TVR Griffith production pushed back to 2020

TVR has confirmed it'll be 2020 before the hotly-anticipated Griffith enters production, as European Union rules around factory construction take their toll.

After targeting a 2017 on-sale date, the car's delivery date was pushed back to 2019. TVR Heritage Director, Paul Thompson, has confirmed to AutoRAI a market launch during 2020 is now on the cards.

"It takes more time than we expected to start production, thanks to the rules of the European Union," Thompson said.

Demand is there for the car though. Thompson was very clear the initial allocation of 500 vehicles has already been snapped up.

"We already have buyers for all these cars," he explained.

"We expect to be able to build the first 500 copies in twelve to fourteen months. That comes down to about ten cars a week. The production rate is later increased," he went on.

"That is quite possible because there is a lot of stretch in the production capacity. We can even build up to 1,500 to 2,000 cars on an annual basis."

As for why the car is being pushed back, TVR has a factory site ready to roll in Ebbw Vale in South Wales, but because the Welsh government is a three per cent owner of the brand, it needs to put work on the factory to tender around the European Union.

That's a seven month process that's only just been completed. Construction on the factory will take another six months, leaving TVR in a position described by boss Les Edgar as "frustrating".

When it does finally reach customers, the Griffith will be powered by a 5.0-litre Ford V8 engine good for a sub 4.0-second sprint to 100km/h. Kerb weight will be 1250kg, while top speed will be a neat 200mph (322km/h).

At 4314mm long and 1850mm wide, the car is more compact than an F-Type. It will also be a technological match for cars like the Jag, with proper traction control, ABS brakes, power steering and airbags.

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