Tamora

The TVR Tamora was unveiled in 2001 as the replacement for the Chimaera, serving as the entry point into TVR's range. Named after the Shakespearean character Tamora from Titus Andronicus (TVR had a tradition of naming cars after mythological and literary figures), the car represented a new direction for TVR with its more compact dimensions and TVR's own engine. Peter Wheeler's styling gave the car a distinctive, almost retro-modern appearance with smooth curves and the characteristic lack of external door handles.

The Tamora was the first TVR to use the Speed Six engine, a 3.6-liter straight-six designed and manufactured entirely in-house at TVR's engineering facility. This engine produced 350 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque, figures that would have been exceptional in a car weighing twice as much. In the 1,050 kg Tamora, the result was extraordinary performance: 0-60 mph in approximately 4.2 seconds and a top speed of around 185 mph. The chassis used TVR's proven tubular steel backbone with fully independent suspension, and the five-speed manual gearbox was the only transmission option.

Despite being the "junior" TVR, the Tamora was praised for its more manageable dimensions and relatively civilized nature compared to the larger Tuscan and Cerbera. The ride quality was supple enough for daily use, the cabin was reasonably practical with a usable trunk, and the engine's torque spread made it less demanding than the higher-revving Tuscan. However, it remained a true TVR, with no power steering, ABS, or traction control, and a ragtop convertible roof that required manual operation.

The Tamora was produced in limited numbers, with approximately 420 cars built before TVR's financial difficulties curtailed production. Today, it is considered one of the more approachable TVRs from the Speed Six era, offering the in-house engine experience without the more extreme character of the Sagaris or Tuscan S. Values have been rising steadily as the model gains recognition as a well-balanced and genuinely exciting sports car. The Tamora's relative rarity and its status as the first Speed Six TVR give it collector significance beyond its position as the entry-level model.