TVR T350
(from TVR)
The T350 is a brand new coupe based on the running gear of the
universally acclaimed Tamora. The concept is to apply TVR's
expertise gained in motorsport to a road car, and both shape and
engineering owe much to TVR's racing programme. It is intended to
form the basis of a racing car for the new GT Cup class of the
British GT Championship as well as for a number of overseas one-make
race series. This car is available in two forms the T350C, where C
stands for coupe, and the T350T, for targa, which is the version
with two removable panels overhead.
Function dominates form with the T350 and its motorsport application
determines the way the car looks. As a result, every effort has been
made to maximise downforce while minimising drag. The frontal area
is very smooth without a central radiator intake which helps it
punch through the air easily while the sharply cut off tail
punctuates the airflow sharply to reduce drag. The sloping roofline
at the back has been very precisely profiled to ensure that the
airflow remains attached to the car in order to negate lift. Allied
to a diffuser under the exhausts and a splitter at the front, the
T350's shape has been optimised aerodynamically in a way that is
simply impossible with a two-seater convertible.
The interior of the T350 is largely based on that of the Tamora and
is all the better for that. It has the same analogue readout for
speed and engine revs above a switchable multi-function display
which gives the driver the fullest range of information from engine
water and oil temperature, outside air temperature and battery volts
to maximum and minimum values achieved (including maximum speed). A
sports pack is available which will have extra readouts including
lap times. With a side-opening hatchback above the large luggage
area, an unexpected advantage will also come in terms of plenty of
boot space with easy loading.
The T350 enjoys the performance its looks promise. It is propelled
by the same 350 bhp version of TVR's Speed Six engine that has seen
the Tamora decimate the competition in test after test by the
motoring press. In the case of the T350, acceleration, top speed and
handling have been helped by its aerodynamically superb shape as
well as its lower weight and centre of gravity. Now in production
for five years, the Speed Six is a tried and tested unit and has
performed admirably in the hothouse environment of GT endurance
racing including the Spa 24 hour race in 2002. In all variants,
TVR's own engine has been designed with responsiveness in mind which
is the reason for it having individual throttle butterflies per
cylinder and an ignition and fuelling map specifically written to
make revs rise and fall instantaneously.