TVR Sagaris

At the British Motor Show last December, TVR released Sagaris, a modified T350 which looked more a prototype than a production car. About 25% of people immediately called it over the top, but the majority of people seem appreciate it. Described with a potpourri: xtreme, shark attack, dreadful, chainsaw, Le Mans, wacky, poison, hardnosed, anabolic, Quick Robin to the batmobile, daring, Max Power, Mike Tyson and visually dramatic.

With its radical aero-devices and aggressive expression, the TVR Sagaris screams latent power just standing still. The new looks comes with the car's concept: it is built up as a race car to comply with sporting regulations. In other words, its a 'pseudo' homologation special, with the weirdest Perspex spoiler we've ever seen.

But, really, what we have here is a wolf in wolf's clothes. Let me explain, under the skin, the Sagaris packs a bold punch, borrowing the mighty 400 bhp TVR Straight Six engine from the Tuscan S. Combing this power with the lightweight carbon fiber body, and developed chassis, Sagaris is one tight package. The chassis itself has a great lineage: Tuscan Speed 6 -> Tamora -> T350 -> Sagaris.

Sagaris' body is much wider and lower than the T350 from which is derives its overall shape. Many aerodynamic devices have been affixed: front slats reduce to wheelarch pressure, an oddball rear diffuser unlike any we've seen before, thermostatically controlled adjustable hood vents and many slashes/holes/lumps/bumps.

Whether or not the styling seen here is the completed article or not is unknown. So far only the stunning silver show car has been completed and it should be appreciated as a work in progress. While it is doubtful we will see large production of the Sagaris, TVR should be commended for throwing away the rulebook and creating a production-worthy car like none of us have seen before. And that is exactly what TVR want. They are not trying to appeal to everyone, and are more interested in producing distinct cars, in limited edition, that everyone talks about.