TVR's Radical 3.6 second Sagaris


New car designs are often dictated by how many units the automaker plans to sell - take the Ford Fiesta recently reviewed by resident rev heads Feann and Peter, as an example.

The design is meant to please a huge range of tastes from a diverse range of age groups from right across the globe, and while mainstream passenger car design is certainly moving forward at a steady rate, how often do you get taken aback by a boldly styled vehicle?

Engine goes here, wheels go there, then fill in the blanks in the most cost effective way with sheet metal. There's your car. It's Euro-chic, okay.

Take a car company like the British-based TVR, who build very small numbers of cars for very enthusiastic drivers.

Because of its smaller clientele, TVR can go to town with its vehicle design, and the latest model to roll off the marque's Blackpool production line is one such example of vehicle design that adheres to no guidelines, letting aerodynamics and artistic flair dictate its form.

The fact that the Sagaris accelerates to 100km/h from standstill in 3.6 seconds is another intriguing fact, but just look at those photos and try not to be taken aback. It's a sight for sore eyes and no mistake.

Some people love the look, and some wouldn't be caught dead in it, comparing to the Bat-Mobile among other things, most of which we can't publish.

A huge amount of vents, air intakes and holes in the bodywork give the Sagaris a very exotic, almost radical look, while the overall shape is traditional sportscar through-and-though - a long bonnet, pushed-back cockpit and short front and rear overhangs.

Finer styling cues appear somewhat odd at first, what with so many different curvatures spanning from the bonnet to the boot, but overall it is a very sweet looking automobile.

Small inlets underneath the headlights and those integrated into the front spoiler look great, while large 18-inch seven spoke rims fill out the wheel arches.

TVR's Sagaris is based on the T350, which was itself a well-disguised road-going racecar. So why build an even more agro version? Endurance racing.

Spend 12 hours at Le Mans or Bathurst, lap after lap in the Sagaris, and you'll be delighted that the TVR design gurus stuck as many cooling vents in the bonnet as they did.

Aerodynamic modifications for some endurance races are forbidden - another one of the reasons why the car looks so radical.

Things like the low ride height, clear rear wing and peculiar rear diffuser also improve downforce to racecar level at speed.

Compared to the T350, the Sagaris has a slightly wider track (and better grip) and scads of carbon fibre keep the kerb weight to an impressive 1100kg.

The Sagaris also gets a beefier powerplant than the T350. Sporting an all-aluminium 4.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine with a 7500rpm redline, hooked up to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Sagaris will hit 100km/h in 3.6 seconds. Ferrari's 360 Modena makes the same trek in 4.5 seconds.

Such blistering straight line speed comes about via the 3996cc straight six engine's 400bhp, but also thanks to superlative aerodynamics and that low kerb weight of 1100kg.

The radical looking TVR will eclipse 310km/h in perfect conditions, and the 4-valve per cylinder engine (borrowed from the Tuscan S) makes 294kW @ 7000rpm, and 420Nm of torque @ 5250rpm, making for a very powerful top end.

With Ferrari and Porsche-humbling acceleratory performance, TVR's hallmark minimalist interior appointments and styling the likes of which makes most exotica look dull, the Sagaris is one very thought-provoking sportscar.

The TVR Sagaris costs about £50,000 (€75,000) or $122,000 in Australian dollars and, even if you tack on another $20K for compliance and exportation costs, the $150,000 total will still be enough to trounce a Ferrari 360 Modena, the asking price for which is more than double: $369,500.