Performance Review: TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

TVR 390 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 Ford RS200 1.8T 16V.This particular TVR 390 has a 3905cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 390 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 390's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1107 kgs (2440 lbs) this makes the TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The TVR 390 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3905cc 16V V8 engine produces 275 bhp (205 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 270 lb-ft (366.0 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the TVR 390 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR 390.

The TVR 390 has a Power to weight ratio of 248.4 bhp per ton and 243.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 390 competing with the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 991 (273.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the TVR 390 generating around 243.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Mastretta MXT 2.0 Turbo (268.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes CLS Class 55 AMG (268.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 390 and the 2012 BMW 1 Series M135i F20

When talking about the performance of the TVR 390 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.07 secs @ 104.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 BMW 1 Series M135i F20 (13.01 secs), the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (13.01 secs), and the 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged (13.02 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 has a maximum speed of 144mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 390 equals the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 then how about the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph), the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (155 mph), or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (155 mph).

Related Links:

1985 390 Rivals List.

A Brief History of TVR

Car Comparison