For a quasi-dead brand, TVR seems to be in the news a lot recently. Late last month, a dealer group in America launched a used TVR branch specifically to import and sell the British sports cars to American buyers, capitalizing on the fact that most were never sold here new. Then, last week, the mythical TVR Speed 12, the 7.0-liter V12-powered road car concept shown by the brand but never put into production, made its first appearance after 25 years in hiding.
Now, there’s even bigger news in the world of TVR: It’s back from the dead. At least, that’s according to Charge Holdings, a low-volume manufacturer in the United Kingdom that claims to have just merged with the storied automaker, which hasn’t built a car since 2006.
The UK-based Charge Holdings describes itself as a “vertically integrated, low-volume automotive group that combines iconic performance brands, specialist suppliers, and advanced manufacturing capabilities under one umbrella.” You’ll best know them from the Charge Mustang, a recreation of Ford’s original ’67 fastback with electric power in place of internal combustion, released back in 2022.
The company said in a statement today it’s struck an agreement with TVR’s shareholders—a handful of investors led by video game tycoon Les Edgar—to take over the brand. From the release:
Today marks the first step in a multi-phased restructuring of TVR Automotive. Under the agreed framework, TVR Automotive will become a subsidiary of Charge Holdings Ltd as part of a phased merger and acquisition process designed to create a multi-brand, low-volume integrated automotive group.
[…]
The new structure will enable Charge Holdings and TVR to share intellectual property, engineering expertise, facilities, and leadership resources, creating a platform capable of scaling both brands and bringing a new generation of TVR vehicles to market.
That last bit about building new TVRs is obviously what I care about. Since 2016, the company has promised to build a new Griffith, complete with Gordon Murray engineering and a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 making 500 horsepower under the hood. Despite a swath of reservations for the car, production never materialized. Charge Holdings plans to change that:
While Charge Cars has developed extensive electric vehicle intellectual property, TVR’s immediate focus will remain on delivering the refreshed TVR Griffith to customers, continuing the marque’s legacy of high-performance internal combustion sports cars before expanding into new technologies in the future.
So, good news and not-so-good news, then. The good news is that the Griffith will, according to Charge, finally be built. What form it’ll take is unclear, though judging by the word “refreshed” in that statement above, it’ll probably be a bit different than the prototype shown in 2016. Personally, I wouldn’t mind if TVR built that car unchanged, though I understand if some buyers might want something with a bit more modernity.
The not-so-good news is Charge’s planned expansion into “new technologies.” According to Top Gear, that means expanding into “electrified” platforms following the Griffith. While I’m sure going electric will surely improve performance, I’m not sure there’s a TVR enthusiast on the planet who would want to buy an electric sports car. TVRs are known for their brash nature and wild internal combustion engines. Without the sound of a straight-six or V8 exhaust, could an EV be a proper TVR? I’m sure I’m not alone in saying I’d prefer if TVR remained a brand that sold cars with gas engines, so long as the law allowed.
Either way, we should know Charge’s plans soon. The company says it’ll release more info on TVR’s future in early 2026.
Top graphic image: Charge Holdings
The post It Sounds Like The UK’s Best Carmaker Is Coming Back, But Not The Way I Want appeared first on The Autopian.
