TVR

The TVR Speed Twelve

This is a very, very scary car. Sixteen times more powerful than a VW Polo, it accelerates faster than a jet fighter and is more expensive than most houses. it is, quite simply, a beast. And we have British sports car manufacturer, TVR to thank for.

Wheeled outside from the firm's Blackpool lair for the first time ever, the new Speed Twelve is the most awesome creation in TVR's 50-year history. And Motor Madness is so far the only Site to get a sneak preview of the machine set to become the world's fastest production car. By which I mean a car capable of charging to at least 24Omph, and accelerating from 0-60 mph in less than three seconds; the kind of all-out performance which will leave Mclaren's benchmark Fl trailing in its wake on road and race track - and firmly establish TVR's name across the globe in the process (Just in case there were any doubts about the British manufacturer's sports car pedigree!)

The driving force behind the Speed Twelve is TVR chairman Peter Wheeler who, as ever, has taken a hands-on approach by overseeing the initial idea, the design and engineering of both concept cars, and generally keeping the project running at the right pace. Much has changed since the Speed Twelve first appeared at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1996. The car you see here is the revised model which wowed crowds at the London Motor Show in October. Different to look at, and with a real interior and V12 engine, it's as close as we'll get to the real thing until TVR's third and final prototype, currently being built, undergoes shake-down testing in January.

And that promises to be a sight to behold. The force behind the devastatingly presented Speed Twelve is a 7.7 Litre, V12 unit with the power and torque that makes rival supercar engines look puny. If you don't believe me, read on: in unrestricted, roadgoing specification it produces 800 BHP at 7,25O rpm and 882Nm of torque at 5,75O rpm. I've never encountered such figures before. Which is not surprising given that TVR, true to its 'Spirit of Driving' slogan, intends the Speed Twelve to be the most outrageous car ever to take to the tarmac. Despite a price of £150,000, the order books are already starting to fill, according to spokesman Ben Samuelson: 'We're into double figures, which is excellent considering the car will be built at a rate of one a month, "he said: The first cars built will race in the FIA International GT Championship. Peter Wheeler and his staff are waiting to see which way next year's rules and regulations turn, but they intend to enter a factory-backed team against the big boys, including McLaren, Mereedes and Porsche.

After that daunting task the firm will concentrate on building a small number of road cars for a few priveleged buyers. And who are theselucky people with £150,000 to spend on a car? "We won't name names," said Samuelson, "but we have had a couple of buyers approach us saying their Ferrari F40 is getting long in the tooth or the lamborghini Diabio is too slow." However, it is believed those who have put down a hefty deposit include members of chart-topping rockers, The Prodigy, and, less surprisingly, the megarich, car-mad Sultan of Brunei.

The company admits to being pleasantly surprised by the interest expressed by TVR owners wishing to trade up, but stresses that Peter Wheeler will carefully vet all would-be buyers. Though the Speed Twelve may be a great publicity-generating machine, in the hands of the wrong driver it could make headlines of the lurid variety. Which is why every customer will undergo 'know how to handle your car' tuition on a track after taking delivery. They'll also benefit from a TVR's personalised build process. Each car is tailored to suit individual preferences, and buyers can visit the Blackpool factory to keep an eye on progress.

In case the wild paintjob on the car pictured here isn't to your liking, TVR offers 10,000 other shades to coat the fantastic bodywork For visual impact, nothing comes close to matching the Speed Twelve. On the open road, away from the closed confines of motor show stands, it looks more than capable of sucking in traffic at the front and spitting it out of the wide-bore exhaust pipes as pieces of shrapnel.

It's not only the array of scalpel-sharp slashes in the bodywork which grab your attention. Despite being so low, the sheer width of the Speed Twelve is enough to send shivers down your spine. If it looks this mean standing still, imagine how it will appear in your rear-view mirror as it bears down on you.

Climbing in the cockpit is not easy. The doors pop open when you press a button under the wing mirror, but they don't swing out far. On finished cars, the standard-fit, full race-specification roll cage will include extra side-impact protection bars, which will make graceful entries and exits even more difficult. Once you've dragged your legs up over the high side sill and slotted yourself tight in the racing seat, you have a good idea of what it must be like for drivers of the GT race cars. The dash, with a bank of minor dials registering fuel, temperature, mph and indicator arrows, is angled towards the driver who's wedged between the huge transmission tunnel and side sill, while staring back from behind the removable steering wheel is a big rev counter.

Although the roll cage is part of the structure, it is covered in softly-padded suede and blends discreetly into the background. Set against the black trim is contrasting polished aluminium onthe centre console and internal door release handles, but as far as creature comforts go, a stereo system and air-conditioning is your lot.

You won't be able to see the end of the bonnet, so parking may be more than a slight problem, but you are unlikely to worry about such everyday trivialities when you're strapped in the world's fastest production car. The pedal box, rather than the seat, is adjustable, allowing you to stretch out your legs into the long footwell. Despite this no-holds-barred set-up, drivers of all shapes and sizes should be able to get reasonably comfortable, and TVR has even provided another seat so it's not only the driver who experiences the ride of a lifetime.

Beneath the bulging bonnet sits the V12 powerhouse. Developed in-house, this 800 BHP steel block unit has four valves per cylinder and will be mated to a very special gearbox driving the rear wheels. At this stage, the company won't say what it will be, but claims that it's more than the usual six-speed manual affair, and a fitting testimony to TVR's engineering expertise.

The tubular chassis is built from a high-strength steel alloy, and features a fully rose-jointed double wishbone setup, of the kind reserved for race cars. This guarantees pin-sharp handling - but at the expense of ride comfort. Keeping all that power in check are the tyres 285/35 18s at the front and 345/35 18s at the back - that cost more than some cars. Behind the Speedline alloy wheels are AP racing brakes, but as with many of its GT rivals, the Speed Twelve will dispense with driver aids such as traction control and ABS. In which case, you'd be well advised to have your wits about you every time you climb behind the wheel.

But that is exactly how TVR wants it to be, and rightly so. After all, it would be pointless and disappointing to build the world's fastest car, make it as awesome to look at as this, and then have it drive like any run-of-the-mil hatchback.

TVR Speed Twelve (Still at prototype stage so details are vague)
Engine: 7.7 Litre, V12
Max Power: 800 BHP @ 7250 rpm (about 800 BHP per tonne)
Torque: 882 Nm @ 5750 rpm
0-60: 2.5 secs
Top Speed: 240+ MPH
Weight: 1000 Kg
Wheels: 18 inch Speedline 5 Spoke alloys
Tyres: Front; 285/35 18s, Back; 345/35 18s
Creature Comforts: Stereo, and air conditioning
Paint: 10,000 different shades on offer
Price: £150,000

TVR Chimaera
Engine: 5 Litre
0-60: 4.1 secs
Power: 240+ BHP
Top Speed: 167 MPH
Fuel Economy: 18 MPG
Weight: 1025 Kg
Price: £35,700

TVR Griffith 500
Engine: 5 Litre, V8
0-60: 4.1 secs
Weight: 1075
Power: 340 BHP
Top Speed: 167 MPH
Fuel Economy: 18
Price: £35,700

TVR Cerbera
Engine: 4.5 Litre
0-60: 3.9 secs
Weight: 1177 Kg
Power: 350 BHP
Top Speed: 170 MPH
Fuel Economy: 15
Price: £46,500