A future for TVR - UPDATED

The Blackpool era's over, but TVR is here to stay. That's the message from TVR boss David Oxley and owner Nikolai Smolenski, who say the firm's future is assured, and it's heading for good times, with a new 600bhp model due late this year. What's more, TVRs look set finally to get traction control and possibly airbags, too.

The proposed new TVR range will consist of the Tuscan, Tuscan convertible and Sagaris. Assembly is due to start in around April, with the intention of building 480 cars in 2007, but up to 5000 cars a year thereafter.

TVR is also planning a new Typhoon - as shown here in our exclusive gallery pictures - with 600bhp and a £100,000-plus price. Only 60 will be made, with the first cars being delivered later this year. It'll use a carbon monocoque and possibly carbon brakes.

Further in the future, there's a new Cerbera planned for 2010, and designed with help from the engineering and design departments of Manchester University.

Late last year TVR signed deals with Ricardo (near Cambridge) to supply engines and gearboxes and IM Kelly (Coventry) to supply trim, and it has now signed up to outsource body and chassis construction to Jimmy Price, a South African who already makes Nobles and Superformance Cobra replicas. Instead of heading to Blackpool, all components will go to Bertone for final assembly in Italy, as reported by Autocar last year.