TVR Griffith

The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, is a sports car designed and built by TVR, starting production in 1991, and ending production in 2002. The Griffith name appeared again on a sports car introduced under a revived TVR brand in 2017.

TVR Griffith
TVR Griffith (first generation)
Overview
ManufacturerTVR Motor Company Limited
TVR Automotive Limited
Production
  • 1991–2002
  • 2018–present[1]
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Layout

First generation (1991–2002)
First generation
TVR Griffith 500
Overview
ManufacturerTVR Motor Company Limited
Production1991–2002 (2351 produced)[2]
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

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)
4.03,950240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS)270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) at 4000 rpm245 km/h (152 mph)4.712.1
4.0 HC3,950 Hi-Lift Cam275 hp (205 kW; 279 PS)305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m)254 km/h (158 mph)4.712.1
4.34,280280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS)305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m) at 4000 rpm254 km/h (158 mph)4.611.3
4.54,495285 hp (213 kW; 289 PS)310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)254 km/h (158 mph)4.6
5.04,988340 hp (254 kW; 345 PS)350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m) (320 lb⋅ft (434 N⋅m) with catalyzer)272 km/h (169 mph)4.110.5

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
  • Interior
  • 4.0 L V8 engine

Second generation (2020–)
Second generation
TVR Griffith at NEC Classic Car Show in Birmingham 2017
Overview
ManufacturerTVR Automotive Limited
Production2020 (expected)
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 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[lower-alpha 1] 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, making it a proper driver's car, 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 aluminum and carbon fibre components, which improves handling. Design elements, such as large front air intakes, front splitter, and rear integrated diffuser help in increasing aero dynamics, while the double side exhausts and a double bubble roof add to the car's purposeful look. Inside the car, a driver-focused setup is kept in mind, with a digital instrument cluster providing useful information, and minimum controls present on the steering wheel and dashboard. 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] The launch date is now early to mid-2020 due to European Union regulations. As the Welsh government owns 3% of TVR, it is required to solicit bids for the factory renovations across all the EU, which has delayed commencement of production.[9]

Production by year

[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
  • 2020: To be started

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

References
  1. "TVR Griffith begins production again". Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. "TVR official production numbers". Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. "1991–2002 TVR Griffith specifications". Auto Evolution. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  4. Griff Growl
  5. "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". Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  8. "TVR Griffith". TVR. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  9. "TVR Griffith Delayed Until 2020 Due To EU Regulations". carscoops.com.
  10. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=647743&mid=0&i=0&nmt=How+many+tvr+griffiths+were+made+%3F&mid=0
  11. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=647743&mid=0&i=20&nmt=How+many+tvr+griffiths+were+made+%3F&mid=0
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