Is TVR coming back? Bentley Supersports - The most exciting statement in recent years? | Emergency Podcast
About this episode
Excitement brews as TVR's potential comeback is discussed following a merger announcement. The hosts reminisce about their personal experiences with TVR cars, particularly the Chimera, and debate the future of the brand, including plans for a new Griffith model and electric versions. The conversation shifts to Bentley's new Continental Super Sports, highlighting its impressive specs and ambition to redefine the brand as a performance-focused manufacturer. The episode is filled with nostalgia, speculation, and insights into the evolving automotive landscape.
Download Car & Classic’s app today to see our 2CG’s, and our weekly pick of our favourite listings: https://candc.li/App_Download_
Today we have an emergency podcast! You might be asking yourself – are these really emergencies, or do the team just love chatting? Either way, we’ve got a double issue pod today – the potential return of TVR, and the statement that is the Supersports from Bentley. We hope you enjoy!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tvr Chimera
"Yeah, just before we got married. It's a TVR Chimera four litre in curatin green with biscuit and powe..."
The TVR Chimaera is a fast, British car from the late 90s with a big V8 engine that looks like a racing machine and was made in very few numbers.
The TVR Chimaera is a limited‑run British sports car produced from 1995 to 2000, featuring a powerful V8 engine and a lightweight chassis. It’s known for its aggressive styling and high performance, though it suffered from reliability issues that limited its appeal.
TVR Chimera four litre
"It's a TVR Chimera four litre in curatin green with biscuit and power steering."
The TVR Chimera is a small, fast car made in the UK. It has a 4‑liter V8 engine that gives it a lot of power for its size.
The TVR Chimera is a lightweight, high-performance sports car produced by the British manufacturer TVR. The "four litre" refers to its 4.0‑liter V8 engine, which delivers strong power and a distinctive exhaust note.
power steering
"It's a TVR Chimera four litre in curatin green with biscuit and power steering."
Power steering helps you turn the wheel more easily, so you don't have to push hard when driving.
Power steering is a hydraulic or electric system that assists the driver in turning the wheel, reducing effort especially at low speeds.
Goodwood Circuit
"That is Goodwood before it became Goodwood as we know it."
Goodwood Circuit is a race track in England where people drive fast cars and watch racing events. It’s well known among car lovers.
Goodwood Circuit is a historic motor racing track in West Sussex, England, famous for hosting events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the British Touring Car Championship.
Peter Wheeler
"It's just been part of our lives and you know, Peter Wheeler and all of that stuff"
Peter Wheeler makes custom sports cars that look like Porsche 911s but are built by a small company in the UK.
Peter Wheeler is a British automotive designer and manufacturer known for building high-performance sports cars based on Porsche 911 chassis.
Rover VA engine
"And there'd be another mad car with a bigger Rover VA engine"
The Rover VA engine is a small four‑engine that was used in some older Rover cars.
The Rover VA engine is a 2.0‑liter, four‑cylinder powerplant used in various Rover cars during the 1990s.
TVR Automotive
"I looked at TVR Automotive's last registered accounts. And for the year ended 2024, when you look at cash and bank balances as of year ended 30 June 2024, it's actually zero and no money at all."
TVR Automotive is a car company from the UK that makes small, fast sports cars. In 2024 they didn't have any money in their bank accounts.
TVR Automotive is a British automotive company known for producing lightweight sports cars and motorbikes. The company has faced financial challenges, as indicated by its zero cash balance in the 2024 accounts.
Griffith
"Wasn't that called a Griffith? It was."
The Griffith is a special car made by designer Gordon Murray. It’s famous for being very light and fast.
The Griffith is a concept car designed by Gordon Murray, known for its lightweight construction and aerodynamic styling.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
"2016, 17, it was shown at Goodwood."
Goodwood Festival of Speed is a big car event in England where drivers race up a hill on a special track.
An annual motorsport event held at Goodwood Circuit in England, featuring historic and modern cars competing on a hill climb course.
Mustang V8 engine
"Ford V8 in it, Mustang V8 in it."
The Mustang V8 is an engine that makes the Ford Mustang very fast.
The Mustang V8 is a powerful eight-cylinder engine produced by Ford for its iconic Mustang sports car.
Ford It Mustang
"2016, 17, it was shown at Goodwood. Ford V8 in it, Mustang V8 in it. So maybe they're just dusting off that one."
The Ford Mustang GT is a fast American car with a big V8 engine that looks like a classic muscle car but is built for modern roads.
The Ford Mustang GT is a high‑performance variant of the iconic American muscle car, featuring a powerful V8 engine and aggressive styling. It has become a staple of the modern muscle car revival, offering both speed and iconic design.
Tvr Griffiths
"...and and then you go on car and classic and the 17 TVR Griffiths and you can buy the best one, original one for 3..."
The TVR Griffith is a small, fast British car from the 70s and 80s that looks like a racing machine and was made in limited numbers.
The TVR Griffith is a lightweight British sports car produced from 1976 to 1988, known for its distinctive styling and powerful V8 engines. It’s celebrated among collectors for its raw driving experience and limited production numbers.
Mercedes 500e
"it's a bit like, what other cars like this? A Mercedes 500e,"
It’s a fancy, fully electric car made by Mercedes that can go very fast and is very expensive.
The Mercedes-Benz 500e is a high‑performance, all‑electric version of the classic 500 model, known for its luxury and powerful electric drivetrain.
Fiat 500e
"...a bit like, what other cars like this? A Mercedes 500e, when you, or a Porsche 928, exactly. I was, I w..."
The Fiat 500e is a small, electric car that looks like the classic Fiat 500 but runs on batteries instead of gasoline.
The Fiat 500e is an all‑electric version of the iconic Fiat 500 city car, introduced in 2013. It combines retro styling with modern electric technology, offering a compact and efficient urban driving experience.
Porsche 928
"...ke this? A Mercedes 500e, when you, or a Porsche 928, exactly. I was, I was, but I did get my money ba..."
The Porsche 928 is a big, powerful car from the late 70s and 80s that could drive fast but also had a comfortable ride, like a mix of a sports car and a luxury sedan.
The Porsche 928 is a grand tourer produced from 1978 to 1995, notable for its front‑engine, rear‑wheel drive layout and a distinctive V8 powerplant. It bridged the gap between Porsche’s sports cars and luxury sedans, offering both performance and comfort.
Porsche 911
"I'd rather drive a 911. And that's, but that just goes on and on and on, like a sort of,"
It’s a very famous, fast car made by Porsche that people love to drive.
The Porsche 911 is a legendary sports car known for its rear‑engine layout, distinctive shape, and high performance across many generations.
restomod
"There's that company that does the sort of restome, not restome mods, but they do everything..."
A restomod is when people take an older car and give it new parts like better brakes, engines, or electronics so it feels newer but still looks the same.
A restomod is a vehicle that has been modernized with contemporary technology while preserving its original design and character. Restomods often include upgraded engines, suspension, brakes, and electronics.
Mustang 67 electric Mustang
"[780.8s] ...the people who created this Mustang 67, the electric Mustang..."
It’s a new electric car that looks like the famous Ford Mustang but runs on batteries instead of gasoline.
The Mustang 67 is a concept electric version of Ford’s iconic Mustang, featuring an all‑electric powertrain and modern design cues that echo the classic muscle car heritage.
Morgan
"Morgan's have BMW engines. You know, thanks for portraying this as a quaint little English firm..."
Morgan makes small, stylish cars that look like old‑time sports cars. They usually use engines made by other companies instead of building their own.
Morgan Motor Company is a British manufacturer known for hand‑built, classic‑style sports cars that often use engines from larger manufacturers.
electric vehicle
"I'm sure the business plan is about electric. You're not going to buy a mark now and start thinking I'm going to sell"
An electric car uses batteries for power instead of gasoline. It’s cleaner and can be cheaper to run.
An electric vehicle (EV) runs on electricity stored in batteries, eliminating the need for gasoline or diesel fuel and reducing emissions.
V8
"V8 TVRs for the next 10 years. You're probably saying I've got a short window where I can sell"
A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders that gives cars a lot of power and a deep growl.
A V8 engine has eight cylinders arranged in a V shape, providing strong power and torque.
electric TVR
"And then I'm going to do electric. And then I suppose what does an electric TVR mean? Because"
An electric TVR would be a car from the TVR brand that runs on batteries instead of gasoline, offering fast speed without exhaust fumes.
An electric TVR would be a fully electric version of the brand’s sports cars, combining performance with zero emissions.
TVR
"TVR thing that we saw was quite an attractive machine, but I just thought it was completely wrong."
TVR makes small, fast cars that are popular with car lovers who like something different from mainstream brands.
TVR is a British sports car manufacturer known for lightweight, high-performance vehicles that often feature unique styling and powerful engines.
Rover V8 engine
"the really exciting bit is that all Peter Wheeler could get hold of was really sort of Rover V8s and his own AJV8, right?"
This is a big, powerful engine that was made by the British company Rover and used in some SUVs.
The Rover V8 is a 4.6‑liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine originally developed by Rover and later used in various Land Rover models.
AJV8 engine
"and his own AJV8, right? Was it AJP?"
This is a special version of the Rover V8 engine that was made by Peter Wheeler for his own cars.
The AJV8 is a 4.6‑liter V8 engine developed by Peter Wheeler for use in his custom sports cars, based on the Rover V8 architecture.
Chevrolet Camaro
"but now, you know, the Camaro that I owned had an LS7 in it"
The Camaro is a popular sports car from Chevrolet that people often upgrade for more power.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid‑sized American muscle car known for its performance and aggressive styling.
simple cars
"...TVR are simple cars. They're a pint of Guinness on four wheels..."
Simple cars are easy to drive and maintain because they have fewer parts and less complicated systems.
The idea of 'simple cars' refers to vehicles with straightforward, lightweight designs that prioritize driving enjoyment over complex technology.
Shelby Cobra
"...es up. It's a bowl of chicken soup. It's a modern Cobra. Yes, exactly. That's all you need. And I think ..."
The Shelby Cobra is a fast, classic American car from the 1960s that looks like a racing machine and was built to win races.
The Shelby Cobra is a legendary American sports car from the 1960s, built by Carroll Shelby with a lightweight chassis and a powerful Ford V8. It’s celebrated for its racing pedigree and iconic design, making it a symbol of American muscle and engineering prowess.
BMW Z3M
"...And I think that, you know, I felt that with that Z3M Roadster I there aren't simple, muscley roadster..."
The BMW Z3 is a small, open‑top car from the late 90s that handled well and was known for its sporty feel.
The BMW Z3 is a lightweight roadster produced from 1995 to 2002, featuring a front‑engine, rear‑wheel drive layout and a range of inline‑four engines. It’s praised for its handling dynamics and was the predecessor to the more famous Z4.
quad turbo V6
"If I see that it's going to have four-wheel drive and it's going to have a quad turbo V6, no, it's not. It's got to be."
A quad turbo V6 is a six-cylinder engine that uses four small turbochargers to make it very powerful.
A quad-turbo V6 engine uses four turbochargers to boost the power output of a six-cylinder engine, delivering high performance.
four-wheel drive
"If I see that it's going to have four-wheel drive and it's going to have a quad turbo V6, no, it's not. It's got to be."
4WD means the car can send power to all four wheels, which helps it grip better on bad roads or off-road.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain that sends power to all four wheels simultaneously, improving traction in slippery or uneven conditions.
TVR Cerberas
"...t shouldn't be. Was it a coupé? The hard top, the Cerberas, for me, were a little bit like being in prison...."
The TVR Cerbera is a fast, British car from the late 80s and early 90s with a big V12 engine that looks like a racing machine.
The TVR Cerbera is a high‑performance British sports car produced from 1988 to 1995, featuring a powerful V12 engine and a lightweight chassis. It’s revered for its aggressive styling and raw driving experience, though it suffered from limited production and reliability issues.
five speed gearbox
"They don't even have to make it a six speed gearbox. It doesn't have to be that complicated and you're laughing with a manual roof."
A five-speed gearbox lets you choose one of five gears to match how fast you’re going and how much power the engine needs.
A five-speed gearbox is a manual transmission with five forward gear ratios, allowing the driver to select appropriate power and speed.
manual roof
"You're laughing with a manual roof. The challenge really is what is it?"
A manual roof is a convertible top you open or close by hand, not with a button.
A manual roof refers to a convertible top that is lowered or raised by hand, rather than using an electric motor.
Veron
"custard yellow cabriolet with the name optional hi-fi and the Veron seats."
Veron makes special seats and interior parts that are used in luxury cars. They’re known for their quality and style.
Veron is a high‑end automotive upholstery and interior design company that supplies custom seats, trim, and accessories for luxury vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz
"We're going to nick some bits from our cousins in Stuttgart, and we're going to..."
Mercedes-Benz makes cars that are known for being reliable, safe, and sometimes very fast. They’re a big German brand with many different models.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automaker renowned for its engineering excellence, safety features, and a wide range of vehicles from luxury sedans to performance models.
500 kilos lighter weight reduction
"And I think, I mean, 500 kilos lighter. It's"
If a car is 500 kilos lighter, it means it's much lighter than before. Lighter cars can go faster and use less gas because they have less weight to push around.
Reducing a vehicle's weight by 500 kilograms (about 1,100 pounds) can significantly improve performance, fuel efficiency, and handling by decreasing mass that the engine must move.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.