Autoblog

TVR reborn... kinda

Zach Bowman — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Luxury

There's a flicker of life over at TVR. The eccentric British sportscar firm has a brand-new website, complete with a revised logo that harkens back to the company's 1954 original. That's far from the grand plans that the company's owner, Nikolai Smolenski, had drawn in the clouds, but at least its something. PistonHeads.com reports that TVR will now source you one of the company's used models and completely rework the vehicle's systems. The engine gets swapped for a new General Motors LS3 mated to a five-speed transmission, while the interior gets the appropriate amount of spit and polish as well. It just goes to prove that there's nothing that a small-block can't fix.

PistonHeads also says that TVR will be happy to give current TVR owners' vehicles the same level of treatment. Right now, it's unclear exactly how much such a revitalization will cost, but we wouldn't plan on it being cheap.

In more interesting news, TVRBlog indicates that plans are afoot for a new Tuscan 4, which is likely to be a roadster. The open-topped sports car is likely the previously rumored TVR MD1, and it's possible that the model will debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Head over to the TVR website for more information.

TVR reborn... kinda originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next TVR to get... BMW diesel power?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, UK, Electric, Diesel

TVR faithful - what few there might be remaining - have been wondering for years what Russian billionaire owner Nikolai Smolenski plans to do with what remains of the company. He bought the Blackpool firm in 2004, and ever since, it seems it has made more headlines than products. The latest is Smolenski's apparent plan, detailed to a Dutch magazine, to replace powertrains in existing cars with either a General Motors LS3 V8, a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel from the BMW 335d, or an electric system.

This has nothing to do with the purported LS9-powered TVR MD-1 we were told we'd see next year. This is being presented as a way to get TVR doing something while the world waits on the MD-1, and appears to involve both creating new cars as well as refitting customer cars.

If you're interested, a complete LS3 or diesel retrofit will relieve you of £33,000 ($53,112 U.S.), which includes the engine, Tremec manual gearbox, brakes and a modern dashboard. The engine and gearbox alone will tally £16,400 ($23,392 U.S.)... which means there must be an awesome dash-and-brake combination. No price has been given for the electric version.

Next TVR to get... BMW diesel power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR could make Corvette-powered 2012 comeback

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 09:37:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, UK

Nikolai Smolenski's tenure as owner of TVR, the formerly revered maker of hairy-chested British sports cars, is nothing if not quizzical. He bought the company from late founder Peter Wheeler when it was in trouble, didn't do much with it, declared it bankrupt to clear its debts, then bought the company out of bankruptcy. Since then there's been little news save for a legal battle with a TVR remanufacturer and a couple of hints about using an American V8 to power the firm's next car.

The V8 issue has finally been decided: the Corvette's 638-horsepower LS9. The car it will go in is to be called the MD-1. A new question that has arisen, however, based on Smolenski's comment that he wants to "draw a line under the Wheeler era once and for all." Will the car be at all British? The MD-1 is being developed by a UK firm, but Smolenski says production could go to the Continent or South Africa just as easily.

Would a German-built, American-engined TVR still be a TVR like the Griffith and Chimera (or the Tasmin shown above)? Smolenski thinks TVR fans wouldn't think so, but he doesn't much care. He says, "What's important is to remain faithful to your brand values" no matter where you are. The MD-1 is expected to arrive in 2012, with just 250 made annually.

[Source: Pistonheads]

TVR could make Corvette-powered 2012 comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: TVR rebirth hinges on hybrid tech and Chevrolet Corvette power

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, UK, Luxury

At long last, the question of exactly which American V8 the newly-resurrected TVR will use has been answered. As you might have guessed, the Russian-owned, English-bred racer will get a beating heart from none other than the mighty Chevrolet Corvette. The news hounds over at Autocar managed to snag a quick interview with the brand's owner, Nikolai Smolenski, who said that the GM eight-pot presented the most efficient and powerful solution to the company's engine concerns.

Unfortunately, Smolenski didn't say exactly which GM V8 would find its way behind the new TVR's headlights. We'd love to think that the 638 horsepower supercharged LS9 would do a proper job of paying homage to the ridiculously powerful TVR models of days gone by, but it's possible that the company could opt for the more civil (and less expensive) 505 horsepower LS7 found in the current Corvette Z06.

Either way, the car should be an absolute rocket whenever it hits the streets. Given the fact that an all-American lump is going to be pushing power to the rear wheels, there's even some talk of the cars being sold here in the States. Our fingers? Yeah. They're crossed.

Autocar also makes mention of the fact that Smolenski is considering a hybrid model that would allow the use of an automatic transmission. Blasphemy or not, we're about to see a whole new take on the TVR name we know and love.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: TVR rebirth hinges on hybrid tech and Chevrolet Corvette power originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: TVR on the comeback trail with American V8 power?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Rumormill

TVR Speed 12 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hey you Anglophiles, looks like TVR is coming back. And really, it's a shame they went anywhere in the first place, but that's the British car industry for you. Nevertheless, a flurry of rumors and speculation has just cropped up, all of them seeming to indicate that a new TVR is coming very soon. Again.

The big news of course is that the new British sports car will have American power. What engine? We don't know, but it sounds like Russian owner Nikolai Smolenski understands that the U.S. market is the number one market for sports cars in the world, and that having an American power plant under the new car's look-at-me hood is the easy way to sell 'em to us Yanks. You may remember that the last crop of TVRs all featured completely bespoke, TVR-built engines and were not sold in the USA. Of course, using a Ford or Chevy (or hey, maybe Chrysler) crate engine will save Smolenski and TVR untold millions of rubles in development costs.

Also new is where the next TVR will be built. Traditionally, TVRs come from Blackpool, UK, but word is that a bunch of TVR parts were recently shipped to Germany where Smolenski has wanted to restart production for a couple of years. Moreover, TVR parts suppliers have reportedly been served with cease and desist notices, as TVR Motors Company (Smolenski's company) is officially the parts supplier to the UK. However, it seems like these kinds of letters have been sent before.

So, what's the same with this new TVR? The reports we're seeing claim that you can expect classic "TVR values" such as front-engine, rear-wheel drive, two seats and totally bonkers styling. Sounds as if the new car will be showing up with at least 500 horsepower, too. We're not sure when we'll see the new TVR, but it sounds as if the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the safest bet. Until then...

Gallery: 2000 TVR Speed 12

[Source: TVR Blog, Pistonheads]

Rumormill: TVR on the comeback trail with American V8 power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Straight from the horse's mouth: Here's the deal at TVR

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Europe, Supercars

It seems that the never-ending story of TVR has been given a new chapter. Russian Nikolai Smolenski, just days after selling the company, has bought it back for an additional £2 million. This time he has additional backing from two Americans. CAR Magazine interviewed all three of them to get the whole story in their own words.

Smolenski, apparently, will be a part-time partner. Jean Michel Santacrue and Adam Burdette from Florida will eventually take over the operation, with Smolenski backing away after he recovers some of the £15 million he has dumped into the company so far. The Americans, meanwhile, plan to reintroduce and grow the marque. They say the plan is to sell 5,000 cars a year. They even say they already have 2,000 pre-orders from American buyers. A U.S. dealer network is also said to be in the works. Of the 5,000 units annually, 2,000 will go to the U.S., 2,000 to Asia, and 1,000 to Europe. Cars are expected to reach dealers as early as the end of this year or possibly the beginning of 2008.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story.

[Source: Car Magazine]

Continue reading Straight from the horse's mouth: Here's the deal at TVR

Straight from the horse's mouth: Here's the deal at TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enough already! Smolenski sells TVR

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Europe

We'll parrot our friends over at Hemmings Auto Blog when they say, "Now it's just getting ridiculous." After Nikolai Smolenski bought back what assets were left of TVR last week, we're now getting word from Autocar that Adam Burdette and Jean Michel Santacreu, owners of Evolution Imports, have bought the quirky sports car manufacturer.

The duo has a history of importing "grey market" vehicles Stateside, and they have long sought to bring TVRs to U.S. consumers. How will they succeed actually running an automaker? Ummmm... we're not saying we're worried -- okay, yeah, we are.

[Source: Autocar via Hemmings]

Enough already! Smolenski sells TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR sold again, to Smolenski

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:38:00 EST

The soap opera that has been the recent history of TVR has taken another turn. The administrators of PKF Partners have announced the sale TVR's asset's to none other Nikolai Smolenski, the previous owner who oversaw the failure of the company in the first place. The sale price hasn't been released, but is believed to be over £2 million.

Smolenski has signaled his intention to resume production of TVRs outside of England, probably in Italy with Bertone doing the assembly work. Al Melling, who had previously designed many of TVRs engines, was another bidder, but Smolenski offered more money and in the end, won back the quirky automaker.

[Source: CAR]

TVR sold again, to Smolenski originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Al Melling and Nikolai Smolenski start bidding war for TVR?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars

You may have noticed our post Wednesday about TVR's owner Nikolai Smolenski losing his trademark rights and certain tooling. Yesterday, it was revealed that the entire company is, in fact, for sale. Expected bidders include Al Melling and possibly even Nikolai Smolenski rebidding.

Al Melling recently revealed his Melling Hellcat (could it be released as a TVR?), powered by a 1200 bhp, quad-turbo V10 engine, and has designed TVR V8 and in-line six-cylinder engines. He said, "I'd need the old workforce... it would take between six and 12 months to get the place back in full production, but I'd never expect to make more than 10-15 cars a week, two-thirds of which would be sold in the US." He also said the Sagaris and Griffith would be the two models they'd concentrate on.

Related:

[Source: Autocar]

Will Al Melling and Nikolai Smolenski start bidding war for TVR? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR taps Bertone in Italy to build lineup?

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Plants/Manufacturing

A new Autocar item is saying that the next-generation of TVRs will be built by Bertone in Italy, using Ricardo-produced engines. This comes on the heels of reports that the tiny manufacturer was leaving the UK. And that announcement followed the initial declaration that the firm would remain British. Nikolai Smolenski made the announcement yesterday that the current factory in Blackpool would be shut down. French and Russian plants have been rumored as potential sites, but Autocar's sources believe that Italian coachbuilder Bertone will be used to produce the '07 Sagaris, Tuscan and Tuscan convertible in Turin.

According to TVR, drivetrain production will remain in the UK. Autocar supposes that Ricardo will build a production line to supply new Euro IV emissions compatible motors. Ricardo is already working on bringing the TVR engines up to those standards, so going one step further and actually building them for TVR makes sense. Still, the fact that another British marque has left the island must sting the monarchy just a bit.

[Source: Autocar]

Thanks for the tip, Dino!

TVR taps Bertone in Italy to build lineup? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR doing well, rehires laid-off workers

John Neff — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Supercars

It appears the on-again, off-again prospect of TVR possibly closing its doors has boosted sales of the British sports car brand. Sales are up so much, in fact, that TVR has rehired the workers it temporarily, then permanently, laid off back in April.

TVR says the upsurge in sales occurred when the company announced its relocation plans, but we're of the mind that collectors wanted to hoard the remaining models being produced. Either way, the influx of funds has allowed Nikolai Smolenski, TVR's owner and CEO, to bring his workers back into the fold.

TVR is currently relocating its factory, but has made an arrangement with Blackpool officials to remain within the city's boundaries. Mr. Smolenski also expressed his determination to expand TVR's lineup and grow its distribution throughout all of Europe and the U.S.

[Source: 4Car]

TVR doing well, rehires laid-off workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR finds a home

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 22:15:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Plants/Manufacturing

The saga of British sports car manufacturer TVR took another twist this week when the company leased space in an old WWII bomber factory just a short distance away from its shuttered Blackpool factory.

According to BBC News, the company will move to its new address on the outskirts of the Blackpool airport in August and resume production by the end of the year. The company's Russian owner, Nikolai Smolenski, says he also plans to open a new headquarters, R&D center and museum (!) in nearby Lancaster.

Production at the new factory will start out at 10 cars per week, and ramp to 20. Smolenski's plan to increase production to 100 units a week will require moving to a bigger facility, although it now appears that the company plans to remain in the Blackpool area for the foreseeable future.

When production resumes, Autocar reports that TVR will drop the entry level Tamora (pictured) to focus on the Sagaris and Tuscan models.

[Sources: BBC, Autocar]]

TVR finds a home originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blackpool makes last-ditch bid to keep TVR

Chris Paukert — Thu, 18 May 2006 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing

TVR's lineup of sporting machines are known for their ability to give owners the potential of a speedy getaway. But the British automaker's owner, Russian Nikolai Smolenski, is being afforded no such courtesy by Blackpool authorities who remain eager to keep the firm's operations in town.

The town's council chiefs reportedly met last week with various TVR bigwigs in an eleventh-hour bid to convince the sportscar builder not to close its Bristol Avenue factory, stranding some 260 employees. A move to another part of Britain or another global location remains on the table.

Among TVR's wishes is rumored to be a larger site with more acreage for future expansion, along with improved access to roads and an airport. A deal has been tendered to TVR by city officials, but the issue remains undecided. Neither the city nor the company has set a timetable to resolve the issue.

[Sources: Blackpool Today; TVRFreak.com]

Blackpool makes last-ditch bid to keep TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 May 2006 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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