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TVR confirms carbon fibre specification for new sports car

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  • TVR has revealed further details of its new car and confirms carbon fibre specification of its new limited edition launch model
  • TVR will offer its first-ever, full-production, carbon fibre construction on its all-new sports car, which utilises pioneering techniques developed by legendary F1 and road car designer Gordon Murray
  • Using the revolutionary iStream® Carbon manufacturing process, the TVR will remain true to its lightweight and high-performance principles while leading the way with new design and manufacturing technologies
  • TVR will produce an exciting Launch Edition model with a carbon fibre chassis and offer it as a cost-effective option for subsequent orders
  • TVR’s product and launch programme will see at least four new models in the market over the next decade

21 January 2016: The iconic British sports car maker, TVR, has announced that carbon fibre construction options will be available when the car goes on sale in the coming months. TVR will offer a lightweight carbon fibre composite structure to feature on its latest full-production model, thanks to the revolutionary techniques of design legend Gordon Murray, and has confirmed that its initial limited edition production run of cars will feature carbon construction as standard.

Famous for his design leads in F1 and on road cars, Gordon Murray has developed an innovative ground effect aero chassis and body package using his innovative iStream® manufacturing methods. iStream® Carbon allows TVR to produce a revolutionary stand-alone tub and shell made from carbon fibre composite at a fraction of the cost that other methods allow.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “Historically, carbon fibre has been reserved for motorsport and high-end supercars, but now TVR will be offering customers a slice of that technology at a fraction of the price. The spotlight has been on us from the start, and with the help of Gordon Murray Design and its innovative processes, we have made sure that our new sports car can really shine and deliver beyond expectations. The carbon manufacturing process really is a game changer, and one I’m delighted to offer to all of our early adopter Launch Edition customers within the package cost. I am sure those models will be much coveted, but carbon will continue to be available as a cost option.”

Customers who have already placed a deposit will be delighted that all Launch Edition models made will be produced with the carbon fibre option. Subsequent cars produced will be available to be specified with the carbon fibre option package, with pricing to be confirmed. Both carbon fibre and the standard composite construction will be manufactured using iStream® design and manufacturing techniques, which simplifies the assembly process to allow greater flexibility as well as reducing cost and increasing the car’s safety and rigidity. 

TVR recently sent out an update to the 300+ deposit holders for the new car, which included details of the ‘no-cost’ carbon fibre chassis option.

Les Edgar continued: “The response has been fantastic. With deposits continuing to flow in, we will be looking to close the order book for the Launch Edition car shortly. Our intent is to unveil the styling of the new car in the coming months at a public event, although we will be conducting car clinics before then. There will be an opportunity for deposit holders to register interest if they would like to participate.”

Gordon Murray, Chairman of Gordon Murray Design comments: “From early on it became apparent that there was no reason why we couldn’t develop a carbon fibre chassis structure for the new TVR at a lower cost than manufacturing processes previously allowed. Our iStream® Carbon technology is the world’s first affordable, yet high volume, carbon fibre chassis and body structure and sets new standards in the automotive industry for chassis lightweighting, rigidity and safety. I am delighted that TVR is able to offer a carbon fibre option and bring the lightweight TVR principle back to life in a very exciting contemporary way.”

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EDITOR’S NOTES

1.      TVR is an independent British sports car manufacturer established in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson. The business established itself as a leading light in the British low-volume sports car market, building an international reputation for high-performance vehicles and innovative design. The current management team acquired the brand in 2013.

2.      Gordon Murray Design Limited is a British company operating from Shalford in Surrey. The Company is recognised as a world leader in automotive design and reverses the current industry trend for sub-contracting by having a complete in-house capability for design, prototyping and development. The Company is compact and focused and undertakes automotive and other engineering programmes in an efficient and innovative way. For more information please visit www.gordonmurraydesign.com.

3.      The iStream® assembly process is a complete rethink and redesign of the traditional automotive manufacturing process and could potentially be the biggest revolution in high volume manufacture since the Model T. Development of the process began over 15 years ago and it has already won the prestigious ‘Idea of the Year’ award from Autocar who were given privileged access in order to make their assessment. The simplified assembly process means that the manufacturing plant can be designed to be 20% of the size of a conventional factory. This could reduce capital investment in the assembly plant by approximately 80%. Yet the flexibility of this assembly process means that the same factory could be used to manufacture different variants. The iStream® design process is a complete re-think on high volume materials, as well as the manufacturing process and will lead to a significant reduction in full lifecycle CO2. For more information please visit www.gordonmurraydesign.com.

For more information on TVR, visit: www.tvr.co.uk

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