1998 TVR Speed 12 - Images, Specifications and Information

The reason that the TVR Speed 12 never really got on the road is that the company couldn't get a gearbox that could reliability handle the torque generated by the engine. (Without being an unsuitable truck unit, source Peter Wheeler interview, Evo magazine) Additionally there are also problems with stumping up development funds for what would have been a very limited production run. However on the Plus side they have developed the TVR Typhoon which is a 500bhp+ variant of the TVR Tuscan (via TVR440R) which is Pagani Zonda fast for �78,000. As for the 0-60 time being estimated as greater than the Mclaren F1. The 0-60 time is controlled by more than just power to weight, traction off the line is just as important and I would expect the Mclaren F1 would be benefiting from the mid-engined layout when it comes to traction off the line.

Thankyou Gran Turismo 2

Chumpsteak
18-7-2003

I too found out that this car existed through GT2. Its just a symptom of the media apathy surrounding all TVRs bar the Tuscan speed 6. I didn't know about the Tuscan R either until I checked out TVRs website. We need more Speed 12 pics on this site though. Front-on is by far the least flattering angle to see it from.

why not produced

pooh
19-6-2003

the 12 speed was not produced apparently according to one of the developers the air intake at the front of the car was biggar than a small child and if one was to be runover then it would become trapped in the vent and surely die

7.7L V12... more than 800 horsepower?

Mr b00st
7-4-2003

I read in a recent issue of EVO, that the SPeed 12's V12 made more than 940 horsepower, totally insane! too bad, the Cerbera speed 12 is out of production.

An angel with the heart of a beast

ram26014
29-3-2003

I love the Speed12, it's hard to believe that 2 years ago I had never heard of the Speed12 or even TVR as a matter of fact. It's sad to say but I learned of it from a video game called GT2, and fell in love as soon as I saw it. When I started to do research on to my love grew and it's the reason I found this web site. The Speed12 is an amazing machine and is a good example that you can do anything and that nothing is impossible.

The Best Car Out There

nxbrennan
24-3-2003

The Speed 12 concept version, I think, is singularly the best car ever made. The engine is a feat of engineering...unlike most other supercar engines, this one is able to generate 100 BHP/L. I think if the engine your going to use on your car cant get that kind of ratio w/o turbo or supercharging, its definitely not very advanced. The looks are unbelievably good, and my only gripe about the whole car is that there does not seem to be much in the way of aerodynamics to create downforce. When you have 800 HP and its an FR layout, you need a lot of that to keep the car under control.

Trevor indeed

Supercharged
23-1-2003

"Yup your all right TVR DOES stand for trevor,infact i had a huge argument with one of my mates over wot TVR stands for...my mate being a ""MR know it all"" type thought TVR meant Thames Valley Racing!!!!!.....lol and when i told him it meant trevor he wouldnt belive me!! even when i pointed out that TVRs headquarters are in blackpool and no where even remotely near the thames valley! Anyways enuff about him, on a more serious note ive been going to different website doing a bit of research about this car, and the thing that bothers me is that all the other websites state that the 0-60 time of the speed12 is 2.9secs where as this website says 3.5! Surely with 800bhp and jus 1000kg to haul it around town the speed12 must be capable of havin a sub 3sec 0-60 time? i wanna know the tru readin for its acceleration, personally i beleive it is capable of doing 0-60 in under 3 sec ,because it has the best power to weight ratio out of all the current supercars"

Trevor

henk4
7-1-2003

The guy's name actually is Trevor Wilkinson, and he started building cars way back in 1947. Al along its history the TVR company had some up's and down's but the name survived not unsimilar to the career of the name Marcos. See for a brief history www.tvrbodyshop.co.uk

FR Vs MR

Hakk
7-1-2003

It is not point to try compare a FR (TVR) with a MR (McLaren)...It is easy to believe that the McLaren is better in handling as the TVR...I love both of these cars as well as Ferrari F40...Both the three of them are perfect in looking, fast to drive and exciting to drive! (I don't know the handling of TVR but I think it is good ha?As it was for racing...)

Name

Hunter
7-1-2003

"Yeah, funny story about the name TVR actually, and even funnier that I was talking about it today with my boss. The makers name is Trevor...and he wanted to name the cars Trevor...and when he approached the idea to his mates, they said it was shit and that how would you feel going up to a person and saying ""hey, I drive a Trevor"". So Trevor thought about it and no matter what he wanted his name to be part of the car name, so he came up with TVR (TreVoR) Nice story huh, I just hope it's true :)"""

TVR Speed 12 vs. McLaren F1

cookieman2764
6-1-2003

This is one of the most powerful cars I've heard of...very good rival for the McLaren F1! It definatly looks more exotic and performs just as well as the McLaren F1. I just got a model of it and thats when I saw that the instrument panel wraps to the side of the drivers seat, creating a wall inbetween the driver and passenger seats! It's a shame only 2 were made. Um...Does anyone know what TVR stands for?

Tragic

Propercarnut
2-10-2002

One of the world's great tragedies that project 12/7 never came into existence. Sure it's been integrated with the Cerbera's weaker, less advanced chassis, but it's lost the spirit it once had. I worked on parts of the design for the Speed 12, and it's structural rigidity was awesome. Part of the initial briefing, before the engine potential was fully realiseed, was that this had to be ridiculously strong and stiff. It was designed originally for racing of course, but even the road car had to be just as stiff. The original show car at the Birmingham motorshow was nothing like a working model. It sat in Blackpool for many months, weeds growing over it. It was literally a shell with wheels, and since it was made out of fibreglass, it's purple vibrance never changed, even after those months in the elements. There were only ever two working models of the Speed 12 concept, one of which was never admitted to exist, as it had the original engine fitted, and while it was more powerful, its endurance was limited. The second car, slightly more advanced, was used in testing by TVR and independent testing personel, who tested the performance of the vehicle. It was never driven at full speed. The 240mph top speed is only an estimate, calculated by engine speed and gear ratios etc, but it was joked about by the design and engineering teams that it would probably do 250mph. That's 400kph. I know for a fact that it would do 200mph very easily. It could get to 200mph in less than 30 seconds as well (my own rough timing based on personal viewing). This would obliterate even the McLaren F1. However, the racing model was cancelled due to restrictions placed by the FIA. Even the Cerbera Speed 12 today is held back by a massive burden of air restrictors. It's power is reduced to 750bhp absolute maximum. Any more and the heat would be too great, and the fuel mixture would reduce engine performance. A very sad fact, but that engine could quite happily be tuned further to a reliable 1,000bhp.

Correction, Deuginthesky...

IBrake4Rainbows
24-9-2002

they didn't make this car because the class of racing which they were going to race it in was cancelled, and sop the car became obsolete, the Cerbera Speed Twelve came about a few years later, as a spin off.

Owners?

Jonboy
16-9-2002

This guy owns a Cerbera Speed Twelve? I didn't think TVR had made any customer deliveries yet. Very cheap compared to the McLaren F1 at, what, nearly �200,000?

what a beast

sick_machines
20-8-2002

any machine that can got that fast is obviosly a beast fortunatly i own one of the new speed twelves and believe me they can get up to 100kmph in 3.5 secs i would like to race some one that owns a mclaren f1 beacause i know i would beat them because my v12 would cain n e thing so cheers and well done to TVR on their well built machine. from sick_machines p.s. im lookin to sell it so anyone that wants to buy it or just get piccies of it i would be more than happy to send you pictures e-mail me on [email protected] cheers catch ya

BEAUTIFUL!

spd12luver
20-8-2002

By far THE BEST looking front engined car ever!!! I hope to own one some day!

answer.

deuginthesky
7-8-2002

They didn't put it in production because they made the Cerbera Speed 12.

y ??????not

saumik_
7-8-2002

y didnt tvr put this car into production 7.7 ltrs 800!!!!!!bhp top speed above 240mph i think i would have been a winner altough i hate the desigh it looks ugly