Performance Review: TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

TVR Speed 12 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 and the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12.This particular TVR Speed 12 has a 7730cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Speed 12 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Speed 12's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 1000 kgs (2204 lbs) this makes the TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The TVR Speed 12 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (814 bhp)

In terms of power the 7730cc 48V V12 engine produces 800 bhp (596 kW) @ 8250 rpm similar to the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (814 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (786 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 650 lb-ft (881.2 Nm) @ 5750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (664 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the TVR Speed 12 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12 (822.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR Speed 12.

The TVR Speed 12 has a Power to weight ratio of 800.0 bhp per ton and 650.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Speed 12 competing with the 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12 (822.4 bhp per ton) or the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 (800.0 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 Speed 12 generating around 650.0 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 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 (661.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Tesla Model S Plaid (656.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.0 secs, this made the TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 as fast as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs) the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs) the or the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs). This TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 is also faster than the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (3.00 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (3.00 secs) the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (3.00 secs) the and the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (3.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Speed 12 and the 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the TVR Speed 12 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 8.87 secs @ 154.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo (8.83 secs), the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2L V8 (8.83 secs), and the 2016 Audi A8 S8 Plus 4.0 V8 Turbo (8.83 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 has a maximum speed of 210mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Speed 12 equals the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 (221 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 then how about the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 (221 mph), the 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 6.5 V12 (221 mph), or the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 (221 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Speed 12 Rivals List.

A Brief History of TVR

Car Comparison