche are reaping the rewards of good publicity and a good image. TVR have a great image in the enthusiast communities around the world. Comparing TVR to Porsche is irrelevent because the two are very different, TVR will never compete with Porsche in sales figures, nor to they build the same type of cars. The TVR is very much for the person that wants somethnig uncompromised, that focuses on performance and not much else. TVR have over the years generally had their "user friendly" model, but even that is more extreme than 90% of other model. Recently it's been the Tamora, but oddly, that isn't the biggest selling TVR, the most userfriendly model has never been the biggest selling TVR which should tell you something about the people that buy TVR's. The Cerbera has been the companies biggest success and a lot will rest on the replacment, if the next Cerbera is a success then you will probably find that model single handedly outselling all the toher models put together.

Quick note that I've edited my last post regarding increased TVR production over 5000 not being likely.

 

[YSSMAN]

A TVR-related blurb poped up on the American Auto News Radar today:

British car brand TVR may come to the United States once its new Speed Six engine is on the market. Nikolai Smolenski, the chairman and owner of TVR said: "My intention to expand the sales and distribution of TVR cars throughout Europe, the USA and markets throughout the rest of the world is a key part of the business strategy of the company."

...Well, now we KNOW he wants to come here, so, HURRY IT UP ALLREADY!

(j/k, take your time. We want some nice stuff here!)

 

[harrytuttle]

First, thank's for making easier for me to quote you, but you could have put all you replie sin one post. Just a little extra work.

Um, okay, you're welcome.

Ok, let me explain. There is a demand for TVRs in the US, as far as I know. However, it is completely unfeasible to export a TVR to the US prviately, not just legislation but the fact it's a TVR only engine.

So there is demand in the US, but there's no supply. TVR are trying to make themselves more accesible to the demand. They are obviously trying to increase demand, but accesibility is their first hurdle.

I think just showing up on US shores will increase demand. Knowing that TVR's don't have to be individually imported will create a mad rush at their doors. At least, in the beginning (my reasoning stated earlier).

But you said
"Smolenski's need to make TVR as reliable as a Lexus,"
Not what you're syaing there is that Smolenski is aiming for ultmate reliability. I was just making it clear that it's never gonna happen. But as I've said before, increased reliablity is an aim (Like for all manufacturers).

I guess I mistyped. I meant "need to try to make TVR as reliable". And I know small manufacturers will probably never make it that far. Even Aston Martin, with Ford's substantial financial backing, is still having problems. Far less, but more than Nissan, for example.

Lotus managed to overcome two hurdles at once with the Toyota engine: image of reliability, and meeting US regulations. How hard is it for the Speed6 engine to meet US regulations? Does it even meet them now? I hope to the motoring gods that TVR doesn't show up with BMW engines.

It is cars like the GT3 that TVR is gunning for. Performance road cars capable to track use. The difference between porsche and TVR is that TVR won't need to sell as many cars as Porsche to stay financially viable.

The GT3 seems to be the one point where Porsche and TVR overlap, then TVR takes that idea and runs to the hills with it. I don't think the US has ever had such an extreme car as an official import. Unless Porsche is selling ~5,000 GT3/GT3-RS's, there might be too small of an opportunity for TVR to reach their goals.

 

[harrytuttle]

Nope, I don't know where you read that. The original Speed 12 was designed as a GT1 racer, but during development the GT1 class was done away with. Then the Cerbera Speed 12 started being developed and this time it was built as a GTS racer, but the the rules changed again and the car wasn't allowed to race at LeMans. The car was shot down both times by rule changes to the biggest reasons the cars were built for, without the car bing able to race at LeMans, Wheeler pulled the plug because he never felt the car was suitable as a road car, but until then it served the purpose of homologating the racers, with the racers unable to race where they intended them to, the whole project was pointless in his eyes, so thats why it never wen't into production. One was sold.

I know all that about Le Mans, but I still think that a car that went far enough through development stages to be driven, then pulled at the last minute because it wasn't "suitable as a road car" seems like an inordinate waste of money. Unless, of course, they couldn't afford to make those last few steps to make the car road-worthy, which might have been quite expensive.

I'm no car designer (repeating myself), but in my experience, in whatever it is that I do for a living, the first 90% usually costs 10% of your budget, and it's the last 10% that takes 90% of the money. The devil is in the details, and all. I never believe anything at face value, either. Sceptic or something, especially when it comes to car companies. "It should be out next year...".

You have a decent grasp of certain things but you don't seem to be as up on TVR's specifically as some people here, while a lot of what your are saying will work for certain companies, it won't wth TVR. They don't need to increase sales more than 5000 per year, and to hit 5000 per year gloablly they don't need to introduce soft models. Should Smolenski decide he wants to start creating more mass appeal cars, he will not use TVR to fullfill that desire. Like I said, he cannot remain in Lancashire and produce thousands upon thousands of cars per year, most palces in England he can't, and the few he can would mean a new workforce needing to be trained and an old workforce being given the sack, which he has also stated a a reason for staying in Lancashire, because the current workforce are TVR, they are highly skilled and very good at what they do and Smolenski has expressed that he places a high value on them and rightly so. Smolenski is interested in a lot of things motorised, he owns an Italian motorbike manufacturer as well as TVR but TVR is his focus, he has other people overlooking other businesses of his.

That's great. But I'm not sure what you're specifically responding to.

I'm well aware that the workforce of low-volume manufacturers are far more important that that of high-volume companies. The meaning "getting your hands dirty" takes on a different meaning when the production is less than one a day.

Like I said, should he at some point decide that he wants to create a more mass appeal range of cars, he'll use another brand, and it won't be in the UK.

Where does he say that, about creating other brands? I've read the few interviews he's done (Evo, Top Gear I think), and I don't recall anything like that.

 

[ExigeEvan]

A TVR-related blurb poped up on the American Auto News Radar today:
*snip*
...Well, now we KNOW he wants to come here, so, HURRY IT UP ALLREADY!

(j/k, take your time. We want some nice stuff here!)

I think most of us realised export to the US would only happen after the new engine. But it's nice to see it in writing 👍

 

[Dave A]

I know all that about Le Mans, but I still think that a car that went far enough through development stages to be driven, then pulled at the last minute because it wasn't "suitable as a road car" seems like an inordinate waste of money. Unless, of course, they couldn't afford to make those last few steps to make the car road-worthy, which might have been quite expensive.

It would have been more of a waste for them to continue building the car, the car was never going to turn a profit it was purely being built to homologate the race cars, if the race cars suddenly couldn't race, whats the point in building cars that cost more to make than you're going to make back off them. The one thing the car did do regardless, is raise brand awareness. And yes, limited edition holomogation cars are often built at a loss.

I'm no car designer (repeating myself), but in my experience, in whatever it is that I do for a living, the first 90% usually costs 10% of your budget, and it's the last 10% that takes 90% of the money. The devil is in the details, and all. I never believe anything at face value, either. Sceptic or something, especially when it comes to car companies. "It should be out next year...".

The car was passed development, it was pulled as a concept car, it was pulled after the first car had been sold and delivered to a customer.

I'm well aware that the workforce of low-volume manufacturers are far more important that that of high-volume companies. The meaning "getting your hands dirty" takes on a different meaning when the production is less than one a day.

Right, and the only way they will build more cars is to move abroad, which Smolenski hassaid he won't do.

Where does he say that, about creating other brands? I've read the few interviews he's done (Evo, Top Gear I think), and I don't recall anything like that.

He hasn't said that, but that's the logical thing to do. It creates a car with mass appeal and it keeps the TVR enthusiasts happy because the TVR brand doesn't get diluted. He already owns more than one motor company and has enough money to buy more or to set another one up. Also creating a mass production car would mean building or buying a new factory abroad and getting a completely new workforce, since Smolenski has said he doesn't want to lose the one he has then it's logical to say that if he would create a mass production car he would do it abroad but keep the TVR factory open over here. Also as I said, user friendly TVR's have never been the biggest sellers in the past, the Tamora in fact is the lowest selling TVR in production, so how does that match upto what TVR customes want.

The GT3 seems to be the one point where Porsche and TVR overlap, then TVR takes that idea and runs to the hills with it. I don't think the US has ever had such an extreme car as an official import. Unless Porsche is selling ~5,000 GT3/GT3-RS's, there might be too small of an opportunity for TVR to reach their goals.

A TVR is a lot cheaper than a 911 GT3, so yes it will have more appeal in terms of prospective buyers.

And you need to stop double posting.

 

[Tornado]

*Somewhat off topic*
The way I see it, there are three things TVR needs to be able to fathom a larger car audience, two of them U.S. specific.

1. TVR needs to design a car that meets all of U.S. crash test and emissions standards. Noble get's by this by qualifying for the "Kit Car" designation. TVR can not.
2. TVR is going to have to accept that if you are paying X-amount for Y-car, Y-car better have similar ammendities as Z-car (chuckle). This rings true in America because we are a stubborn bunch who view automobiles mostly by JD Power ratings and amount of cupholders in the console. Comparing, say, a Sagaris to a GT3 (now, not being a TVR afficianado, I have no clue as to whether they compete, so just replace whatever TVR actually competes with the GT3). Yes, the GT3 is a track car first, but it also comes with stuff that you would expect it to come with for a X-price car. But if TVR sells a car that competes with said GT3 in America for the same price and it doesn't come with equal amount of stuff, it will fail (at first. As word of it's, trackability spreads it may start selling, if it's not tooo late).
3. In order to viably sell cars around the world, TVR needs a buisiness model. Now, trickling out a few cars a year may work TVR right now, but unless a successful dealer network is established, this restructuring will likely prove futile. Unfortunately, I can not think of a buisiness model that will work for TVR, as I am tire and have been awake for 20 hours.

 

[Dave A]

Price wise TVR's are realitvely a lot cheaper than their Porsche counterparts, there are expensive TVR's such as the Typhon and T440R, but both of thoes are still a hell of a lot cheaper respectively than the competition and both are a lot faster than the Porsche 911 GT3.

 

[superfast]

Well, now that they're doing the Speed 12 for real, only one thing remains: bringing it to where us throttle-happy Yanks can get to them!

 

[Dave A]

I'm not sure a TVR Speed Twelve engine will get past US regs, but we'll see.

 

[TheCracker]

It depends on whether they make a new V12 from the new Speed 6 engine that will hopefully be US regs friendly?