TVR unveiled the sports coupe Griffith way back in 2017, and it was expected to hit the streets by 2018. However, due to setbacks in the renovation of the company's Welsh plant, followed by the pandemic, the launch was delayed. After a long hiatus, TVR has finally announced that the much-awaited Griffith shall roll out from the plant in 2022. An interesting fact is that the Griffith is designed by the legendary F1 figure Gordon Murray and it shall have a load of F1 grade technology inputs. More interestingly, the Griffith will not be a limited-edition car as the company aims to roll out more than 2000 units of Griffith each year.
At the time of its launch in the 2017 Goodwood Revival, Griffith won the media's admiration because of its stylish sports car silhouette and F1 connection. Owing to the delay, it is expected that the Griffith may have some more exciting features that were not present in the prototype.
Griffith has been one of the most anticipated vehicles for a couple of years and what is equipped beneath its skin only justifies the wait.
iStream Design And Chassis
The Griffith shall be a reflection of the core value of TVR - the 'Spirit Of Driving'. Adhering to that philosophy, the car is designed in an aerodynamically accurate manner that offers an enjoyable riding experience to the driver. Plus, the Griffith will be a driver-centric car.
It will be the first production sports car that will incorporate the legendary Gordon Murray's patented iStream architecture. The iStream architectural technology is inspired by the F1 cars that ensure a lightweight framework for the vehicle and empower the chassis with high torsional rigidity. The vehicle will be built around a steel and aluminum framework bonded with carbon composite, which shall be used for the bodywork.
The new iStream chassis enables the Griffith to have a dry weight lesser than 2,866 pounds. Plus, the medially-front engine placement distributes the weight in a 50:50 ratio along the car's body. On the outside, the car boasts the classic sports coupe outline with aggressively designed large LED headlamps and a massive grille. The small air intakes below the headlights optimize the aerodynamic nature of the car.
The large bonnet is followed by an arched roofline that houses the two-seater cabin, and the roofline continues the slant to form the car's rear. Likewise, a minimalized spoiler mounts the rear to enhance the car's drag efficiency. Although the prototype was unveiled with two exhausts on the lower end of the fenders, these may not feature in the production car because of the updated safety regulations.
Griffith's Superior Handling
To upkeep the 'Spirit Of Driving' ethos, the car could feature a couple of enhanced assisting features that boost its handling even at higher speeds. The Griffith shall be equipped with an electrically powered steering to make the car's handling effortless while being equally effective at high speeds.
A double-wishbone suspension set-up further enhances the handling with coil-over dampers at both axles, and the suspension system also features concentric springs for the front and rear wheels. Since efficient handling demands good stopping power, the barking system at the front wheels has 370 mm ventilated discs with six-piston aluminum calipers. At the rear, the discs' dimension is 20 mm less with four-piston aluminum calipers. For improved balance and grip, the Griffith sports 20-inch wheels at the rear and 19-inch wheels at the front.
Clean And Minimalistic Interior
The interior design of the driver-friendly Griffith is compact and minimal. It is designed for the optimum convenience of the driver, be it a short distance or long-distance drive. The two-seater interior has ample space to comfortably stretch the head and legs without compromising the luggage space housed behind the seats.
Further, buyers may also have the option to bespoke the drivers' console. Since it is a driver-oriented car, every control and instrument is designed as per the driver's preference and is placed within their reach. The entire console design includes only essentials for a clean and minimalistic appeal. To aid the idea of uncluttered control, the instrument panel of the Griffith shall have a TFT display for providing the vehicle information instead of multiple analog gauges. The prototype also had large round control buttons surrounding the steering and a digital instrument panel which shall be equipped in the production car. At the center, a touch screen display with advanced infotainment is featured with smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity.
It's Powerful V8 Engine
TVR has had a long-standing relationship with Ford to power its vehicles, which shall continue for the new Griffith. This incredible sporting beauty will be powered by a newly developed 5.0-litre Cosworth naturally aspirated V8 engine sourced from Ford. The massive displacement of the V8 produces a gigantic 500 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque.
The engine shall be mated with a 6-speed Tremec Magnum XL manual transmission catering power to the rear wheels. This enormously powerful engine sprints the new Griffith from 0 to 62 mph in just four seconds with a top speed of 200 mph.
With its future plan of producing 2000 Griffiths every year, TVR is indeed eyeing a global expansion for its automobiles. Furthermore, TVR claims that the first 500 cars are already pre-booked, and the automaker has also expressed its interest in the hybridization of Griffith. The F1-inspired iStream technology, the powerful V8, and advanced aerodynamics shall surely give Griffith an edge over its competitors.