Somewhat more successful was an “in-between” TVR that neatly bridged the price-and-performance gap between the V-8s and the Cortina-powered Vixen. Introduced in October 1969 as the Tuscan V6, it was basically a TVR Vixen with a Ford Britain’s fine 60-degree 3.0-liter “Essex” V6 and 4-speed gearbox; that was a drivetrain already seen in such diverse places as the British Ford Capri “ponycar” and Zephyr/Zodiac sedans, the Reliant Scimitar GTE sportswagon, and the odd-looking Marcos GT. The car had front discs and rear drums. The V-6 delivered 136 bhp (versus the Vixen’s 88) and had a very lusty torque curve.
Transmission: Salisbury differential and final drive unit used in the Tuscan V8 unlike the four cylinder Vixens that used smaller differentials from BMC or Triumph. Suspensions: Double wishbone, coil springs. Dimensions: lenght 3.683 mm, width 1.626 mm, height 1.219 mm, wheelbase 2.286 mm. Weight: about 910-930 kilos.
Still, there must have been something about these vee-engine TVRs that turned off potential buyers, for the V6 didn’t sell as well as it deserved. Yet magazine road tests showed a top speed of near 125 mph, brisk acceleration, and surprising fuel economy (about 28 mpg U.S.). The price at launch was 1,930
Nevertheless, production stopped in early 1971 at just 101 units, most of which remained in Britain.
Grande alvise! Un saluto da un ex-autoblog, gran bel blog questo. Me lo sono bookmarkato.