2001 TVR Tuscan S 4.0 Review and Performance Comparison

TVR Tuscan Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2001 TVR Tuscan S 4.0 is a powered by a Petrol Straight 6. This variant of the TVR Tuscan S 4.0 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.

This particular TVR Tuscan has a 3996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the TVR Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Straight 6's include the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Tuscan shares its Petrol Straight 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the Tuscan's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1100 kgs (2425 lbs) places the TVR Tuscan S 4.0 in a similar weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 and the excellent 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6, give or take 50kg.

The TVR Tuscan shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Supra GR Lightweight EVO (382 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3996cc 32 valve, Straight 6 engine produces around 390 bhp (290 kW) @ 0 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Supra GR Lightweight EVO (382 bhp) and also the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated Straight 6 throws out 310 lb-ft (420.3 Nm) @ 0 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 2001 TVR Tuscan in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (378.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR Tuscan.

The TVR Tuscan has a power to weight ratio of 354.5 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2001 Tuscan S 4.0 means you're competing with the 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (378.9 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 6.5 V12 (378.9 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 Tuscan S 4.0 generates around 281.8 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 1970 Plymouth Barracuda 440 (306.8 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2014 Tesla Model S P85D (306.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The TVR Tuscan S 4.0 can accelerate 0–60mph in 3.90 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.0 secs. Acceleration rivals to the TVR Tuscan S 4.0 include the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Premium (3.90 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Automatic (3.90 secs).

The Straight 6 engine of the TVR Tuscan S 4.0 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) and the 2024 Maybach S 680 (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the TVR Tuscan S 4.0 and the BMW 5 Series M5 Competition 4.4 V8 F90

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2001 TVR Tuscan can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.56 secs with a trap speed around 117.8 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the BMW 5 Series M5 Competition 4.4 V8 F90 (11.57 seconds @ 117.7 mph) and a close race between the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster (11.57 seconds @ 117.7 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 2001 version of the TVR Tuscan S 4.0 has a maximum speed of 195mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Tuscan equals the NIO EP9 1MW (194 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 2001 TVR Tuscan S 4.0 then there's the slightly slower the NIO EP9 1MW (194 mph) or how about the impressive Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2001 Tuscan Rivals List.
• 2001 Tuscan: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of TVR
• Compare the 2001 TVR Tuscan