TVR Tuscan S Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

TVR unveiled the upgraded S version for the Tuscan at the Birmingham Motor Show and proved that the British sports car was alive and well.

Based on the experience gathered from the Tuscan Challenge, TVR improved the production version with a few significant changes. It featured a revised chassis geometry, which led to less bump steer and improved road-holding. Since it was designed for a spirited driver and as a car for track-days, the carmaker added 322 mm (12.6") disc brakes at the front and 298 mm (11.7") at the rear. The stiffened suspension also counted for fast cornering, even though that damaged the comfort on regular streets.

TVR worked on the bodywork to reduce drag and improve the downforce. At the front, there was a splitter under the car's nose. Its four headlamps from the fenders were covered with clear lenses and featured HID bulbs. Another essential modification was for the rear part of the car, where TVR engineers' were influenced by the LeMans experience. They raised the trunk lid and ended it with a ducktail. The lower part of the bodywork was also aerodynamically profiled to enhance the airflow.

Inside, the carmaker installed a Momo racing wheel in front of the instrument cluster with its white dials. TVR fitted sport bucket-seats, but it knew that its future owner would replace them with racing seats for special events.

Under the hood, the carmaker placed an upgraded version of its straight-six engine, offering 400 hp from the four-liters displacement. Strangely though, it featured a five-speed manual gearbox only.

When the British car manufacturer TVR introduced the Tuscan, it didn't consider that its customers would like more power for the light and agile sports car. Yet, they asked for it!

In 2001, TVR unveiled a higher-powered version of the Tuscan, named Tuscan S. It was a similar car as its lower-powered sibling but brought more tire-shredding torque to the rear wheels. And, just like its brother, it wasn't offered with a standard stability-control nanny to keep the driver safe on the road.

TVR built the Tuscan in an old-fashion way, by hand. There were no industrial robots or special computerized tools to machine the vehicle, but there were a bunch of high-skilled workers who put passion and pride in their work. Finally, the Tuscan S looked like no other car on the road. Except for its non-S version, obviously. Its triple headlamps on each front fender were completed by a tiny additional round light for the DRL system. The holes in the front bumper were made to make the front end lighter. Since the carmaker built the Tuscan S on a chassis, it offered it with a targa-roof, which required a one-person job to remove and store it in the trunk.

Inside, the Tuscan S featured a carefully crafted interior that combined leather, polished aluminum, and polished brass. Its buttons looked like they were taken from a jewelry shop, not from a car manufacturer. Still, TVR didn't consider to re-arrange the pedals or installing an automatic transmission, so it was still difficult to drive.

Under the hood, TVR installed a straight-six, 4.0-liter gasoline engine that produced 390 hp. It was the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the world. It was like a go-kart on steroids.