TVR T350

Overview

The T350 was the new coupe based on the running gear of the universally acclaimed Tamora. The concept was to apply TVR's expertise gained in motorsport to a road car, and both shape and engineering owe much to TVR's racing programme. It was intended to form the basis of a racing car for the new GT Cup class of the British GT Championship as well as for a number of overseas one-make race series. The T350 is available in two forms – the T350 C, where C stands for coupe, and the T350 T, for targa, which is the version with two removable carbon fibre panels overhead.

Function dominates form with the T350 and its motorsport application determines the way the car looks. As a result, every effort has been made to maximise downforce while minimising drag. The frontal area is very smooth without a central radiator intake which helps it punch through the air easily while the sharply cut off tail punctuates the airflow sharply to reduce drag. The sloping roofline at the back has been very precisely profiled to ensure that the airflow remains attached to the car in order to negate lift. Allied to a diffuser under the exhausts and a splitter at the front, the T350's shape has been optimised aerodynamically in a way that is simply impossible with a two-seater convertible.

The interior of the T350 is largely based on that of the Tamora and is all the better for that. It has the same analogue readout for speed and engine revs above a switchable multi-function display which gives the driver the fullest range of information from engine water and oil temperature, outside air temperature and battery volts to maximum and minimum values achieved (including maximum speed). A sports pack is available which offers extra readouts including lap times. With a typical hatchback opening over the large luggage area, the TVR T350 has benefits in terms of plenty of boot space with easy loading.

The T350 ultimately became the launchpad for the design for the TVR Sagaris which was a more extreme variant of the T350 design powered with the Tuscan S or Red Rose Speed Six engine.

The running gear is all relatively standard TVR Speed 6 based engineering with its chassis shared with its stablemates the TVR Tamora and the TVR Tuscan. Most parts are still available, although some electronic control units are not available and will need to be repaired if they become defective.

There are numerous upgrades available for this car and the more major ones are listed under the Upgrades tab.

Specification

Click to view the specification for each model

T350

Engine

6-cylinder inline alloy engine with 4 valves per cylinder and dry sump lubrication

Capacity

3605

Max Power

350 bhp @ 7200 rpm

Max Torque

290 ft.lbs @ 5500 rpm

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.4 seconds

0 -100 mph

9.5 seconds

Max Speed

175 mph

Suspension

All round independent – double wishbones and coil over gas dampers assisted by anti-roll bars

Braking

Front: 304mm ventilated disc brakes with 4 piston alloy callipers Rear: 282mm ventilated disc brakes with single piston sliding callipers

Steering

Power assisted rack and pinion

Wheels and Tyres

Front: 18 inch aluminium alloy wheels, 225/35 ZR18 tyres Rear: 18 inch aluminium alloy wheels, 235/40 ZR18 tyres

Our View

The T350 enjoys the performance its looks promise. It is propelled by the same 350 bhp version of TVR's Speed Six engine that has seen the Tamora decimate the competition in test after test by the motoring press. In the case of the T350, acceleration, top speed and handling have been helped by its aerodynamically superb shape as well as its lower weight and centre of gravity.

Manufactured from 2002 until 2006 it was available in both coupe and targa variants, the TVR T350C and TVR T350T. The TVR T350 design formed the basis for the TVR Sagaris, the final one of TVRs production cars.

In production for some five or six years, the Speed Six power unit is a tried and tested and has performed admirably in the hothouse environment of GT endurance racing including the Spa 24 hour race in 2002. In all variants, TVR's own engine has been designed with responsiveness in mind which is the reason for it having individual throttle butterflies per cylinder and an ignition and fuelling map specifically written to make revs rise and fall instantaneously.

Factory optional extras on T350s include Red Rose conversion, air-conditioning, 18” alloy wheels, close ratio gearbox, full hide interior, expensive paintwork and gas discharge headlights.

The TVR T350 is a sensible entry level TVR but ensure that you are buying a car with a good main dealer history including full service history. Typical problems to look out for on higher mileage examples are noisy engines, stiff clutch pedal with clutches typically requiring replacing every 18000-22000 miles, leaking shock absorbers and radiators can also leak. There was an upgrade to the cooling system from the TVR factory but not every T350 has had this fitted.

Brakes are generally good with the exception of the handbrake but the car definitely will benefit from a good set of shock absorbers such as Bilsteins or the fabulous adjustable ASTs from Racing Green and polyurethane suspension bushes make the car more predictable and cut down on a lot of ride noise.

There is more wind noise from the TVR T350T with the removable roof panels above about 80mph but apart from that the targa panels do make a surprising difference to the car when they are removed.

Racing Green TVR can resolve all problems with TVR T350s and also now offer numerous performance upgrades from engine management to high performance shock absorbers so please look at the Upgrade tag for further information on this fabulous sports car. Secondhand TVR T350s are now readily available in the used car market but superb examples are getting steadily harder to find. Racing Green TVR always aims to hold used T350s in stock, and can source a particular specification T350 to order if required. To book a test drive or enquire about T350's in stock please call our Sales Department on 01252 894790 or 01252 894795.