 As
Chimaera is getting old and Rover V8 is running out, it is replaced by
Tamora. Like its predecessor, Tamora is designed to be the entry-level
car of TVR, that means cheaper, slower and easier to live with than
Tuscan
and Cerbera. However, for any car possesses 350 horespower and a kerb
weight
of 1050kg, we cannot call it slow, can we ? speed still means a lot to
TVR.
Tamora is essentially a detuned and simplified version of Tuscan. It shares virtually the same tubular frame chassis and even the same wheelbase. However, it is much narrower and has shorter overhangs. In addition to the funny styling, you might swear it must be a lot smaller than the Tuscan. Talking about styling, I am not a fan of this one. It occurs too fragile and unprofessional to me. Its Speed Six engine is also derived from Tuscan. Many people regard Tuscan’s 4-litre unit as too powerful for its lightweight, unsophisticated chassis, easily causing wheelspin if not driving it with full alert. Therefore perhaps it is better to detune it for use in Tamora. By de-stroking it to 3605c.c., the engine now produces 20 lbft less torque and 10 less horses. There are still 350 hp and 290 lbft in total, but now arrive at higher rev. In other words, the engine is less likely to scare the chassis at normal speed but you can still extract a lot of performance if you work hard on throttle. By then, you will experience 170mph+ and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Still enough to scare you, I think ?
What
prevent Tamora from really challenging Boxster is - instead of fun -
equipment
and build quality. In this respect, it remains pure TVR indeed. To
achieve
keener price and lower weight than Tuscan, TVR even replace the
Tuscan’s
elegant instrument reading with a pair of cannot-be-more-simple dials.
Of course, words such as ABS, EBD, BA, TC, ESP and DSC have no
relationship
at all with this car. You can only find the word TVR on its bonnet.
|
| The above report was last updated on 20 Oct 2001. All Rights Reserved. |
Tamora
also handles with more confidence than any other TVRs. Its suspension
setting
and choose of tyres hit the right balance between handling and ride
comfort.
Its revised steering geometry is less nervous and aggressive as Tuscan
at turn-in. Its calmer engine is less prone to oversteer the car, so
the
tail is better tie down to ground. Although it will never be developed
to be as fool-proof as Porsche Boxster, it is still enjoyable to drive
in daily basis. The controls are not as well tuned as the Porsche. The
balance and brakes are also not there yet. But adding performance
factor
into the equation and it is not crazy to choose the TVR over Boxster S,
even though they are close in price. Before the Boxster get more power,
many sports car enthusiasts will see the baby TVR as the most fun to
drive
in class. 
Imagine
if Tamora / T350C is equivalent to Porsche 911 Carrera, then Sagaris
will be 911 GT3 RS. In other words, it is far more hardcore than the
Tamora / T350C.
Although still suitable for road use, its main purpose is on race
tracks, where you will see the Sagaris goes and corners significantly
faster than Tamora and T350C. 
The
Sagaris has the standard 350 horsepower 3.6-litre Speed Six
replaced with the 4.0-litre version used in
the top Tuscan. With 12.2:1 compression, forged aluminum pistons and
forged steel con-rods, it produces 406 horsepower
and 349 lbft of torque. That makes it more powerful than Tuscan S and
only less than the 440-horsepower Tuscan R (T440R). Because the
Sagaris weighs just 1078 kg, it has a power to weight ratio higher
than Ferrari F430, Ford GT, 911 GT2 etc, though slightly less than
Noble M400 - another track-biased British sports car. 
Anyway,
once the car is rolling, the acceleration is breathtaking. The car
feels light (it is) and responsive. A quicker-shifting 5-speed
gearbox and better positioned clutch and throttle pedals makes the
Sagaris more intimate to drive, as is the 2.0-turn, quick and
communicative steering. The enlarged brakes are powerful enough for
using in track days. Everything seems positive.