1992 TVR Griffith 4.3 Review and Performance Comparison

TVR Griffith Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1992 TVR Griffith 4.3 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the TVR Griffith 4.3 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.

This particular TVR Griffith has a 4280cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the TVR Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Griffith shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the Griffith's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1045 kgs (2303 lbs) places the TVR Griffith 4.3 in a similar weight category as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo and the excellent 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The TVR Griffith shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (300 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 4280cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 280 bhp (208 kW) @ 5500 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (300 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RZ High Performance Automatic (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 305 lb-ft (413.5 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 BYD Han L LiDAR Premium (310 lb-ft) or the 2025 BYD Han L LiDAR Flagship (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1992 TVR Griffith in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (292.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR Griffith.

The TVR Griffith has a power to weight ratio of 267.9 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1992 Griffith 4.3 means you're competing with the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (292.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2023 Mercedes GT GT 63 4MATIC+ (292.8 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The TVR Griffith 4.3 generates around 291.8 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2018 Mercedes GT R AMG Coupe 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (316.5 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2016 Mercedes GT R 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (316.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The TVR Griffith 4.3 can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.10 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.2 secs. Acceleration rivals to the TVR Griffith 4.3 include the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (4.10 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2024 BMW 2 Series M2 Bi-Turbo (4.10 secs).

The V 8 engine of the TVR Griffith 4.3 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (4.20 secs) and the 2024 BYD Tang AWD (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the TVR Griffith 4.3 and the Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 4Matic 2.0 Turbo

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1992 TVR Griffith can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.70 secs with a trap speed around 107.2 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 4Matic 2.0 Turbo (12.71 seconds @ 107.2 mph) and a close race between the BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 F06 (12.71 seconds @ 107.1 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1992 version of the TVR Griffith 4.3 has a maximum speed of 167mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 Griffith equals the Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1992 TVR Griffith 4.3 then there's the slightly slower the Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph) or how about the impressive Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 (166 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1992 Griffith Rivals List.
• 1992 Griffith: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of TVR
• Compare the 1992 TVR Griffith