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TVR Griffith

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TVR Griffith
TVR Griffith (first generation)
Overview
ManufacturerTVR Motor Company Limited
TVR Automotive Limited
Production
  • 1990–2002
  • 2018–present[1]
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Layout

The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, is a sports car designed and built by TVR, starting production in 1990, and ending production in 2002. The Griffith name appeared again on a sports car introduced under a revived TVR brand in 2017.

Earlier use of the name

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The TVR Griffith 200 was produced from 1963 to 1964 and the TVR Griffith 400 from 1964 to 1967.

First generation (1990–2002)

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First generation
TVR Griffith 500
Overview
ManufacturerTVR Motor Company Limited
Production1991–2002
2,351 produced[2]
DesignerJohn Ravenscroft
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door roadster
PlatformFiberglass body over tubular steel chassis
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • 4.0 L Rover V8
  • 4.3 L Rover V8
  • 4.5 L Rover V8
  • 5.0 L Rover V8 (Griffith 500 models only)
Power output
  • 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) (4.0 L)
  • 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) (4.3 L)
  • 340 hp (254 kW; 345 PS) (5.0 L)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,286 mm (90.0 in)[3]
Length3,891 mm (153.2 in)[3]
Width1,720 mm (67.7 in)[3]
Height1,204 mm (47.4 in)[3]
Kerb weight
  • 1,060 kg (2,337 lb) (dry)
  • 1,300 kg (2,866 lb)[3]
Chronology
Successor

Like its forerunner namesakes, the Griffith 200 and Griffith 400, the modern Griffith was a lightweight (1,060 kg (2,337 lb)) fiberglass-bodied, 2-door, 2-seat sports car with a V8 engine. Originally, it used a 4.0 L 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) Rover V8 engine, but that could be optionally increased to 4.3 L 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) in 1992 with a further option of big-valve cylinder heads. In 1993, with a TVR-developed 5.0 L 340 hp (254 kW; 345 PS) version of the Rover V8 became available. All versions of the Griffith use the Lucas Industries 14CUX engine management system. All models use a five-speed manual transmission from Rover and TREMEC.

Although the Griffith was almost mechanically identical to its sister car, the Chimaera, it had a different body design and was produced in much smaller numbers.[2]

The Griffith was a lightweight, high-power, and well-balanced car. A low-cost speed six Griffith proposal never became a production reality; by the time it was launched alongside the Griffith in 1999, it had morphed into the Tuscan Speed Six.

A special edition Japanese market Griffith 500 was made dubbed the Blackpool B340. This car was featured in Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo 2 (in the former as the Griffith 4.0 in the NTSC and PAL versions) and Driving Emotion Type-S. The car was similar to a normal Griffith 500 with some bespoke options available. The Japanese market also got a B275 4.0 engined car with aluminium basketweave dashboard.

In 2000, TVR announced that the Griffith production was going to end. A limited edition run of 100 Special Edition (SE) cars were to be built to mark the end of production. Although still very similar to the previous Griffith 500 model, the SE had a hybrid interior using the Chimaera dashboard and Cerbera seats. Noticeably, the rear lights were different along with different door mirrors, higher powered headlights and clear indicator lenses. Some also came with 16-inch wheels. Each car came with a numbered plaque in the glove box including the build number and a Special Edition Badge on its boot. All cars also had a unique signature in the boot under the carpet. The SEs were built between 2000 and 2002, with the last registered in 2003.

Every year, to celebrate the TVR Griffith, their owners have a meet called "The Griff Growl."[4]

TVR Griffith 400

In 2008, Al Melling Sports Cars unveiled the Melling Wildcat, a roadster heavily based on the Griffith but powered by a variant of TVR's later AJP8 engine.

Specifications

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Engine

Name: Rover alloy V8

Valvetrain setup: 2 valves per cylinder, Overhead Valve

Model Displacement Power Torque Max speed 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) (seconds) 0–161 km/h (0–100 mph) (seconds)
4.0 3,950 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) at 4000 rpm 245 km/h (152 mph) 4.7 12.1
4.0 HC 3,950 Hi-Lift Cam 275 hp (205 kW; 279 PS) 305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m) 254 km/h (158 mph) 4.7 12.1
4.3 4,280 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) 305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m) at 4000 rpm 254 km/h (158 mph) 4.6 11.3
4.5 4,495 285 hp (213 kW; 289 PS) 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) 254 km/h (158 mph) 4.6
5.0 4,988 340 hp (254 kW; 345 PS) 350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m) (320 lb⋅ft (434 N⋅m) with catalyzer) 272 km/h (169 mph) 4.1 10.5

Transmission

Transmission: 5-speed manual (Rover LT77 or Tremec T5)

Suspension

Front: Independent, double wishbones, coil-over gas dampers, sway bars

Rear: Independent, double wishbones, coil-over gas dampers, sway bars

Brakes

Front: 260 mm (10.2 in) ventilated disc brakes

Rear: 260 mm (10.2 in) ventilated disc brakes

Wheels Front: 15 in aluminium alloy

Rear: 16 in aluminium alloy

Chassis/body

Body Panels: Glass fibre

Fuel Capacity: 57 Litres (12.5 Imp. gallons, 15.0 U.S. gal)

Weight: 1,060 kg (2,336 lb) (dry)

Length: 3,891 mm (153.2 in)

Height: 1,204 mm (47.4 in)

Width: 1,720 mm (67.7 in)

Wheelbase: 2,286 mm (90.0 in)

Front track: 1,461 mm (57.5 in)

Rear track: 1,471 mm (57.9 in)

Ground clearance: 145 mm (5.7 in)

  • Rear third quarter view
    Rear third quarter view
  • Interior
    Interior
  • 4.0 L V8 engine
    4.0 L V8 engine

Second generation (2023–)

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Second generation
TVR Griffith at NEC Classic Car Show in Birmingham 2017
Overview
ManufacturerTVR Automotive Limited
Production2023 (expected)
Model years2017 (prototype)
2023 (production)
AssemblyWhiteley, Hampshire, England
DesignerGordon Murray
Body and chassis
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutLongitudinal-mounted, front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine5.0 L Cosworth Ford Coyote V8
Power output500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp)
Transmission6-speed TREMEC Magnum XL manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,601 mm (102.4 in)[5]
Length4,313 mm (169.8 in)[5]
Width1,849 mm (72.8 in)[5]
Height1,240 mm (48.8 in)[5]
Kerb weight1,250 kg (2,756 lb) (dry)[5]
Chronology
Predecessor
Rear quarter view

On 8 September 2017, to coincide with the marque's 70th anniversary year[6] at the Goodwood Revival, a new Griffith was revealed under the now resurrected TVR marque, featuring design work by Gordon Murray. It features a Cosworth modified Ford Coyote 5.0-litre V8 engine[a] producing 500 bhp (507 PS; 373 kW), double wishbone suspension with adjustable coilover dampers, a carbon fibre ground effect chassis.[7] It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in approximately 4 seconds, and can achieve a top speed in excess of 322 km/h (200 mph). The new Griffith retains the manual transmission as used in the previous TVR models, to keep the driving experience, but includes ABS, power steering, and traction control as standard, in order to handle the high power output and keep the car stable at high speeds. The extensive use of carbon fibre helps save weight, and as a result, it weighs less than 1,250 kg (2,756 lb), with a 50:50 weight distribution achieved through the Griffith's architecture of aluminium and carbon fibre components, which improves handling. Design elements, such as large front air intakes, front splitter, active spoiler and rear integrated diffuser help in increasing aero dynamics. The car's interior follows the driving focused theme as well. Air conditioning, leather interior trim, and multimedia system come as standard as well. The Griffith was expected to start production in 2019, with an initial run of 500 Launch Edition (LE) cars and a price tag of £89,995.[8] In November of 2021, EVO magazine reported that the new Griffith was yet to enter production and deliveries of completed vehicles were not expected until at least the end of 2023. EVO cited the COVID 19 pandemic, funding problems and damage to production facilities had caused development of the vehicle to stall. A new partnership between TVR and Ensorcia Automotive, has provided additional funds for development of the new Griffith.[9]

Production by year

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[10][11]

  • 1992: 602
  • 1993: 230 (169 2DR + 61 500)
  • 1994: 292
  • 1995: 284
  • 1996: 288
  • 1997: 232
  • 1998: 231
  • 1999: 187
  • 2000: 90
  • 2001: 82
  • 2002: 64
  • 2023: To be started

Notes

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  1. ^ this engine used in Falcon FGX XR8 (With additional Harrop/Eaton Supercharger) and Mustang GT (without Supercharger)

References

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  1. ^ "TVR Griffith begins production again". Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b "TVR official production numbers". Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e "1991–2002 TVR Griffith specifications". Auto Evolution. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Griff Growl". Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e "TVR Griffith 2018 specifications". Auto Evolution. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Long-awaited new TVR to be launched at Revival 2017". GRRC. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  7. ^ "New TVR Launch at Goodwood Revival 2017". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  8. ^ "TVR Griffith". TVR. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  9. ^ "TVR Griffith first deliveries delayed again until at least 2023". evo. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  10. ^ "How many TVR griffiths were made ? - Page 1 - Griffith - PistonHeads UK".
  11. ^ "How many TVR griffiths were made ? - Page 2 - Griffith - PistonHeads UK".
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